Become A Senior Assurance
Where do you want to work?
Working As A Senior Assurance
- Getting Information
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Analyzing Data or Information
Deal with People
Mostly Sitting
$67,190
Average Salary
What Does A Senior Assurance Do At Orbital ATK
What Does A Senior Assurance Do At Cohnreznick LLP
What Does A Senior Assurance Do At Fulcrum
What Does A Senior Assurance Do At Cliftonlarsonallen, LLP
What Does A Senior Assurance Do At Orbital ATK
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How To Become A Senior Assurance
Most accountants and auditors need at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. Certification within a specific field of accounting improves job prospects. For example, many accountants become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs).
EducationMost accountant and auditor positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire applicants who have a master’s degree, either in accounting or in business administration with a concentration in accounting.
A few universities and colleges offer specialized programs, such as a bachelor’s degree in internal auditing. In some cases, those with associate’s degrees, as well as bookkeepers and accounting clerks who meet the education and experience requirements set by their employers, get junior accounting positions and advance to accountant positions by showing their accounting skills on the job.
Many colleges help students gain practical experience through summer or part-time internships with public accounting or business firms.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsEvery accountant filing a report with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is required by law to be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Many other accountants choose to become a CPA to enhance their job prospects or to gain clients. Many employers will often pay the costs associated with the CPA exam.
CPAs are licensed by their state’s Board of Accountancy. Becoming a CPA requires passing a national exam and meeting other state requirements. Almost all states require CPA candidates to complete 150 semester hours of college coursework to be certified, which is 30 hours more than the usual 4-year bachelor’s degree. Many schools offer a 5-year combined bachelor’s and master’s degree to meet the 150-hour requirement, but a master’s degree is not required.
A few states allow a number of years of public accounting experience to substitute for a college degree.
All states use the four-part Uniform CPA Examination from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Candidates do not have to pass all four parts at once, but most states require that they pass all four parts within 18 months of passing their first part.
Almost all states require CPAs to take continuing education to keep their license.
Certification provides an advantage in the job market because it shows professional competence in a specialized field of accounting and auditing. Accountants and auditors seek certifications from a variety of professional societies. Some of the most common certifications are listed below:
The Institute of Management Accountants offers the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) to applicants who complete a bachelor’s degree. Applicants must have worked at least 2 years in management accounting, pass a two-part exam, agree to meet continuing education requirements, and comply with standards of professional conduct. The exam covers areas such as financial statement analysis, working-capital policy, capital structure, valuation issues, and risk management.
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) offers the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) to graduates from accredited colleges and universities who have worked for 2 years as internal auditors and have passed a four-part exam. The IIA also offers the Certified in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA), Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA), and Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) to those who pass the exams and meet educational and experience requirements.
ISACA offers the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) to candidates who pass an exam and have 5 years of experience auditing information systems. Information systems experience, financial or operational auditing experience, or related college credit hours can be substituted for up to 3 years of experience in information systems auditing, control, or security.
For accountants with a CPA, the AICPA offers the option to receive any or all of the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP), or Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) certifications. The ABV requires a written exam, completion of at least six business valuation projects, and 75 hours of continuing education. The CITP requires 1,000 hours of business technology experience and 75 hours of continuing education. Candidates for the PFS also must complete a certain amount of work experience and continuing education, and pass a written exam.
AdvancementSome top executives and financial managers have a background in accounting, internal auditing, or finance.
Beginning public accountants often advance to positions with more responsibility in 1 or 2 years and to senior positions within another few years. Those who excel may become supervisors, managers, or partners; open their own public accounting firm; or transfer to executive positions in management accounting or internal auditing in private firms.
Management accountants often start as cost accountants, junior internal auditors, or trainees for other accounting positions. As they rise through the organization, they may advance to accounting manager, chief cost accountant, budget director, or manager of internal auditing. Some become controllers, treasurers, financial vice presidents, chief financial officers, or corporation presidents.
Public accountants, management accountants, and internal auditors can move from one aspect of accounting and auditing to another. Public accountants often move into management accounting or internal auditing. Management accountants may become internal auditors, and internal auditors may become management accountants. However, it is less common for management accountants or internal auditors to move into public accounting.
Important QualitiesAnalytical skills. Accountants and auditors must be able to identify issues in documentation and suggest solutions. For example, public accountants use analytical skills in their work to minimize tax liability, and internal auditors use these skills to detect fraudulent use of funds.
Communication skills. Accountants and auditors must be able to listen carefully to facts and concerns from clients, managers, and others. They must also be able to discuss the results of their work in both meetings and written reports.
Detail oriented. Accountants and auditors must pay attention to detail when compiling and examining documentation.
Math skills. Accountants and auditors must be able to analyze, compare, and interpret facts and figures, although complex math skills are not necessary.
Organizational skills. Strong organizational skills are important for accountants and auditors who often work with a range of financial documents for a variety of clients.
