Audit Associate

About the Role

KPMG is seeking an Audit Associate to join our Audit and Assurance team.

Key Responsibilities

• Work as part of a team to conduct financial statement audits and serve the capital markets by helping ensure accuracy and reliability of client financial information while upholding the principles of objectivity and independence.
• Contribute to the overall effectiveness of our clients operations while maintaining the highest standards of professional integrity.
• Develop an understanding of client-specific risks through review of financial results, relevant external information, current business trends, and client transactions.
• Prepare clear and well-structured audit documentation regarding our understanding of client processes and information technology (IT) systems, including the flow of transactions, identification of risk points, and controls that mitigate the risk points.
• Translate complex findings into clear, actionable insights.
• Execute and document testing of client controls (including IT, security, programming and governance controls) and financial statement account balances using appropriate standards and terminology.
• Identify potential misstatements and control deficiencies, escalating matters as appropriate.
• Support the execution of a high-quality audit through the performance of assigned tasks and professional client and engagement team interactions.
• Support the use of enabling technologies in the audit, including risk assessment, data extraction, statistical and machine learning-based sampling procedures, and data analysis.
• Identify process improvements and audit efficiencies as part of KPMG's continuous improvement culture.
• Support project management activities by assessing and reporting status, tracking deliverables, and coordinating action items.
• Build and maintain professional relationships commensurate with level and experience.
• Support the data-driven audit by utilizing a range of technologies and data analysis tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), Excel, Alteryx, SQL, and Power BI.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Must be pursuing and have obtained by the start date or have completed a Bachelor of Accountancy, Master of Accountancy, or equivalent program from an accredited college or university.
• Must be pursuing the state-specific education requirements to be a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the principal place of business, with completion of required academic credits prior to the start date.
• Preferred GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Coursework or minor in information systems, software engineering, computer science or data and analytics preferred.
• Experience with data analysis tools such as Alteryx or Power BI preferred.
• Foundational knowledge of technical accounting and financial reporting standards, including U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Ability to leverage common business technologies, including MS Office (with an emphasis on Excel) and AI, and quickly learn KPMG Audit tools and applications.
• Strong in technical, business acumen, critical thinking, and agility skills.
• Demonstrated ability to excel and drive strategic outcomes, coupled with a professional demeanor and a collaborative leadership approach, in a dynamic, evolving environment.
• Strong communication, organization, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to apply professional judgment and skepticism, manage priorities across multiple tasks, and deliver high-quality work in a professional services capacity.
• Must reside within a reasonably commutable distance to the office.
• Must be able to travel to reasonably commutable work locations using own means of transportation.
• Audit and Assurance professionals are expected to work in-person at a KPMG office or client site on an average of three days per week.
• Some client site locations may require travel and overnight/extended stay.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Qualifications

• Pursuing or completed a Bachelor of Accountancy, Master of Accountancy, or equivalent program.
• Pursuing CPA-specific education requirements.
• Coursework or minor in information systems, software engineering, computer science or data and analytics is preferred.
• Experience with data analysis tools such as Alteryx or Power BI is preferred.
• Foundational knowledge of U.S. GAAP.
• Proficiency with MS Office (especially Excel) and AI.
• Strong technical, business acumen, critical thinking, and agility skills.
• Strong communication, organization, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to apply professional judgment and skepticism.
• Ability to manage priorities and deliver high-quality work.