Independence Business Relationships Sr Associate

We are the leading provider of professional services to the middle market globally, our purpose is to instill confidence in a world of change, empowering our clients and people to realize their full potential. Our exceptional people are the key to our unrivaled, culture and talent experience and our ability to be compelling to our clients. You’ll find an environment that inspires and empowers you to thrive both personally and professionally. There’s no one like you and that’s why there’s nowhere like RSM.

The Office of Risk Management (ORM) supports the implementation of programs, policies, and practices to manage RSM US risk. The Independence Business Relationships Senior Associate assists with managing risk to the firm and its personnel regarding independence requirements of regulatory bodies including the Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The position is a member of the National Office of Ethics & Independence team with support responsibilities for managing compliance with independence and internal firm policies related to business relationships and client affiliate identification, assistance with policy development to enable the field to distinguish between business relationships and engagement specific independence consultations, and processes supporting the preceding. This role includes assistance with review, analysis, and support of firm relationships with third parties, management of relationships’ classifications within the firm’s entity system of record, initial review of independence consultations, maintenance of team’s internal site, presentation and content updates, data validation and reporting, and ad hoc project assistance. Directly supervises and prioritizes the work of assisting resources with respect to achieving these responsibilities.  Relocation is not required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Assist with review and analysis of consultations, reporting, and ongoing monitoring of controls as appropriate. Consult with client servers and other internal RSM teams such as legal, finance, extended workforce, conflicts of interest, strategic sourcing, marketing and other teams with respect to business relationships independence, including affiliate identification. (35% of time)
• Participate in continuous development of a business relationship processes and systems.  Assist with development and execution of procedures to manage and process firm business relationships while the business requirements for a future state environment are being assessed. Identify and communicate process improvement ideas. Participate in UAT activities. (20% of time)
• To comply with established system of quality control, facilitate bi-weekly review and reconciliation of cleared business relationships with the RSM InTrust system of record. Assessment and preparation of data to be loaded as part of internal policy related data management within the firm’s system of record. (25% of time)
• Present business relationship trainings and guidance and assist with supervising activities of the team’s Associate(s). (10% of time)
• Other projects as needed. (10% of time)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, MIS, or similar (required)

Experience

• 4+ years of experience in public accounting (preferred), with exposure to independence considerations in professional practice

Technical/Soft Skills

• Ability to read, understand, and apply SEC, PCAOB and AICPA Independence rules, regulations, policies and procedures to evaluate the impact of changes to the rules (required)
• Conflict resolution skills (required)

• Proficient in use of Microsoft Office products including familiarity with SharePoint as a document repository (required)
• Experience with Alteryx, as well as S&P Capital IQ, EDGAR research tools (preferred),
• Demonstrated ability to identify and recommend process improvement and efficiency
• Ability to develop and maintain applicable professional and internal contacts, resources and networks
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion with respect to internal information
• Ability to communicate information clearly and concisely, verbally and orally to diverse audiences across the firm and to outside professional contacts
• Exhibit high attention to detail and strong proofreading skills

Leadership Skills

• Strong analytical and organizational skills (required)
• Collaborates with all levels to achieve results (required)
• Knows when to escalate issues (required)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with the independence team, engagement and business teams (required)
• Ability to adapt quickly to changes in regulatory environment, industry, and the firm
• Ability to respond positively to changing circumstances, seek and implement change to drive business improvement
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Proactive in requesting and delivering feedback

At RSM, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package for all our people. We offer flexibility in your schedule, empowering you to balance life’s demands, while also maintaining your ability to serve clients. Learn more about our total rewards at https://rsmus.com/careers/working-at-rsm/benefits.

All applicants will receive consideration for employment as RSM does not tolerate discrimination and/or harassment based on race; color; creed; sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances; sex (including pregnancy or disabilities related to nursing); gender; sexual orientation; HIV Status; national origin; ancestry; familial or marital status; age; physical or mental disability; citizenship; political affiliation; medical condition (including family and medical leave); domestic violence victim status; past, current or prospective service in the US uniformed service; US Military/Veteran status; pre-disposing genetic characteristics or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law. 

Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process and/or employment/partnership. RSM is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, interview, or otherwise participate in the recruiting process, please call us at 800-274-3978 or send us an email at careers@rsmus.com.

RSM does not intend to hire entry level candidates who will require sponsorship now OR in the future (i.e. F-1 visa holders). If you are a recent U.S. college / university graduate possessing 1-2 years of progressive and relevant work experience in a same or similar role to the one for which you are applying, excluding internships, you may be eligible for hire as an experienced associate.

RSM will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the requirements of applicable law, including but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For additional information regarding RSM’s background check process, including information about job duties that necessitate the use of one or more types of background checks, click here.

At RSM, an employee’s pay at any point in their career is intended to reflect their experiences, performance, and skills for their current role. The salary range (or starting rate for interns and associates) for this role represents numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, education, skills, work experience, certifications, location, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.