Assurance Associate - Fall 2026 (Chicago)

Job Summary:

The Assurance Associate will be responsible for preparing financial statements with disclosures, applying basic areas of GAAP as necessary and documenting, validating, testing, and assessing various control systems. This position may also be involved in reviews and agreed-upon procedure engagements. The Assurance Associate will be expected to travel, as needed, to meet firm and client needs.
Job Duties

Control Environment:

• Applies knowledge and understanding of the collective effect of various factors on establishing or enhancing effectiveness, or mitigating the risks, of specific policies and procedures by:
  • Identifying and considering all applicable policies, laws, rules, and regulations of the firm, regulators, or other authoritative bodies as part of engagement team;
  • Making constructive suggestions to improve client internal controls and accounting procedures;
  • Documenting and validating the operating effectiveness of the clients’ internal control system.

GAAP:

• Applies knowledge and understanding of governing principles; applying these principles to client transactions; and documenting and communicating an understanding and application of these principles by:
  • Providing support of conclusions with authoritative literature;
  • Drafting basic sets of financial statements with disclosures;
  • Researching intermediate areas of accounting and forming an initial opinion on the correct treatment independently

GAAS:

• Applies knowledge and understanding of professional standards; application of the principles contained in professional standards; and the ability to document and communicate an understanding and application of professional standards on an engagement by:
  • Developing and applying an intermediate knowledge of auditing theory, a sense of audit skepticism, and the use of BDO audit manuals
  • Applying auditing theory to various client situations
  • Documenting in line with BDO policy, identifying deviations and notifying more senior team members in order to obtain appropriate approvals
• Applying knowledge to identify instances where testing may be reduced or expanded and notifying more senior team members of the occurrence
  • Contributing ideas/opinions to the engagement teams

Methodology:

• Applies knowledge and application of BDO standards to guide effective and efficient delivery of quality services and products by:
  • Completing all appropriate documentation of BDO work papers
  • Ensuring assigned work is performed in accordance with BDO methodology and requirements

Research:

• Applies methodology used to seek or maintain information from authoritative sources and to draw conclusions regarding a target issue based on the information by:
  • Researching basic and intermediate accounting topics and forming an initial opinion on the treatment independently
• Other duties as required
   

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or Statistics, required OR Bachelor’s degree in other focus area and CPA certification, required
• Master’s in Accountancy, preferred

Experience:

• Leadership experience, preferred
• Accounting based internship, preferred

License/Certifications:

• Eligible to sit for the CPA exams upon starting employment, required
• Actively pursuing completion of CPA exams, preferred

Software:

• Proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite, required

Other Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to follow instructions as directed
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting 
• Ability and willingness to travel, as needed, required
• Takes appropriate actions without being asked
• Basic understanding and experience planning and coordinating the stages to perform an audit of a basic public and/or private company

Individual salaries that are offered to a candidate are determined after consideration of numerous factors including but not limited to the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and geography.

California Range:  $85,000 - $90,000
Colorado Range:  $73,000 - $77,000
Illinois Range:  $78,000 - $82,000
Maryland Range:  $83,000 - $87,000
Massachusetts Range:  $83,000 - $87,000
Minnesota Range:  $70,000 - $74,000
New Jersey Range:  $78,000 - $82,000
NYC/Long Island/Westchester Range:  $83,000 - $87,000
Ohio Range: $71,000 - $75,000
Washington Range:  $78,000 - $80,000
Washington DC Range:  $83,000 - $87,000

Join us at BDO, where you will find more than a career, you’ll find a place where your work is impactful, and you are valued for your individuality. We offer flexibility and opportunities for advancement. Our culture is centered around making meaningful connections, approaching interactions with curiosity, and being true to yourself, all while making a positive difference in the world. 

At BDO, our purpose of helping people thrive every day is at the heart of everything we do. Together, we are focused on delivering exceptional and sustainable outcomes and value for our people, our clients, and our communities. BDO is proud to be an ESOP company, reflecting a culture that puts people first, by sharing financially in our growth in value with our U.S. team.  BDO professionals provide assurance, tax and advisory services for a diverse range of clients across the U.S. and in over 160 countries through our global organization.

BDO is the first large accounting and advisory organization to implement an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). A qualified retirement plan, the ESOP offers participants a stake in the firm’s success through beneficial ownership and a unique opportunity to enhance their financial well-being. The ESOP stands as a compelling addition to our comprehensive compensation and Total Rewards benefits* offerings. The annual allocation to the ESOP is fully funded by BDO through investments in company stock and grants employees the chance to grow their wealth over time as their shares vest and grow in value with the firm’s success, with no employee contributions. 

We are committed to delivering exceptional experiences to middle market leaders by sharing insight-driven perspectives, helping companies take business as usual to better than usual. With industry knowledge and experience, a breadth and depth of resources, and unwavering commitment to quality, we pride ourselves on:

• Welcoming diverse perspectives and understanding the experience of our professionals and clients
• Empowering team members to explore their full potential
• Our talented team who brings varying skills, knowledge and experience to proactively help our clients navigate an expanding array of complex challenges and opportunities
• Celebrating ingenuity and innovation to transform our business and help our clients transform theirs
• Focus on resilience and sustainability to positively impact our people, clients, and communities
• BDO Total Rewards that encompass so much more than traditional “benefits.”  Click here to find out more!

*Benefits may be subject to eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets