Sr Audit & Assurance Manager

Senior Audit & Assurance Manager

Talley LLP

Orange, California (Hybrid)

About the Firm

Talley, LLP, and its affiliated entities—Talley Law Group, LLP (“TLG”), Talley Capital Group, LLC (“TCG”), and Talley Wealth Management, LLC (“TWM”) (collectively “Talley”)—is a full-service financial, tax, legal, and consulting organization serving entrepreneurially driven businesses and their owners. Talley partners with clients as business advisors, not just service providers, constantly seeking innovative ways to strengthen their bottom line.

Talley, LLP, was founded in 1989, with the mission of helping entrepreneurially driven businesses, their owners, and high net worth individuals, to manage their financial affairs and to achieve their business objectives profitably and efficiently. Our professionals strive to become each client’s Most Trusted Advisor (MTA) by delivering global solutions to our client’s complex challenges and opportunities.

Our services include:

• Audit & Assurance services, including financial reporting
• Tax compliance,
• Tax planning, and proactive advice
• Business consulting
• Estate planning, business planning, M&A, and tax law services delivered through TLG
• Outsourced accounting, controller and CFO services
• M&A, growth-through-acquisition, and operational consulting deliveried through TCG

Talley is a boutique firm with 70+ U.S.-based professionals and 20–30 offshore/outsourced team members. Headquartered in Orange, CA, the firm has grown rapidly, becoming a leading Orange County professional services provider. We embrace a hybrid work culture built on accountability, results, and exceptional client service delivered by professional, motivated individuals.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Audit & Assurance Partner and working across departments, the Senior Audit & Assurance Manager will bring strong technical expertise, leadership, and a client-first mindset. This individual will lead process improvements, technology adoption (including AI), and cross-functional integration, while helping to fuel firm growth by leveraging Talley’s full suite of services.

The Senior A&A Manager thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, embraces challenges with agility, and quickly assumes the role of Client Service Manager (CSM)—responsible for designing and delivering A&A and consulting engagements, while proactively identifying additional client needs.

Essential Functions

Strategic Priorities

• Integration & Collaboration: Boost cooperation between A&A and other departments (Tax, Legal, CAS, Consulting, Wealth Management, Project Management Office) and seek cross-selling beyond standard A&A services.
• Tax Compliance Integration: Align A&A deliverables with tax compliance and CAS processes.
• AI Integration: Use AI and affordable resources to streamline workflows for individuals and teams.
• Client: Engage clients and prospects, collaborate, take on technical tasks as needed, deliver quality, and apply cost-effective strategies. Contribute unique skills, maintain a strong professional network; client portfolio is preferred but not required.
• Process: Review workflows for best practices, combine CAS–Audit and Audit–Tax projects, and use advanced technology and AI. Practice effective time and project management daily.
• People: Mentor staff beyond routine tasks and encourage ongoing learning, especially in AI.
• Revenue: Expand A&A practice to $5M+ in 3–5 years by pursuing valuation ($200–400k annually), consulting, and firm-wide cross-selling.

Technical Competence

• Plan, execute, and document the A&A lifecycle—planning, fieldwork, and reporting.
• Develop audit/assurance programs that balance interim and year-end phases.
• Innovate by deploying best practices, advanced software, and AI-driven tools.
• Tailor approach to each client’s risk environment.
• Design and test controls; integrate internal procedures into overall plans.
• Prepare and review financial statements, disclosures, and reports.
• Draft reports for non-standard opinions when necessary.
• Research authoritative guidance to resolve technical issues.
• Review workpapers to confirm accuracy, compliance, and completion.
• Demonstrate knowledge of industry-specific accounting, regulatory, and reporting issues.

Client Service

• Understand client operations, strategies, and financial systems.
• Monitor external industry factors and advise clients on implications.
• Earn client trust and serve as a resource for inquiries.
• Cultivate and grow long-term relationships.
• Respond promptly to client requests and resolve issues efficiently.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities across Tax, CAS, Consulting, and Legal.
• Adapt communication style to diverse client personalities.

Engagement Management

• Oversee engagements from planning through completion.
• Manage multiple projects and staff simultaneously.
• Delegate effectively and monitor staff performance against objectives.
• Anticipate staffing needs and adjust as circumstances change.
• Monitor progress against budget; report variances to Partner.
• Ensure timely completion of deliverables and Partner review notes.
• Communicate significant accounting, auditing, or reporting issues to Partner.

Staff Development

• Delegate strategically to encourage professional growth.
• Provide coaching, technical training, and constructive reviews.
• Offer timely, balanced feedback and mentorship.
• Model professionalism and accountability.
• Challenge staff to think critically and innovate.

Department Leadership

• Uphold and enforce departmental policies.
• Evaluate and implement new software, AI tools, and process improvements.
• Lead departmental meetings, after-action reviews, and training.
• Assist Partner with budgeting, variance monitoring, and peer review.

Preferred Attributes

• Minimum 8–10 years of audit/assurance experience (including 5+ years in management).
• Active CPA (CA) required.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field is required.
• Strong project and time management skills.
• Advanced financial/accounting expertise with creativity and autonomy.
• High client-service orientation.
• Collaborative, tactful, and flexible interpersonal style.
• Independent, entrepreneurial, and profit-focused mindset.
• Strong analytical and reasoning skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High energy, able to manage multiple priorities.
• Familiarity with CCH Engagement, Knowledge Coach, and ARM preferred, but not required.

Travel

Must be willing and able to travel to client offices.

Compensation

Competitive and commensurate with experience.