Independence Senior Associate

RSM US LLP•Chicago, IL

4d•$77,700 - $128,200•Hybrid

About The Position

The Independence Senior Associate is a technical preparer and developing reviewer who helps manage the Firm’s risk related to independence requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). As a member of the National Office of Ethics and Independence, the role supports engagement teams serving private equity and other clients with complex organizational structures through independence research and analysis, consultations and searches, and affiliate and entity data support. The Senior Associate coordinates assigned matters from fact gathering through handoff for review and may perform initial technical review of established AICPA matters after demonstrating proficiency, but does not have final approval authority. The position researches and applies independence requirements, assists with independence searches and transaction monitoring, supports complex affiliate analyses and entity records, and prepares organized, traceable workpapers. It manages assigned matters, deadlines, requests, open items, workpapers, and status reporting through review handoff, while coordinating with US and India team members. The role also contributes to training, tools, procedures, and approved process and technology improvements. RSM describes most roles as following a hybrid workstyle, with team members aligned to an RSM office and meeting in person when beneficial to clients, teams, development, or relationship-building. Some roles may be virtual or primarily on-site depending on role requirements, team priorities, and client needs. The compensation range is $77,700–$128,200, and selected individuals are eligible for a discretionary bonus based on firm and individual performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; a degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field is preferred.
Developing knowledge of AICPA, SEC, and PCAOB independence requirements, with demonstrated ability to research and apply professional standards, regulatory requirements, and Firm policies.
Strong analytical, organizational, documentation, and follow-through skills.
Ability to identify potential independence issues and escalate appropriately.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional discretion.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Ability to effectively use approved emerging technologies, including Microsoft Copilot.
3+ years of relevant public accounting, independence, risk, audit, compliance, or professional services experience.
Experience researching and applying professional standards, regulatory requirements, or Firm policies.
Experience managing multiple assignments, deadlines, and stakeholders.
Business awareness: understands the impact of regulatory and independence requirements on business and client relationships.
Customer focus: anticipates stakeholder needs and provides timely, collaborative support.
Learning agility: builds technical knowledge and judgment, applies feedback, adapts to change, and demonstrates readiness for a broader view.

Nice To Haves

Experience applying AICPA or SEC independence requirements.
Experience with private equity structures, including funds, portfolio companies, ownership, and affiliates.
Exposure to independence searches, consultations, affiliate analyses, capital markets, or complex organizational structures.
Experience with data analysis, reconciliation, workflow tracking, or entity management systems.
A degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Research and apply AICPA, SEC, PCAOB, and Firm independence requirements to assigned matters; gather and document facts, assess the applicable framework, prepare analyses and preliminary conclusions, and identify issues requiring escalation.
Escalate unclear rules, material exceptions, unresolved facts, potential impairments, SEC considerations, unusual relationships, and matters outside assigned authority; confirm assigned technical actions and workpaper updates are complete.
Perform initial triage of incoming requests under the direction of Independence management and, after demonstrating proficiency, perform assigned initial technical review of established AICPA matters.
Support Independence Managers and engagement teams serving private equity and other clients with complex organizational structures, including analysis of funds, portfolio companies, ownership and control relationships, affiliates, covered persons, service arrangements, acquisitions, prospective services, and capital markets activity.
Gather facts, coordinate routine information requests, prepare status updates, draft technical communications for approval, communicate through approved channels, and support implementation and follow-through of approved conclusions.
Assist with AICPA, SEC, annual, and engagement-specific independence searches and transaction monitoring; organize search results, investigate relationships, coordinate to obtain missing information or resolve open matters, and document analysis and preliminary conclusions.
Assist with complex affiliate analyses and maintenance of affiliate trees and entity records; evaluate information from organizational charts, stakeholder documentation, public resources, and approved Firm systems; prepare proposed updates and assess potential technical implications.
Prepare organized, traceable workpapers identifying sources, research, procedures, exceptions, analysis, and preliminary conclusions; support reconciliations involving Form ADV, Alteryx, InTrust, master affiliate templates, and other approved sources and tools.
Manage assigned matters, deadlines, fact requests, open items, workpapers, and status reporting through complete handoff for review; maintain supporting evidence, respond to review comments, coordinate with US and India team members, communicate delivery risks and missing information to the accountable Manager, and complete assigned actions and system updates.
Assist with developing and delivering independence training, tools, templates, procedures, and guidance; provide task-level guidance after demonstrating proficiency, share lessons learned, and participate in testing and evaluating approved process, technology, automation, and documentation improvements.
Use approved tools for authorized purposes, independently validate outputs against source data, retain supporting evidence, document exceptions, and escalate inconsistent results.
Perform other National Office of Ethics and Independence or Office of Risk Management projects and duties as assigned.