Senior Accountant, Client Accounting Services

Senior Accountant, Client Accounting Services

Blackman & Sloop Advisors, Inc  |  Chapel Hill, NC

Who We Are

About Blackman & Sloop

At Blackman & Sloop, we hire great people and give them a great place to work. We listen to what our employees value, and being a local firm gives us the advantage of flexibility. Our secret to retaining staff is a positive culture, strong community involvement, and a dedication to constantly increasing our competencies. We are a two-office firm, with locations in Chapel Hill and Greensboro, and approximately 45 full-time staff.

For 8 years, we've been honored as one of Accounting Today's "Best Accounting Firms to Work For"! We've also been recognized by Business North Carolina as one of the "Best Employers in North Carolina" list for multiple years. Most recently, we are proud to have received the Best Companies Group award for Best Accounting Firms for Women in Chapel Hill.

As an independent member of the BDO Alliance, we have access to the resources of BDO USA, LLP, the world's 5th largest accounting and consulting firm. Additionally in May 2024, we made the strategic decision to join Ascend to usher us in our next stage of growth.

About Ascend

At Ascend, we understand the struggles that accounting & finance professionals face in traditional public accounting firms - from rigid hierarchies, overwhelming workloads, and the elusive work-life balance. It's time for a transformative change. We believe your ambition should not be constrained by outdated practices or opaque career paths. Here, you're not just a number; you're a valued member of a community that supports & celebrates your professional & personal fulfillment. Our mission is to transform the public accounting experience into one where work-life harmony is a reality, and where your career advancement is supported by a nurturing network and comprehensive resources.

Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today's industry challenges to reach their full potential.

For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.

The Role

We are seeking a Senior Accountant, Client Accounting Services to help lead client engagements within our forward-thinking Client Accounting Services (CAS) practice - a team that pairs modern accounting technology with hands-on advisory to help closely held businesses and nonprofits run on clean books, real-time financial data, and efficient systems. This is a hands-on, client-facing role for someone with three to five years of public accounting experience who is comfortable owning a portfolio of engagements and helping the team build smarter, more automated workflows.

You will manage a portfolio of client engagements - from monthly close and reconciliations to financial reporting and cash flow support and the outsourced controller function - while leveraging AI-enabled tools and automation to streamline routine work and surface insights for clients. You will set clear expectations at the start of each engagement, respond promptly to client needs, and deliver quality work on time and within budget.

You will also collaborate closely with our tax colleagues on shared clients and contribute ideas for how our practice and our clients can use technology to work smarter.

Key Responsibilities

Client Service & Advisory

• Manage a portfolio of client engagements - monthly close, reconciliations, financial reporting, cash flow support, fractional controllership and management insights - using cloud-based tools and automation to improve accuracy and turnaround time
• Prepare and review management reports, translating the numbers into clear, actionable insights for clients
• Onboard new CAS clients and lead system setup and process design in QuickBooks Online, Bill.com, and other cloud accounting and automation tools
• Develop a thorough understanding of each client's business to diagnose needs, suggest solutions, and identify opportunities to add value
• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact, set clear expectations at the start of each engagement, and respond promptly to client inquiries

Engagement & Project Management

• Organize and manage client assignments so that tasks are completed within scope, budget, and deadlines
• Manage a client portfolio across multiple engagements, prioritizing clients, tasks, and requests
• Identify opportunities to automate or streamline recurring processes and champion adoption of new technology across the practice
• Monitor engagement profitability and budgets and communicate financial performance where appropriate
• Participate in team meetings, communicating regularly with managers on availability and progress

Communication & Business Development

• Communicate confidently and persuasively with clients, contacts, and team members, both verbally and in writing
• Prepare complete, well-organized work products and reports that express complex ideas clearly
• Recognize and communicate cross-sell and scope increase opportunities, presenting service options that address client needs
• Build long-term client relationships and support the proposal and onboarding process for new clients

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting
• 3-5 years of experience in public accounting
• Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP
• Proficiency with QuickBooks Online
• Experience processing or reviewing payroll and sales/use tax filings
• A curious, process improvement mindset and comfort working in a fast-paced, evolving practice
• Strong communication, organizational, and project management skills
• A client-first mindset with an entrepreneurial spirit

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving a variety of clients, including nonprofit clients
• Experience working across multiple client entities or industries simultaneously
• Experience in Client Accounting and Advisory Services
• Experience with AI-enabled accounting tools

Who We Look For

A tech-forward accountant who's as comfortable in a spreadsheet as with new automation tools, and who takes genuine ownership of client work. Someone who pairs strong technical accounting skills with the curiosity to find a better way of doing things and the communication skills to guide both clients and other staff. A collaborative, entrepreneurial teammate who anticipates client needs, delivers quality work on time and within budget, and brings energy and high standards to a growing, progressive CAS practice.

Location & Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt position. At Blackman & Sloop, our flexible hybrid or remote work structure supports both close collaboration with the team and independent, focused work.

What We Offer

We hire talented people and give them a place to do their best work - with modern tools, real autonomy, and a team that genuinely enjoys collaborating. Our secret to keeping great people around is a positive culture, strong community involvement, and ongoing investment in new skills and technology. We truly believe that when you succeed, the firm succeeds, and we make sure you have whatever tools you need to make that success possible.

Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that supports well-being, health, and ongoing professional growth:

• Unlimited PTO
• Medical, dental, vision, and voluntary insurance options
• 401(k) matching
• Performance bonus
• 12 paid holidays
• Off-season Flex Fridays
• Closed on Fridays during the month of June
• Commitment to professional development

How to Apply

Submit your information in the application section directly belo.! This will include:

• Basic contact information
• Resume/CV and optional cover letter upload
• Work eligibility, credentials, and compensation
• Voluntary demographic & self-ID questions

For questions or inquiries about the role, please reach out to Karina Matos, Recruiter at Karina.Matos@AscendTogether.com

At Ascend, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Ascend hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.