Independence Senior Associate

RSM•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Independence Senior Associate is a technical preparer and developing reviewer who helps manage RSM’s risk related to independence requirements established by the SEC, PCAOB, AICPA, and the Firm. As part of the National Office of Ethics and Independence, the role supports engagement teams serving private equity and other clients with complex organizational structures through research, analysis, consultations, searches, and affiliate and entity data support. The Senior Associate coordinates assigned matters from fact gathering through handoff for review. After demonstrating proficiency, the role may perform initial technical review of established AICPA matters, but does not have final approval authority. The role supports Independence Managers and engagement teams with independence matters involving funds, portfolio companies, ownership and control relationships, affiliates, covered persons, service arrangements, acquisitions, prospective services, and capital markets activity. It assists with AICPA, SEC, annual, and engagement-specific independence searches and transaction monitoring; complex affiliate analyses and affiliate-tree maintenance; reconciliations and entity records; and preparation of organized, traceable workpapers. The role manages assigned matters, deadlines, information requests, open items, and status reporting, and coordinates with US and India team members through complete handoff for review. The Senior Associate also assists with independence training, tools, templates, procedures, guidance, and approved process and technology improvements. Approved tools must be used for authorized purposes, with outputs independently validated against source data and exceptions documented and escalated. Other National Office of Ethics and Independence or Office of Risk Management projects and duties may be assigned. RSM describes most roles as hybrid, with team members aligned to an RSM office and meeting in person when it supports clients, teams, development, or relationship-building. Some roles may be virtual or primarily on-site depending on role requirements, team priorities, and client needs. Compensation is $77,700–$128,200, with eligibility for a discretionary bonus based on firm and individual performance. RSM offers a competitive benefits and compensation package; further benefits information is provided through its total rewards webpage.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
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 them appropriately.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
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.
At least 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: understand the impact of regulatory and independence requirements on business and client relationships.
Customer focus: anticipate stakeholder needs and provide timely, collaborative support.
Learning agility: build technical knowledge and judgment, apply feedback, adapt to change, and demonstrate readiness for a broader view.

Nice To Haves

Degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field.
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.

Responsibilities

Research and apply AICPA, SEC, PCAOB, and Firm independence requirements to assigned matters.
Gather and document relevant facts, assess the applicable independence framework, prepare analyses and preliminary conclusions, and identify SEC applicability, potential impairment indicators, incomplete or conflicting facts, and matters requiring escalation.
Escalate unclear rules, material exceptions, unresolved facts, and matters outside assigned authority; confirm assigned technical actions and workpaper updates are complete.
Triage incoming requests under the direction of Independence management and, after demonstrating proficiency, perform assigned initial technical reviews of established AICPA matters.
Support Independence Managers and engagement teams serving private equity and other clients with complex organizational structures.
Assist in evaluating independence implications involving 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 avoid presenting preliminary observations as final conclusions.
Support implementation and follow-through of approved conclusions.
Assist with AICPA, SEC, annual, and engagement-specific independence search processes and transaction monitoring.
Review and organize search results, investigate identified relationships, coordinate with stakeholders to obtain missing information or resolve open matters, and document analysis and preliminary conclusions.
Escalate potential impairments, SEC considerations, unusual relationships, and significant unresolved exceptions.
Assist with complex affiliate analyses and maintenance of affiliate trees and entity records, using 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 traceable supporting evidence, respond to review comments, coordinate with US and India team members, communicate delivery risks and missing information to the accountable Manager, and ensure assigned actions and system updates are completed.
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, 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.