Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a modern platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a large CPA firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition, best-of-breed technology, a catalytic leadership system, shared back-office services, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges and reach their full potential. Founded in January 2023, the company attained revenues sufficient to qualify it as a Top 100 U.S. accounting firm within six months of operation. For more information, visit ascendtogether.com.
As of May 2026, Jackson Thornton has joined the Ascend network.
Find Your Home with Jackson Thornton!Jackson Thornton, an accounting and consulting firm, was established in Montgomery, Alabama, on March 3, 1919. From our beginning, the firm has operated with personal integrity and professional excellence while evolving and expanding to provide more of what businesses need- whether strategic planning, business consulting, technology consulting or specialized industry services. Jackson Thornton has grown to serve clients in six locations throughout Alabama with a team of more than 200 professionals and is looking to welcome more driven, client-focused individuals to the firm.
Jackson Thornton is looking for an Audit Manager to be responsible for the overall management of audit engagements within the utility industry practice and serve as a trusted advisor to utility clients, providing guidance on accounting, compliance, and regulatory matters. This role oversees multiple engagements simultaneously, manages client relationships, ensures technical accuracy, mentors audit supervisors and staff, and requires advanced technical expertise, strong leadership, and the ability to balance quality, efficiency, and client service.
As an Audit Manager, you will:
- Manage audit engagements from planning through report issuance for utility clients
- Serve as the primary client contact for management, boards, and audit committees
- Review audit plans, work papers, internal control documentation, and financial statements
- Apply and interpret RUS and FERC Uniform System of Accounts
- Oversee and review Single Audits, including risk assessment and compliance reporting
- Identify and resolve complex accounting and auditing issues related to utilities
- Mentor, coach, and evaluate audit supervisors and staff
- Coordinate with partners on engagement strategy, budgeting, and staffing
- Assist with proposals, client retention, and practice development
The ideal candidate will have:
- CPA with 5+ years of public accounting audit experience
- Significant utility industry experience (electric, telecom, water/wastewater, natural gas)
- Strong background working with cooperatives and municipal utilities
- Advanced knowledge of RUS and FERC USOA
- Single Audit experience
- Proven engagement management and client leadership skills
- Experience mentoring and developing audit teams
Jackson Thornton offers a comprehensive, competitive benefit package to all of our professionals, which includes health, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, long term and short term disability plans, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, paid time off plan, and a 401(k) plan with a match.
How to ApplySubmit your information in the application section directly below! This will include:
- Basic contact information
- Resume/CV and optional cover letter upload
- Work eligibility and compensation
- Voluntary demographic & self-ID questions
For further questions or inquiries about the role, please reach out to Olivia Riley, Sr. Recruiter at [email protected].
At Ascend, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Ascend hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.
Skills Required
- CPA
- 5+ years of public accounting audit experience
- Significant utility industry experience
- Single Audit experience
- Proven engagement management and client leadership skills
- Experience mentoring and developing audit teams
What We Do
Ascend empowers entrepreneurial CPAs to reach their goals with an innovative growth model that brings their firms into the new age. Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a modern platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a large CPA firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition, best-of-breed technology, a catalytic leadership system, shared back-office services, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges and reach their full potential. Founded in January 2023, the company attained revenues sufficient to qualify it as a Top 100 U.S. accounting firm within six months of operation.
