What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Audit Associate (Financial Services Audit) position at Smart4 Energy?
Audit Associate / Senior Audit Associate – Financial Services Audit
📍 Chicago, IL (Onsite)
💰 $90,000 - $140,000 Base Salary Bonus
IMPORTANT: This is a specialized Financial Services Audit position. Candidates MUST have prior audit experience with broker-dealers, registered investment advisors (RIAs), hedge funds, private equity funds, asset managers, or similar financial services clients. General commercial audit experience alone will not be considered.
A great client of ours, a reputable Chicago CPA firm is seeking an Audit Associate or Senior Audit Associate to join its Financial Services Audit practice.
This role offers the opportunity to work directly with broker-dealers, investment advisors, hedge funds, and other regulated financial institutions while gaining exposure to complex audit engagements and direct interaction with firm leadership.
Required Qualifications
✅ Public accounting audit experience
✅ Experience auditing broker-dealers and/or financial services clients
✅ Experience with one or more of the following:
- Broker-Dealers
- Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs)
- Hedge Funds
- Private Equity Funds
- Asset Management Firms
- Investment Partnerships
✅ CPA license or active pursuit of CPA preferred
Highly Preferred
- Big 4 experience (PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG)
- National firm experience (RSM, BDO, Grant Thornton, Crowe, CohnReznick, Baker Tilly)
- SEC or regulatory audit exposure
- FINRA-regulated client experience
- Experience leading portions of audit engagements
Responsibilities
- Perform financial statement audits for broker-dealers and financial services organizations
- Prepare and review audit workpapers
- Evaluate internal controls and regulatory compliance requirements
- Assist with audit planning, execution, and completion
- Communicate directly with clients and firm leadership
- Research technical accounting and auditing matters
- Mentor junior staff (Senior Associate level)
Compensation & Benefits
- Base Salary: $90,000 - $140,000
- Annual bonus opportunity
- CPA support and professional development
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Company-sponsored meals and transportation during busy season
- Overtime accrual during busy season
- Clear path for advancement within the firm
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is best suited for auditors currently working in public accounting who have developed a niche in broker-dealer or financial services audits and are looking for a firm where they can take on greater responsibility, work closely with Partners, and continue building their expertise within the financial services sector.
Salary : $90,000 - $140,000