# Audit Staff Accountant

## About the Role

Schultheis & Panettieri, LLP is seeking motivated and detail-oriented staff to join the audit side of its accounting team. This role is ideal for someone who is interested in building a career in public accounting while working with a specialized client base that includes labor unions and related benefit and fringe benefit funds.

The Audit Staff Accountant will support audit-side accounting engagements for local clients across Long Island, New York City, and New Jersey, while also assisting with travel-account work in various states as needed. This position provides an opportunity to gain hands-on audit experience, develop technical accounting skills, work directly with experienced professionals, and grow into more challenging assignments as knowledge and expertise increase.

The ideal candidate is dependable, organized, eager to learn, and comfortable working with financial records, client documentation, audit procedures, and team-based assignments. This role is well suited for someone who wants to develop a strong foundation in auditing, accounting, compliance, and client service within a CPA firm environment.

## Key Responsibilities

* Assist with audit-side accounting work for labor unions, benefit funds, fringe benefit funds, and related organizations.
* Support audit engagements by gathering, organizing, reviewing, and analyzing client financial information.
* Perform audit procedures under the supervision of senior accountants, managers, and partners.
* Prepare audit workpapers, schedules, reconciliations, confirmations, and supporting documentation.
* Review financial records, bank statements, payroll records, benefit fund records, contribution reports, invoices, and other accounting documentation.
* Assist with testing transactions, account balances, internal controls, compliance requirements, and supporting records.
* Work with local clients across Long Island, New York City, and New Jersey.
* Support travel-account work and client engagements in various states as business needs require.
* Communicate with clients to request documents, clarify information, and follow up on outstanding items.
* Help ensure audit files are organized, accurate, complete, and prepared in accordance with firm standards.
* Assist with preparing financial statement support, audit reports, and related client deliverables.
* Maintain confidentiality when handling client financial, payroll, employee benefit, union, and organizational information.
* Learn and apply accounting standards, audit procedures, firm practices, and industry-specific requirements.
* Participate in client meetings, internal planning discussions, fieldwork, and engagement wrap-up activities.
* Take on increasingly complex assignments as technical knowledge and professional experience grow.
* Collaborate with audit team members to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality client service.

## Required Qualifications

* Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
* Interest in audit, public accounting, labor unions, employee benefit plans, fringe benefit funds, or nonprofit-style accounting environments.
* Strong attention to detail and ability to work accurately with financial records and documentation.
* Basic understanding of accounting principles, financial statements, reconciliations, and audit concepts.
* Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and client requests.
* Good written and verbal communication skills.
* Ability to work both independently and as part of an audit team.
* Comfortable using Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and accounting-related systems or software.
* Willingness to travel locally across Long Island, New York City, and New Jersey, with possible travel to other states for client work.
* Professional attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to learn from experienced audit professionals.

## Preferred Qualifications

* Prior internship or work experience in public accounting, auditing, bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, benefits administration, or financial reporting.
* CPA eligibility, progress toward CPA requirements, or interest in pursuing CPA licensure.
* Familiarity with labor unions, employee benefit plans, Taft-Hartley funds, pension funds, welfare funds, annuity funds, training funds, or related organizations.
* Experience preparing audit workpapers, account reconciliations, schedules, or financial statement support.
* Strong Excel skills, including formulas, sorting, filtering, pivot tables, and data review.
* Experience using audit software, accounting software, document management systems, or client portals.
* Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment, especially during busy audit periods.

## Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a reliable and detail-focused accounting professional who wants to grow within the audit side of a CPA firm. This person should be comfortable reviewing financial information, asking thoughtful questions, following established procedures, and learning new technical concepts over time.

The right candidate will be professional, curious, and willing to take on increasing responsibility as skills develop. They should enjoy working as part of a team, interacting with clients, and contributing to accurate, organized, and high-quality audit work.

This role is a strong fit for someone who wants a specialized public accounting path and values hands-on learning, client exposure, and long-term professional development.

## Work Environment

This role will involve work in a CPA firm environment, client locations, and potentially remote or hybrid settings depending on firm policy and engagement needs. The Audit Staff Accountant may work with clients across Long Island, New York City, New Jersey, and other states as assigned.

The position may require occasional travel, especially for fieldwork or travel-account engagements. The role also requires flexibility during peak audit periods, strong time management, and the ability to meet client and firm deadlines.

## Compensation and Benefits

Compensation will be based on experience, education, qualifications, and overall fit for the role. Benefits may include:

* Competitive salary
* Full-time employment
* Health, dental, and vision benefits
* Paid time off
* Retirement plan options
* Professional development and training
* CPA exam support or continuing education opportunities, depending on firm policy
* Opportunity to grow within a specialized CPA firm
* Exposure to labor union and benefit fund audit work
* Supportive team environment with increasing responsibility over time

## Equal Opportunity Statement

Schultheis & Panettieri, LLP is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, skills, and business needs. The firm is committed to maintaining a respectful, professional, and collaborative work environment.