Accounting and Auditing Senior Manager - Construction Focus

Kolb+Co. Business Advisers

Full Time

Job Description - Accounting and Auditing Senior Manager - Construction Focus

A senior manager is viewed as a primary source of providing shareholders with support and as a shareholder-in-training and should be involved in virtually all of the areas for which shareholders are responsible.  Senior managers are a key element of executive management and the measure of his or her performance of these functions ultimately determines whether promotion to shareholder is appropriate. 

A senior manager must maintain expertise in current professional practice.  To make broad decisions in the course of this work, the senior manager must have knowledge of general economic, industry and political trends of possible accounting, tax or other legislation that could affect the business climate. 

A senior manager assists the shareholder in the management of the client relationship, the client and the accounting and auditing staff.  He or she is generally responsible for all routine phases of an engagement. 

By using talents in staff management and by projecting and planning the timing of the work load, the senior manager is expected to promote the most efficient operation of the firm.  He or she should schedule preliminary work at advantageous times, using available staff personnel. 

One of the most important responsibilities of the senior manager is developing a responsible and trained staff.  He or she should assist in recruiting, developing training aids, and acting as an instructor in professional development programs.  By planning assignments, resolving problems, and communicating with personnel, the senior manager should develop close relationships that aid in this task. 

A senior manager must constantly broaden his or her assoications outside of the organization to promote the best interest of the firm.  He or she should take an active role in professional, civic, or charitable organizations.  A senior manager may also be called upon to deliver speeches and write articles for publication. 

 Essential Functions:  

• Maintain steady contact with clients throughout the business year.  This involves a thorough knowledge of the client and all facets of their business rather than mere routine attendance to immediate problems. 

• Prepare the engagement letter and any subsequent modifications for approval by a shareholder.  Assist the shareholder in answering any questions the client may have to ensure a complete understanding of the nature and terms of an assignment, including an estimate of fees.  It is the responsibility of the senior manager to see that the engagement letter is signed by the client and returned prior to the start of the engagement. 

• Continually review staff assignments, making certain that they are appropriate.  This requires familiarity with the qualifications of all staff members under the manager's jurisdiction. 

• Evaluate internal controls, audit programs, and time budget, as well as, improve engagement efficiencies and submit to the shareholder to obtain approval. 

• Follow the progress of the work during an engagement in relation to budgeted time and scheduled dates of completion.  He or she should spend as much time as possible with the client's management group, giving the assignment the full attention it warrants.  The senior manager should periodically review the workpapers in the field as the job progresses. He or she must be able to schedule any necessary planning meetings and determine whether all phases of the engagement are being carried out properly and in the best sequence, so as to anticipate the problem areas and questions that will arise. 

• Understand the client's impression of the conduct of the engagement. 

• Keep the shareholder informed of all important developments in the work.  The senior manager will also present any major problems that occur, with all the facts, his or her conclusions, and recommendations.

• Resolve problems with the shareholder's approval and supervise the preparation of the report drafts by the in-charge accountant as the engagement nears completion. 

• Follow the drafts through processing and answer any questions that arise, submit the reports to the shareholder for final approval and signature, and supervise the distribution according to the client's instructions. 

• Deal directly with the client's attorneys or brokers, taxing authority agents, and other third parties. 

• Supervise the preparation of management letters.

• Prepare the current billing memorandum.  Where the senior manager does not have final billing authority, he or she will submit it, together with a comparison of the time budgeted and the time actually spent, to the shareholder for review and approval.

• Prepare and discuss staff performance evaluations for in-charge personnel. 

Position Requirements: 

Bachelor’s Degree with Accounting Major plus a minimum of seven (7) years in public accounting, in progressively responsible positions required.  Master’s Degree preferred.  Proven history of lead generation and practice development.  Ability to manage multiple clients, jobs and staff necessary. 

To Apply

Send your resume in MS Word or PDF format to careers@KolbCo.com. Alternatively, you may fax or mail your resume to:

Kolb+Co.
ATT: Human Resources Department
Position: Accounting and Auditing Senior Manager-Construction Focus
Fax: 262/754-9401
13400 Bishop's Lane
Brookfield, WI 53005