Federal Associate

CohnReznick• , MD

7d•$70,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

As CohnReznick grows, so do our career opportunities. As one of the nation’s top professional services firms, CohnReznick creates rewarding careers in advisory, assurance, and tax with team members who value innovation and collaboration in everything they do! CohnReznick helps organizations optimize performance, manage risk, and maximize value through CohnReznick LLP (assurance services) and CohnReznick Advisory LLC (advisory and tax services). Together, the firm provides leaders with deep industry knowledge and relationships, solutions to address clients’ unique business goals and risks, and insight on how emerging market forces can drive opportunity. With offices nationwide, the firm serves organizations around the world as an independent member of Nexia. We currently have an exciting career opportunity for a Federal Associate to join the team in our Bethesda office. Due to the nature of this role, this position is considered 100% on-site which means it must be consistently performed at an assigned CohnReznick office location and requires daily commute to the office location. WHY COHNREZNICK? At CohnReznick, we’re united by a common mission to create opportunity, value, and trust for our clients, our people, and our communities. Whether it’s working alongside your peers to solve a client challenge, or volunteering together at the local food bank, there are so many ways to find your “why” at the firm. We believe it’s important to balance work with everyday life – and make time for enjoyment and fun. We invest in a robust Total Rewards package that includes everything from generous PTO, a flexible work environment, expanded parental leave, extensive learning & development, and even paid time off for employees to volunteer. YOUR ROLE. Responsibilities include but not limited to: Support daily accounting operations for a federal agency (e.g., routine transaction processing, reconciliations, and variance follow-up) while building an understanding of how federal accounting requirements intersect with GAAP and SFFAS. Assist with month-end/period-end close activities, including compiling supporting documentation and contributing to repeatable close processes that improve timeliness and accuracy. Contribute to audit remediation efforts by gathering PBC support, organizing evidence, and documenting how corrective actions address audit findings and control gaps. Support internal control improvement initiatives by documenting processes, identifying control objectives/risks, and assisting in updating control narratives/flowcharts and related support under supervisor direction. Prepare high-quality, audit-ready workpapers and documentation (complete, well-organized, clearly referenced), incorporating self-review and efficiently addressing review comments. Communicate clearly and consistently with engagement leadership and client stakeholders, providing proactive status updates, flagging issues early, and responding to requests in a timely manner. Manage multiple tasks across parallel workstreams, applying strong prioritization and follow-through to meet deadlines and maintain momentum. Apply an analytical, problem-solving mindset to identify discrepancies, ask thoughtful questions, research assigned topics, and escalate risks or uncertainties appropriately. Leverage technology to improve accuracy, efficiency, and consistency in deliverables (e.g., trackers, reconciliations, evidence organization). Build foundational knowledge of federal accounting, audit remediation, and internal controls through on-the-job learning and training, quickly ramping up on client systems, processes, and reporting needs. YOUR EXPERIENCE. The successful candidate will have: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. Strong attention to detail with disciplined self-review habits (e.g., checking accuracy, completeness, and presentation) and the ability to catch and correct errors before submitting work. Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to gather information efficiently, synthesize findings, and escalate questions or gaps appropriately. Clear, timely written and verbal communication (email, Teams, meetings), including active listening, note-taking, and asking thoughtful questions to confirm understanding. Ability to manage multiple tasks and competing deadlines, apply prioritization, and maintain momentum in a fast-moving client environment. Strong Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel; proficiency with Outlook/Teams/PowerPoint. Successful candidates will have (Preferred) CPA-eligible with a demonstrated desire and plan to obtain the CPA license (e.g., intent to sit for exams and progress toward licensure). Foundational understanding of federal accounting concepts, including familiarity with federal fund accounting and the U.S. Government Standard General Ledger (USSGL). Demonstrated interest in government accounting and auditing, including a desire to learn federal standards, public sector financial reporting, and how internal controls support audit readiness and remediation. Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships across levels and collaborate well within a team and client environment. In addition, please take a moment to review our Universal Job Standards. Studies have shown that we are less likely to apply to jobs unless we meet every single qualification. At CohnReznick, we are dedicated to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our other roles. In Maryland, the salary range for a Federal Associate is $70,000 to $80,000. Actual compensation within the range will be dependent upon the individual's skills, experience, qualifications and location, and applicable employment laws. Salary is one component of the CohnReznick total rewards package, which includes a discretionary performance bonus, generous paid time off, expanded and inclusive parental benefits, to name a few. To learn more about life at CohnReznick, visit Life at Life at CohnReznick "CohnReznick" is the brand name under which CohnReznick LLP and CohnReznick Advisory LLC and their respective subsidiaries provide professional services. CohnReznick LLP and CohnReznick Advisory LLC (and their respective subsidiaries) practice in an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. CohnReznick LLP is a licensed CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients. CohnReznick Advisory LLC provides tax and business consulting services to its clients. CohnReznick Advisory LLC and its subsidiaries are not licensed CPA firms. CohnReznick is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive team to drive business results and create a better future every day for our team members, clients, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. For more information, please see Equal Employment Opportunity Posters If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected] Please note: This email address is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and are not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. CohnReznick does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters are currently engaged by CohnReznick Talent Acquisition Team by way of a written agreement to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that CohnReznick will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity. #LI-CM1 #GD

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
Strong attention to detail with disciplined self-review habits (e.g., checking accuracy, completeness, and presentation) and the ability to catch and correct errors before submitting work.
Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to gather information efficiently, synthesize findings, and escalate questions or gaps appropriately.
Clear, timely written and verbal communication (email, Teams, meetings), including active listening, note-taking, and asking thoughtful questions to confirm understanding.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and competing deadlines, apply prioritization, and maintain momentum in a fast-moving client environment.
Strong Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel; proficiency with Outlook/Teams/PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

CPA-eligible with a demonstrated desire and plan to obtain the CPA license (e.g., intent to sit for exams and progress toward licensure).
Foundational understanding of federal accounting concepts, including familiarity with federal fund accounting and the U.S. Government Standard General Ledger (USSGL).
Demonstrated interest in government accounting and auditing, including a desire to learn federal standards, public sector financial reporting, and how internal controls support audit readiness and remediation.
Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships across levels and collaborate well within a team and client environment.

Responsibilities

Support daily accounting operations for a federal agency (e.g., routine transaction processing, reconciliations, and variance follow-up) while building an understanding of how federal accounting requirements intersect with GAAP and SFFAS.
Assist with month-end/period-end close activities, including compiling supporting documentation and contributing to repeatable close processes that improve timeliness and accuracy.
Contribute to audit remediation efforts by gathering PBC support, organizing evidence, and documenting how corrective actions address audit findings and control gaps.
Support internal control improvement initiatives by documenting processes, identifying control objectives/risks, and assisting in updating control narratives/flowcharts and related support under supervisor direction.
Prepare high-quality, audit-ready workpapers and documentation (complete, well-organized, clearly referenced), incorporating self-review and efficiently addressing review comments.
Communicate clearly and consistently with engagement leadership and client stakeholders, providing proactive status updates, flagging issues early, and responding to requests in a timely manner.
Manage multiple tasks across parallel workstreams, applying strong prioritization and follow-through to meet deadlines and maintain momentum.
Apply an analytical, problem-solving mindset to identify discrepancies, ask thoughtful questions, research assigned topics, and escalate risks or uncertainties appropriately.
Leverage technology to improve accuracy, efficiency, and consistency in deliverables (e.g., trackers, reconciliations, evidence organization).
Build foundational knowledge of federal accounting, audit remediation, and internal controls through on-the-job learning and training, quickly ramping up on client systems, processes, and reporting needs.