Position: Audit Director
Location: New Canaan, Connecticut
Position is available due to succession planning and growth/expansion
*No agency or recruiter submissions - direct applicants only*$170,000 - $190,000 a year
Compensation: 170-190K + bonuses
Summary of Position:The Audit Director serves as a key liaison between partners, clients, and professional staff, providing leadership across the firm's audit practice.
This role is responsible for overseeing audit engagements and related projects, ensuring effective planning, staffing, and execution based on engagement complexity and scope.
The Director leads and develops team members at all levels, with a strong focus on coaching, training, and mentorship.
In addition, this position plays a critical role in driving strategic initiatives within the audit practice, contributing to business development efforts, and supporting the firm's overall growth objectives.
Essential Functions:- Serve as the firm's primary resource for technical audit matters, providing guidance to partners and staff
- Oversee the audit department budget, including planning, monitoring performance, and evaluating ROI on technology and initiatives
- Lead the selection, implementation, and optimization of audit-related software and tools
- Ensure the department maintains access to technical resources and continuing education to stay current with industry developments
- Monitor and interpret changes in audit regulations and standards (federal and applicable state), communicating impacts and required process changes to internal teams and clients
- Provide regular updates to the partner group on department performance, engagement status, operational issues, and strategic initiatives, including recommended solutions
- Identify and drive improvements in efficiency, processes, and overall department performance
- Oversee the planning, staffing, and execution of audit engagements, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery
- Anticipate engagement risks and address complex issues proactively with both staff and clients
- Manage and track engagement profitability, ensuring projects are completed efficiently and within budget
- Coach, mentor, and develop staff across all levels throughout the audit lifecycle
- Lead department workforce planning, including forecasting staffing needs and overseeing training initiatives
- Provide ongoing performance feedback and establish goals to drive productivity and professional growth
- Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and retention
- Collaborate with the tax team to coordinate client service and optimize engagement delivery
- Participate in business development, including networking, proposals, and promoting firm services
- Negotiate engagement scope and fees, including addressing additional billing where appropriate
- Promote and uphold firm policies, procedures, and culture, serving as a leader within the organization
- Maintain deep knowledge of client businesses and industries to provide high-value insights
- Complete continuing professional education (CPE) requirements to sustain and enhance technical expertise
Other Functions:- Participate in professional and community organizations to enhance the firm's visibility and support business development efforts
- Travel locally to client sites, meetings, and seminars (primarily same-day travel; minimal overnight travel)
Minimum Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree or master's degree in accounting
- At least 8 years' audit experience in audit and management with demonstrated progression in complexity
- CPA License
- Experience using Microsoft Office
- Fluency in current audit pronouncements
- Demonstrated ability to bring in new business to a CPA firm
- Demonstrated ability to lead and organize a department and its staff
- Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to mulit-task
- Ability to work overtime from January to March (ranging from 45-55 hours) Occasional overtime work is required throughout the year.