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Senior Assurance jobs
Senior Assurance Career Paths
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Audit Manager 4.3 years
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Senior Auditor 3.5 years
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Senior Assurance 3.0 years
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Auditor-In-Charge 2.8 years
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Finance Auditor 2.8 years
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Staff Auditor 2.1 years
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Associate Auditor 1.8 years
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Internship 11.4%
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Staff Accountant 9.8%
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Staff Auditor 6.5%
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Senior Auditor 6.5%
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Senior Accountant 4.9%
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Finance Analyst 4.1%
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Accountant 4.1%
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Senior Associate 4.1%
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Consultant 3.3%
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Auditor Supervisor 3.3%
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Associate 3.3%
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Service Manager 2.4%
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Cost Accountant 2.4%
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Teaching Assistant 2.4%
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Senior Accountant 10.1%
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Assurance Manager 9.5%
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Controller 7.7%
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Senior Manager 6.5%
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Manager 6.0%
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Finance Analyst 5.4%
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Corporate Controller 5.4%
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Accounting Manager 4.8%
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Assistant Controller 4.8%
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Finance Director 4.2%
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Director 3.6%
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Vice President 3.6%
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Senior Associate 3.6%
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Finance Manager 3.0%
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Consultant 3.0%
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Senior Analyst 2.4%
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Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Senior Assurance
Top Careers After Senior Assurance
Senior Assurance Demographics
Gender
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Male
60.7% -
Female
36.2% -
Unknown
3.1%
Ethnicity
-
White
69.9% -
Asian
14.8% -
Hispanic or Latino
11.0% -
Unknown
3.7% -
Black or African American
0.6%
Languages Spoken
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Spanish
16.7% -
Chinese
12.5% -
French
12.5% -
Mandarin
12.5% -
Arabic
8.3% -
Korean
8.3% -
Portuguese
4.2% -
Cantonese
4.2% -
Hindi
4.2% -
Dakota
4.2% -
Urdu
4.2% -
Italian
4.2% -
Russian
4.2%
Senior Assurance
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Senior Assurance Education
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University of California - Berkeley
10.6% -
Santa Clara University
6.4% -
West Virginia University
6.4% -
University of Notre Dame
6.4% -
University of Kansas
6.4% -
Rice University
4.3% -
University of Houston
4.3% -
Illinois State University
4.3% -
Arizona State University
4.3% -
Temple University
4.3% -
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
4.3% -
University of Central Florida
4.3% -
University of California - Los Angeles
4.3% -
Florida Atlantic University
4.3% -
Central Michigan University
4.3% -
Georgia State University
4.3% -
Rochester Institute of Technology
4.3% -
University of North Florida
4.3% -
Seton Hall University
4.3% -
Western Illinois University
4.3% -
Accounting 56.1%
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Business 20.9%
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Finance 6.1%
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Computer Science 3.1%
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Marketing 2.0%
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Management 1.5%
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Business/Commerce 1.5%
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Business Economics 1.0%
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Journalism 1.0%
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Chemical Engineering 1.0%
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Systems Engineering 0.5%
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Writing 0.5%
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-
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Political Science 0.5%
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Soil Science 0.5%
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Sustainability 0.5%
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Bachelors
50.9% -
Masters
38.0% -
Other
5.6% -
Certificate
2.3% -
Doctorate
1.9% -
Associate
0.9% -
Diploma
0.5%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Senior Assurance
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Senior Assurance Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Atlanta, GA | Mar 28, 2016 | $175,000 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | New York, NY | Jul 16, 2016 | $174,000 |
| SR. Qaulity Assurance Engineer | Highfive Technologies, Inc. | Redwood City, CA | Apr 01, 2016 | $135,000 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Houston, TX | Jul 14, 2016 | $135,000 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst &Amp; Young U.S. LLP | Houston, TX | May 20, 2016 | $135,000 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst &Amp; Young U.S. LLP | Houston, TX | May 19, 2016 | $135,000 |
| Senior Flow Assurance Engineer | Onesubsea LLC | Houston, TX | Apr 04, 2016 | $129,022 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Chicago, IL | Jul 22, 2016 | $118,180 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Iselin, NJ | Aug 23, 2016 | $116,000 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Wilmington, DE | Apr 04, 2016 | $112,500 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | San Francisco, CA | Jul 22, 2016 | $110,870 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | San Ramon, CA | Mar 08, 2016 | $110,870 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Redwood City, CA | Nov 29, 2016 | $79,000 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | San Francisco, CA | Nov 29, 2016 | $79,000 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Redwood City, CA | Dec 13, 2016 | $78,800 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | San Jose, CA | Jul 30, 2016 | $78,800 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst &Amp; Young U.S. LLP | New York, NY | Aug 25, 2016 | $78,750 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | New York, NY | Jul 22, 2015 | $78,650 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Atlanta, GA | Mar 24, 2016 | $78,650 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Chicago, IL | Sep 04, 2015 | $78,500 |
| Assurance Services Senior | Moss Adams LLP | Los Angeles, CA | Sep 21, 2015 | $72,000 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Allentown, PA | Feb 11, 2016 | $72,000 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Dallas, TX | May 08, 2016 | $72,000 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young LLP | Boston, MA | Jul 15, 2016 | $72,000 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young LLP | New York, NY | Jul 15, 2016 | $72,000 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | IL | Aug 17, 2015 | $72,000 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Chicago, IL | Aug 17, 2015 | $72,000 |
| Assurance Senior | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Chattanooga, TN | Jul 30, 2016 | $72,000 |
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Top Skills for A Senior Assurance
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Top Senior Assurance Skills
- Audit Engagements
- Gaas
- Audit Procedures
- Reviewed the work of staff associates on audits of non-profit and single audit engagements.
- Reviewed derivatives and business combination audit procedures.
- Performed the branch's first Sarbanes-Oxley financial audit for a public water utility within budget and deadline.
- Identified ambiguous business processes in start up companies and developed SOX 404 control objectives and testing procedure to remediate audit risks.
- Coordinated audit for multinational companies and work with client personnel from various geographic locations.
Top Senior Assurance Employers
BDO Seidman, LLP
GHP Horwath, P.C.
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