Audit Senior Associate
Position: Audit Senior Associate
Location: Hybrid, near San Diego or Sacramento, CA
Employment Type: Full-time
Your Role at Grinding Rock CPAs & Advisors
Grinding Rock CPAs & Advisors is an assurance-focused firm serving tribal governments, tribal enterprises, state and local governments, and non-profit organizations. With an approach focused on efficiently delivering results for our clients, we work collaboratively to strengthen financial governance and build trust among stakeholders. By aligning technical expertise with the unique needs and goals of a community, we deliver services that reinforce financial stability and cultural resilience.
We are hiring an Audit Senior Associate to support and lead fieldwork across audit and attestation engagements, with a primary focus on tribal governments and tribal enterprises, and state and local governments. This role is ideal for an experienced auditor who is ready to take ownership of engagement areas, work closely with clients, coach junior staff, and build deeper expertise in tribal accounting, compliance, and enterprise operations.
Position Summary
The Audit Senior Associate plays a key role in planning and executing audit engagements, performing and reviewing fieldwork, preparing financial statement support, and helping ensure engagements are completed accurately and on time. This position requires strong technical audit skills, sound judgment, and the ability to work effectively in environments with complex funding, governance, and reporting requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Perform and lead day-to-day audit fieldwork for financial statement audits, compliance engagements, and other attestation projects
Execute testing in higher-risk and more complex audit areas, including cash, revenues, expenditures, payroll, internal controls, and compliance
Prepare and review workpapers, schedules, confirmations, and audit documentation for completeness and quality
Assist with planning procedures, risk assessments, materiality, sampling, and engagement wrap-up
Prepare draft financial statements, footnotes, and related audit support
Communicate with client finance teams to request documentation, resolve questions, and keep engagements moving
Identify internal control, compliance, and reporting issues and elevate them with clear recommendations
Support audits involving federal awards and Single Audit compliance
Supervise and coach associates and interns, including reviewing work and providing practical feedback
Help managers and partners keep engagements on schedule and within budget
Contribute to a professional, respectful, and client-centered engagement experience
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
3 to 5+ years of public accounting audit experience
Strong experience performing financial statement audit fieldwork and preparing audit documentation
Experience working with tribal governments, tribal organizations, tribal enterprises, or state and local governments
Understanding of governmental and fund accounting concepts
Experience with internal control testing and audit risk assessment
Strong Excel, workpaper, and audit documentation skills
Clear written and verbal communication skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
CPA license or progress toward CPA preferred
Preferred Experience
We are especially interested in candidates with experience in these fields:
Tribal government audits
Tribal accounting environments
Tribal grants, federal funding, and compliance requirements
Working with tribal leadership, finance teams, and community-focused organizations
State and local government audit experience
Familiarity with governmental reporting, public sector controls, and stewardship expectations
Technical Knowledge We Value
Financial statement audits and attestation engagements
Governmental accounting and reporting
GASB-based environments
Single Audit procedures and Uniform Guidance compliance
Internal control documentation and walkthroughs
Audit planning, fieldwork, and issue resolution
Financial statement preparation and disclosure support
What Success Looks Like
In this role, you will:
Take ownership of meaningful sections of audit engagements
Build trusted working relationships with client personnel
Deliver high-quality workpapers and audit support with minimal rework
Help identify issues early and communicate them clearly
Support managers in keeping engagements efficient, organized, and client-focused
Continue building technical depth in tribal and governmental audit work
Why Join Grinding Rock CPAs
This is an opportunity to grow your audit career in a firm that works closely with tribal governments and tribal enterprises on matters that directly affect accountability, compliance, and long-term financial strength. You will gain exposure to meaningful engagements, develop specialized experience, and work alongside professionals who value technical quality, collaboration, and respect for the clients and communities they serve.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting your audit experience, industry background, and any experience working with tribal governments, tribal enterprises, or state and local governments.
Send applications to: careers@grindingrockcpas.com
