Audit Manager

Gray, Callison & Jones | Winston-Salem, North Carolina Full-Time | Audit & Assurance | Active CPA Required | 5–7 Years of Public Accounting Audit Experience Compensation: OTE $105,000 Take the Next Step in Your Audit Career Without Getting Lost in a Large Firm. Gray, Callison & Jones is seeking an experienced Audit Manager – CPA to join our Audit & Assurance team in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. We're looking for a technically strong public accounting professional with 5–7 years of hands-on audit experience who is ready to manage engagements, supervise and develop audit staff, work directly with clients, and contribute to firmwide quality management initiatives. The ideal candidate understands the complete audit engagement lifecycle, possesses strong technical accounting and auditing knowledge, and can manage engagements from planning through completion while maintaining the highest professional standards. An important component of this position is contributing to the firm's Quality Management System (QMS), including engagement quality reviews (EQR), monitoring activities, peer review preparation, and continuous improvement of audit quality. We're particularly interested in candidates who have participated in updating quality management documentation, coordinated or helped lead a CPA firm's peer review, or participated in monitoring and/or EQR activities. This opportunity is ideal for a technically strong audit professional who enjoys leading engagements, developing staff, interacting directly with clients, and contributing to firmwide quality initiatives while working in a collaborative public accounting environment. What You'll Do: Audit & Assurance Engagement Management You'll manage audit and assurance engagements from planning through completion, including scheduling, client communications, technical research, review, and supervision of audit staff. Key responsibilities include: Manage financial statement audits, reviews, compilations, and other assurance engagements from planning through issuance, ensuring engagements are completed efficiently, accurately, and in accordance with professional standards and firm policies. Coordinate engagement scheduling, staffing, workflow, and deadlines in collaboration with partners, managers, seniors, and administrative team members. Lead engagement planning meetings, risk assessment discussions, status updates, and wrap-up meetings with engagement teams and clients. Evaluate internal controls, identify areas of risk, and determine appropriate audit procedures. Perform and supervise tests of controls when required or when deemed beneficial in reducing the nature, timing, and extent of substantive audit procedures. Oversee substantive testing, analytical procedures, and other audit fieldwork. Review audit workpapers, financial statements, disclosures, audit programs, and engagement documentation for technical accuracy, completeness, and compliance with professional standards. Identify complex accounting and auditing issues, research appropriate solutions, and consult with partners or technical resources as necessary. Ensure audit findings, conclusions, and supporting documentation are properly evaluated and documented. Oversee engagement completion, financial statement preparation, and issuance processes. Promote consistent use of firm audit methodology, templates, technology, and documentation standards. Monitor engagement budgets, realization, billing status, and project profitability, communicating potential issues to firm leadership. Participate in client service planning, proposal support, process improvement initiatives, and other firm projects as requested. Quality Management System (QMS), Monitoring & Peer Review Quality management is an important component of this position. The Audit Manager will contribute to the development, implementation, maintenance, and ongoing improvement of the firm's Quality Management System, helping ensure engagements and firm processes comply with applicable professional standards. Responsibilities may include: Assist with maintaining and updating the firm's Quality Management System documentation, policies, and procedures. Participate in quality management risk assessments and related documentation. Support the firm's monitoring and remediation processes, including identifying deficiencies, evaluating findings, and recommending corrective actions. Participate in or support engagement quality reviews (EQR), as appropriate and subject to applicable eligibility and independence requirements. Review engagement documentation for completeness, technical accuracy, and compliance with professional standards. Assist with preparing the firm for external peer reviews, including organizing engagement files, quality management documentation, and supporting materials. Coordinate responses to peer review requests and work with firm leadership throughout the review process. Identify potential documentation, methodology, or compliance concerns before internal or external reviews. Assist with implementing improvements resulting from monitoring activities, engagement reviews, and peer review findings. Promote a culture of audit quality, professional skepticism, accountability, and continuous improvement. Strongly Preferred: Previous hands-on experience with quality management documentation, firm monitoring activities, engagement quality reviews, or coordinating and participating in CPA firm peer reviews. Client Relationship Management As an Audit Manager, you'll serve as a primary point of contact for assigned clients and play an important role in maintaining strong professional relationships. Responsibilities include: Manage day-to-day client communications throughout the engagement lifecycle. Develop and maintain productive, long-term client relationships. Coordinate documentation requests, engagement schedules, and outstanding audit items. Communicate engagement progress, findings, and potential concerns to clients and firm leadership. Discuss accounting, auditing, and financial reporting matters with clients. Resolve engagement issues efficiently while maintaining professional standards and client service expectations. Identify potential accounting, reporting, or internal control concerns and recommend appropriate next steps. Provide responsive, professional service while balancing client expectations with engagement requirements. Technical Accounting & Auditing We're looking for someone with strong technical knowledge and the ability to apply professional standards to complex accounting and