Audit Senior Associate

Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.

We are a top 3 accounting and advisory firm in Western New York with nearly 140 partners and associates, including 70 CPAs serving clients across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and South & Central America. We serve all industries and have deep expertise in small business, manufacturing, education, e-commerce, aerospace & defense, construction, insurance, professional services, private equity, non-profits, and government entities. Our key services include Tax Advisory services, M&A/Transaction Advisory services, State & Local Tax services, Client Accounting & Advisory Services (CAAS), Audit & Attestation Advisory services. We have many additional services that we specialize in. We strategically partnered with Ascend, an accounting firm platform, in 2025 to expand our footprint and enhance our capabilities and service offerings to our clients.

As an Audit Senior Associate, you will take ownership of day-to-day responsibilities on audit and assurance engagements while building the technical depth and client relationships that define a long-term career in assurance. You will manage multiple concurrent engagements, coordinate the work of staff on shared engagements, and serve as a day-to-day point of contact for client personnel. This role offers increasing responsibility, exposure to high-profile and nationally recognized client accounts, and the opportunity to develop a specialization — with particular growth in our healthcare and not-for-profit practices.

• Take ownership of day-to-day engagement responsibilities, anticipating next steps and acting independently.
• Manage multiple concurrent engagements and coordinate the work of staff on shared engagements.
• Research technical questions methodically and bring well-reasoned conclusions to supervising seniors and managers.
• Perform a self-review of work to ensure quality, thoroughness, and completion of assigned tasks.
• Track and input time accurately, document scope variances, and communicate proactively with supervisors.

Client Relationships

• Build effective working relationships with colleagues and clients.
• Seek to understand clients’ businesses and industries, developing rapport with client contacts and senior personnel.
• Participate in client service team meetings.

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide real-time guidance and constructive feedback to staff.
• Identify productivity improvements for yourself and your team, using technology — including AI tools where appropriate — to improve the work process.
• Participate in firm training, networking, and business development activities.
• Actively pursue self-development, a deepening area of specialization, and progress toward professional licensure.

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or MBA degree in Accounting.
• CPA license, or active pursuit of the CPA.
• Minimum of two years of experience in public or private accounting.

• Experience serving healthcare and/or not-for-profit organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and develop junior staff.
• Comfort adopting new technology, including AI-enabled audit tools, to improve engagement efficiency.

• One-on-one career development mentoring and the opportunity to attend professional development courses, including the Tronconi Segarra & Associates Leadership Academy.
• Financial support for the CPA exam and licensing.
• Exposure to a wide variety of challenging assignments and the ability to work on special projects and develop practice area expertise.
• In-office, flexible, and alternative working arrangements.
• Competitive salary and benefits, paid vacation and sick time, and nine paid holidays.

The annual base salary range for this role is  $73,000 - $85,000. This range includes the anticipated low and high end of TSA’s salary range for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on various factors, including experience, education and/or skill level.

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.