Audit Staff Associate

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.

About Tronconi Segarra & Associates

We are a top 3 accounting and advisory firm in Western New York with nearly 140 partners and associates, including 70 CPAs serving clients across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and South & Central America. We serve all industries and have deep expertise in small business, manufacturing, education, e-commerce, aerospace & defense, construction, insurance, professional services, private equity, non-profits, and government entities. Our key services include Tax Advisory services, M&A/Transaction Advisory services, State & Local Tax services, Client Accounting & Advisory Services (CAAS), Audit & Attestation Advisory services. We have many additional services that we specialize in. We strategically partnered with Ascend, an accounting firm platform, in 2025 to expand our footprint and enhance our capabilities and service offerings to our clients.

The Opportunity

Build your assurance career with a team that invests in your development. As an Audit Staff Associate, you will join audit and assurance engagements across a variety of clients, learning the full audit cycle from planning through reporting and taking on more responsibility as your skills grow. You will work alongside experienced seniors and managers, with early exposure to high-profile and nationally recognized clients and room to develop an area of focus, particularly in our healthcare and not-for-profit practices.

Responsibilities:

Audit Execution

• Perform assigned audit procedures and testing across planning, fieldwork, and reporting.
• Prepare clear, well-organized workpapers that meet firm and professional standards.
• Research technical accounting and auditing questions and share your findings with seniors and managers.
• Review your own work before it goes up for review to catch errors and confirm it is complete.
• Track your time accurately and flag potential budget or scope issues early.

Client Service

• Communicate with client personnel to request information and follow up on open items.
• Learn your clients’ businesses and industries so you understand the “why” behind the numbers.
• Take part in client meetings and engagement team discussions.

Growth & Development

• Welcome feedback from seniors and managers and apply it to your next assignment.
• Look for ways to work more efficiently, including AI-enabled audit tools where appropriate.
• Take part in firm training, networking, and business development activities.
• Work toward CPA licensure and begin building an area of specialization.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or MBA degree in Accounting.
• CPA license, or active pursuit of the CPA.
• Up to two years of experience in public or private accounting; internship experience welcome.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Exposure to healthcare and/or not-for-profit clients.
• Audit internship or busy-season experience.
• Curiosity, strong attention to detail, and comfort learning new technology, including AI-enabled tools.

What We Offer

• One-on-one career development mentoring and the opportunity to attend professional development courses, including the Tronconi Segarra & Associates Leadership Academy.
• Financial support for the CPA exam and licensing.
• Exposure to a wide variety of challenging assignments and the ability to work on special projects and develop practice area expertise.
• In-office, flexible, and alternative working arrangements.
• Competitive salary and benefits, paid vacation and sick time, and nine paid holidays.

The annual base salary range for this role is $68,000-$70,000. This range includes the anticipated low and high end of TSA’s salary range for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on various factors, including experience, education and/or skill level.

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.