Assurance Manager

About Dean Dorton

Dean Dorton’s team makes up one of the largest advisory firms in the United States. We thrive when you thrive! We are here to help you succeed in every step of your development and career as you work with nationally recognized experts in a recognized best place to work.

Our core values guide how we work, lead, and support one another every day. They are:

Integrity - We do the right thing, integrity guides our decisions.

Relationships - We value people, relationships drive our impact.

Collaboration - We win as one team, collaboration fuels our success.

Growth - We stay curious, growth is our mindset.

About Assurance Services

Dean Dorton's assurance team partners with both public and private organizations to take a comprehensive approach to audit and assurance services. With dedicated industry teams, we offer assurance services ranging from audit, reviews, and compilations to risk management and internal controls governance, processes, and regulatory compliance. We also serve as advisors to our clients as they work toward financial excellence – providing clarity and confidence in their most critical business transactions and transitions.

About the Role

The Assurance Manager oversees engagements from start to finish, managing the client relationship and internal engagement teams to ensure the quality and timeliness of client deliverables. Assurance Managers lead engagement teams and team members; provide technical guidance for client engagements; and contribute to assurance and firm non-charge initiatives.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Manage all aspects of assurance engagements and risk assessments, including budgeting and scheduling, executing processes and procedures, championing team members, prioritizing tasks, and managing internal and external deadlines.

Review workpapers and financial statements, preparing assurance files and binders for assurance director review.

Manage client relationships by serving as a main point of contact for the client and proactively address client needs while advocating for firm services (including cross-selling).

Create and execute assurance plans, including designing of appropriate tests, identifying scope, and planning schedules for engagements using proper leveraging.

Obtain strong technical knowledge of accounting principles, regulations, and assurance methodologies, ensuring adherence of these within client engagements.

Coordinate with engagement teams to ensure timely completion of tasks to meet client expectations and deadlines.

Stay up to date on technical updates and industry trends, sharing relevant information and insights with internal team members and external clients.

Begin to specialize in specific industries or niches.

Train, develop, and mentor staff, fostering a positive, collaborative, and productive work environment. Be a champion for firm culture and core values.

Engage in research and technical discussions, seeking guidance when needed.

Build technical expertise, leadership skills, and/or client management capabilities.

Communicate effectively, setting clear expectations and responsibilities for engagement teams and clients.

Utilize strong relationship management skills to build rapport with internal team members and external stakeholders.

Adhere to firm policies while completing firm administrative tasks such as scheduling, billing, and new client proposals.

Maintain compliance of assurance continuing education requirements (e.g., Yellow Book, EBP).

Meet productivity goals.

Participate in firm-sponsored events and activities.

Participate in team and firm non-charge activities of interest, such as:

• Recruiting activities, including interviewing and evaluating candidates.
• Evaluating and developing internal processes, procedures, and guidelines.
• Contributing to the development of training materials and leading training sessions.
• Joining an internal committee or initiative.
• Serving as a career advisor to assurance team members, monitoring team member performance, providing feedback, and facilitating growth opportunities.
• Assisting in business development efforts, including attending industry events, networking with potential clients, and promoting the firm's services.
• Actively seeking out opportunities to participate in local community activities by volunteering or joining an external board/committee.

Requirements

• Experience & Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree required in accounting, finance, or related field.
• Five to six years of experience in an assurance or accounting related role.
• CPA licensure required.
• Other certifications demonstrating specialization (e.g., Certified Internal Auditor) may be required.