Accounting

Public Accountant job description

A Public Accountant provides external audit, tax preparation, and advisory services to diverse clients, ensuring GAAP compliance and financial accuracy across industries.

Published June 24, 2024Updated May 9, 20262319 likes

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Job brief

We are seeking a dedicated Public Accountant to join our growing CPA firm and serve a diverse portfolio of clients across manufacturing, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. In this role, you will conduct financial statement audits, prepare complex tax returns, and provide strategic advisory services that help our clients achieve their financial goals and maintain regulatory compliance. You will work directly with client executives, CFOs, and accounting teams while developing expertise across multiple industries and accounting specializations. If you are passionate about public accounting excellence and want to build a rewarding career with significant client interaction and professional growth opportunities, we invite you to apply.

Key highlights

Plan and execute financial statement audits under GAAS standards, performing risk assessments, testing internal controls, and documenting findings in audit workpapers using CaseWare or TeamMate software
Prepare federal and state tax returns for corporations, partnerships, and high-net-worth individuals using ProConnect Tax or CCH Axcess, ensuring compliance with current tax regulations
Provide business advisory services including cash flow projections, internal control assessments, and merger and acquisition due diligence support
Supervise and mentor staff accountants and interns, reviewing their work quality and providing technical guidance on audit procedures and client service delivery

What is a Public Accountant?

A Public Accountant is a licensed CPA who provides external accounting services including audits, tax preparation, and financial consulting to businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. Working at public accounting firms ranging from Big Four to boutique practices, Public Accountants apply GAAP and IFRS standards to verify financial statement accuracy, prepare complex tax returns, and deliver advisory services such as forensic accounting and business valuation. Their independent expertise ensures regulatory compliance, supports capital market transparency, and provides objective financial analysis that stakeholders rely on for critical business decisions.

What does a Public Accountant do?

A Public Accountant conducts field work at client sites to perform audit procedures, testing internal controls and substantiating account balances through confirmations, analytical reviews, and detailed transaction testing. They prepare individual and corporate tax returns using software such as ProConnect, Lacerte, or CCH Axcess, researching tax code changes and optimizing client tax positions while ensuring IRS and state compliance. Public Accountants also compile interim financial statements, assist with SEC filings for public companies, and present findings to client management teams and audit committees during busy season engagements from January through April.

Key responsibilities

Plan and execute financial statement audits under GAAS standards, performing risk assessments, testing internal controls, and documenting findings in audit workpapers using CaseWare or TeamMate software
Prepare federal and state tax returns for corporations, partnerships, and high-net-worth individuals using ProConnect Tax or CCH Axcess, ensuring compliance with current tax regulations
Conduct substantive audit procedures including accounts receivable confirmations, inventory observations, and analytical reviews to verify financial statement assertions
Review and compile monthly and quarterly financial statements for private companies, ensuring proper application of GAAP accounting principles and disclosure requirements
Assist with SEC reporting requirements for public company clients, including 10-K and 10-Q filings, proxy statements, and quarterly earnings support
Provide business advisory services including cash flow projections, internal control assessments, and merger and acquisition due diligence support
Research complex accounting and tax issues using authoritative literature such as the FASB Codification, IRC regulations, and state tax codes
Supervise and mentor staff accountants and interns, reviewing their work quality and providing technical guidance on audit procedures and client service delivery

Requirements and skills

Active CPA license in good standing with relevant state board of accountancy, with commitment to meeting continuing professional education requirements
Bachelor's degree in Accounting with 150 credit hours completed to meet CPA education requirements, Master's in Accounting or MBA preferred
3+ years of public accounting experience at a regional or national CPA firm, with exposure to audit, tax, and advisory service lines
Proficiency in audit software such as CaseWare Working Papers, TeamMate Analytics, or MindBridge AI, along with advanced Excel skills including pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions
Strong knowledge of GAAP, GAAS, and federal tax code provisions, with ability to research complex accounting and tax issues using professional literature
Experience with tax preparation software including Lacerte, ProConnect, or CCH Axcess, and familiarity with QuickBooks, Sage, or other client accounting systems
Excellent client service skills with ability to communicate technical accounting concepts clearly to business owners, CFOs, and audit committees
Strong project management abilities to handle multiple client engagements simultaneously during busy season while meeting strict deadlines and quality standards

FAQs

What does a Public Accountant do during busy season?

During busy season from January through April, a Public Accountant works extended hours conducting financial statement audits and preparing tax returns for multiple clients simultaneously. They spend significant time at client locations performing audit procedures, testing internal controls, and gathering documentation to support financial statement assertions. Public Accountants also prepare complex corporate and individual tax returns, research tax planning opportunities, and coordinate with client management teams to resolve audit findings and tax issues. The intensity of busy season requires strong time management skills and the ability to maintain quality standards while meeting strict filing deadlines.

What qualifications are needed to become a Public Accountant?

To become a Public Accountant, you must obtain a CPA license which requires completing 150 credit hours of education (typically a bachelor's degree plus additional coursework), passing the four-part CPA exam, and meeting experience requirements under a licensed CPA's supervision. Most Public Accountants have degrees in accounting, finance, or business with strong coursework in auditing, taxation, and financial reporting. Additionally, Public Accountants must complete continuing professional education annually to maintain their license and stay current with changing accounting standards, tax laws, and professional requirements.

How much does a Public Accountant earn?

Public Accountant salaries vary significantly based on experience level, firm size, and geographic location, typically ranging from $55,000 to $90,000 for entry to mid-level positions. Senior Public Accountants and those with specialized expertise in areas like forensic accounting or international tax can earn $90,000 to $150,000 annually. Public Accountants at Big Four firms generally earn higher base salaries plus performance bonuses, while those at regional or boutique firms may have lower base compensation but faster advancement opportunities and better work-life balance during non-busy season periods.

What career advancement opportunities exist for Public Accountants?

Public Accountants have diverse career advancement paths within public accounting firms, progressing from Staff Accountant to Senior, Manager, Senior Manager, and ultimately Partner levels over 8-12 years. Many Public Accountants leverage their broad client exposure and technical expertise to transition to industry roles as Controllers, CFOs, or Finance Directors at former audit clients. Others specialize in high-demand areas such as forensic accounting, business valuation, or international tax consulting. The CPA credential and public accounting experience also open doors to careers in investment banking, private equity, government agencies like the SEC or IRS, and consulting firms focused on financial advisory services.