Director of Quality Assurance

Assurance Director, Professional Standards Group

Hybrid | St. Louis, MO or Kansas City, MO | Permanent Position

Position Overview

The Assurance Director, Professional Standards Group is a key leadership role within the Firm’s Assurance Services Department. This position is responsible for ensuring the highest quality in external audit and accounting practices, aligning with regulatory standards and professional ethics. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in external audits, preferably having worked in a CPA firm conducting assurance engagements under AICPA, PCAOB, or other relevant standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Audit Quality Leadership: Lead the implementation and operation of the Firm’s audit quality management standards, ensuring adherence to professional and regulatory requirements.
• Engagement Oversight: Perform engagement quality reviews of audit workpapers and financial statements, providing technical expertise and quality assurance.
• Technical Research & Methodology: Evaluate and implement new methodology initiatives and technology applications with a focus on external audit quality.
• Regulatory Compliance & Standards Monitoring: Stay updated on new accounting, auditing, and professional standards, including FASB, AICPA, PCAOB, and other relevant bodies. Develop firm-wide implementation strategies.
• Practice Support & Guidance: Work closely with audit engagement teams to analyze complex auditing, accounting, and professional ethics issues across various industries.
• Training & Development: Organize and present firm-wide continuing education sessions and external seminars on technical accounting and auditing topics.
• Policy & Process Development: Monitor practice issues and contribute to the development of internal policies to enhance audit quality.
• Thought Leadership: Author technical content for external publications, participate in industry forums, and contribute to the Firm’s professional reputation.
• Engagement Quality Control Review (EQCR): Oversee the EQCR selection and assignment process in coordination with Assurance Partners and Risk Management Committee.
• Other Duties: Support additional audit and assurance-related initiatives as assigned.

Preferred Experience & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Experience: At least seven years of experience in external audit, with a strong background in assurance services within a CPA firm.
• Certification: CPA designation (required).
• Technical Expertise:
• Strong knowledge of FASB and AICPA standards.
• Familiarity with PCAOB, SEC, GASB, HUD, ERISA, IFRS, or other relevant professional standards.
• Ability to effectively leverage audit technology tools.
• Leadership & Communication:
• Excellent supervisory, analytical, and leadership abilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to engage with teams, clients, and regulatory bodies.
• Ability to work collaboratively with partners, managers, and associates.
• Project Management & Organizational Skills:
• Ability to manage multiple projects with strict attention to detail.
• Proven ability to set and achieve goals within challenging deadlines.
• Ethical & Professional Standards:
• Commitment to upholding the highest standards of professional ethics and quality in external audit engagements.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work model with in-office presence required in St. Louis, MO or Kansas City, MO.
• Standard office hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Ability to sit for extended periods and move within the office environment.
• Occasional travel may be required for training, client meetings, or industry events.