About Ascend
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.
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 Supervisor to play a key role in planning, executing, and supervising audit engagements for utility industry clients. This position will work closely with audit managers and partners to ensure high quality audits, timely delivery, and strong client relationships. The role requires hands-on technical expertise, leadership of field teams, and a solid understanding of utility accounting and regulatory environments.
The Audit Supervisor will also supervise staff auditors, review work papers, and serve as a primary point of contact for client personnel during fieldwork. This role is ideal for a senior level professional preparing for management responsibilities in a specialized utility practice.
As an Audit Supervisor, you will:
- Plan and execute audit engagements for utility clients, including rural electric and telecommunications cooperatives, water and wastewater systems, and natural gas utilities
- Supervise, train, and mentor audit staff; review work papers and provide constructive feedback
- Perform and review complex audit areas including utility plant, revenue, debt, capital credits, and regulatory accounting
- Apply knowledge of RUS and FERC Uniform System of Accounts
- Assist in Single Audits under Uniform Guidance, including major program determination and compliance testing
- Identify accounting and internal control issues and communicate findings to management
- Maintain audit quality, documentation standards, and timelines
- Collaborate with audit managers and partners on engagement planning and issue resolution
The ideal candidate will have:
- CPA (or CPA eligible) with 3–5 years of public accounting audit experience
- Utility industry experience required (rural electric, telecom, water/wastewater, natural gas)
- Experience with cooperative and municipal clients
- Working knowledge of RUS and FERC accounting standards
- Single Audit experience preferred
- Proven ability to supervise staff and manage fieldwork
- Strong communication and client interaction skills
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 (or CPA eligible) with 3-5 years of public accounting audit experience
- Utility industry experience
- Experience with cooperative and municipal clients
- Working knowledge of RUS and FERC accounting standards
- Single Audit experience
- Strong communication and client interaction skills
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.