audit situations. Areas of expertise should include: U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) Financial statement audits, reviews, and compilations Audit planning and risk assessment Internal controls and tests of controls Substantive audit procedures and analytical testing Financial statement preparation, review, and disclosures Audit documentation and workpaper review Accounting and auditing research CPA firm quality management standards Professional ethics and independence requirements Engagement quality reviews, monitoring, and peer review processes You'll be expected to stay current with changes in accounting, auditing, and quality management standards and ensure those changes are appropriately incorporated into engagement procedures and firm practices. Supervise, Coach & Develop Audit Staff This is a hands-on management role that includes responsibility for supporting the professional development of audit team members. Responsibilities include: Supervise audit staff and senior auditors throughout assigned engagements. Delegate work appropriately based on experience, engagement requirements, and deadlines. Review workpapers and provide constructive feedback. Answer technical accounting and auditing questions. Provide coaching, performance feedback, and on-the-job training. Help staff understand the purpose of audit procedures and the importance of complete, accurate documentation. Identify training needs and opportunities for professional development. Encourage consistent application of firm methodologies and quality standards. Help create a collaborative, accountable, and supportive team environment. Engagement Quality, Efficiency & Accountability You'll be responsible for balancing technical quality, engagement efficiency, and client service. Responsibilities include: Ensure engagement files are complete, accurate, organized, and ready for internal or external review. Maintain compliance with applicable accounting, auditing, independence, and quality management standards. Identify engagement risks, inconsistencies, and documentation deficiencies. Monitor deadlines, budgets, staffing needs, and engagement progress. Address potential delays or technical issues before they affect engagement completion. Support improvements in audit methodology, documentation practices, and engagement workflows. Work collaboratively with partners and firm leadership to maintain high-quality audit services. Qualifications: Required Active CPA license Bachelor's or master's degree in Accounting or a related field. 5–7 years of public accounting experience with a significant concentration in audit and assurance. Strong experience managing or leading financial statement audit engagements. Thorough working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and GAAS. Experience planning, executing, reviewing, and completing audit engagements. Experience reviewing audit workpapers, financial statements, and supporting documentation. Strong understanding of audit risk assessment, internal controls, and substantive audit procedures. Ability to research and resolve technical accounting and auditing matters. Experience supervising, mentoring, or providing technical guidance to audit staff. Strong organizational and project management skills. Ability to manage multiple engagements, priorities, and deadlines. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate directly and professionally with clients. Strong analytical skills, professional judgment, and attention to detail. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. Strongly Preferred Hands-on experience with a CPA firm's Quality Management System. Experience updating or maintaining quality management policies, procedures, and documentation. Previous participation in firm monitoring activities or engagement quality reviews (EQR). Experience preparing for, coordinating, or participating in a CPA firm's peer review. Experience supervising multiple audit engagements and engagement teams. Experience monitoring engagement budgets, staffing, realization, and profitability. Experience with audit and engagement software such as CaseWare, CCH Engagement, or comparable platforms. Experience identifying and implementing audit process or quality improvements. Experience working directly with clients and firm leadership. Who We're Looking For: You're an experienced public accounting auditor who understands that a successful audit requires more than completing checklists. You understand why audit procedures are performed, recognize potential risks, know when additional investigation is necessary, and ensure conclusions are supported by clear, defensible documentation. You're comfortable leading engagements, reviewing workpapers, solving technical accounting issues, and communicating directly with clients. You enjoy helping less-experienced auditors grow professionally and understand the importance of developing a strong audit team. Most importantly, you recognize that audit quality is a firmwide responsibility and want to contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and technical excellence. If you've participated in a firm's quality management initiatives, monitoring activities, engagement quality reviews, or peer review process, we'd especially like to hear from you. Compensation & Benefits: Gray, Callison & Jones offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: 401(k) retirement plan Medical insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance Life insurance Continuing professional education (CPE) opportunities CPA-related professional development Performance-based bonus opportunities, as applicable Work Environment: Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina Employment Type: Full-Time Department: Audit & Assurance The position may include in-office, hybrid, and client-site work depending on firm and engagement requirements. Occasional travel to client locations may be required. Build the Next Stage of Your Public Accounting Career At Gray, Callison & Jones, you'll have the opportunity to lead meaningful audit engagements, develop relationships with clients, mentor audit professionals, and make a direct contribution to the firm's quality management initiatives. If you're a CPA with 5–7 years of public accounting audit experience who is ready for management-level responsibility and an opportunity to contribute to the firm's continued success, we'd like to hear from you. Apply today to join Gray, Callison & Jones as an Audit Manager – CPA. Gray, Callison & Jones is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.