Senior Associate – Strategy & Operations, M&A Transaction Accounting - Charleston, SC

WHO WE ARE

Elliott Davis pairs forward-thinking tax, assurance and consulting services with industry-leading workplace culture. Our nine offices — located in the fastest growing cities in the US — are built on a foundation of inclusivity, collaboration, and collective growth. We work daily to provide exceptional service to our people, customers, and our communities. Audit and assurance services are provided by Elliott Davis, LLC(doing business in NC and D.C. as Elliott Davis, PLLC), a licensed CPA firm.

Elliott Davis is a leading provider of transaction, strategy, and CFO services to private equity portfolio and high-growth companies throughout the lower middle market and middle market. Our team of experts partners with portfolio company leadership and investors to transform legacy finance functions into the storyteller and strategic driver for their businesses. We also partner with founder and family-owned businesses as they prepare for a capital event.

In this role, will play a critical role in supporting private equity and corporate clients through the post‑acquisition accounting lifecycle. This position focuses on delivering high‑quality financial analyses related to opening balance sheets, net working capital (NWC) calculations, post‑close adjustments, and final closing statement preparation. Leveraging strong technical accounting skills and transaction experience, you will help clients establish accurate financial reporting, validate transaction-related balances, and address key accounting considerations immediately following a deal close. You will also collaborate with cross-functional teams and target company personnel to ensure data integrity, smooth integration, and timely delivery of all workstreams.

Responsibilities:

• Provide timely, high quality client service that meets or exceeds client expectations
• Perform net working capital calculations, including trend analyses and evaluation of peg vs. closing NWC positions.
• Assist with preparation of opening balance sheets and post-close purchase price adjustments
• Participate in kickoff meetings, management discussions, and walkthroughs with acquired businesses to gather and validate information
• Develop an understanding of the client's business and recognize key performance drivers, trends and developments and identify performance improvement opportunities and recommend creative solutions to complex issues and broaden our business relationships where possible
• Evaluate and enhance client accounting processes to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting during the post‑close period
• Provide audit readiness and support and financial statement preparation for newly acquired private equity portfolio companies
• Research and apply complex accounting principles for client specific scenarios
• Collaborate closely with personnel from the acquired entity as well as client teams to facilitate smooth engagement execution
• Ensure all deliverables are completed on time and meet the firm’s quality standards
• Effectively manage communications to all audiences of the work, including auditors, tax service providers, valuation service providers, and key client stakeholders
• Manage multiple workstreams in a fast‑paced environment while maintaining high standards of quality and client service.

Requirements:

• 3+ years of public accounting, transaction advisory, audit, and/or operational accounting experience (middle market preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA preferred
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP with some exposure to purchase accounting concepts and broader M&A lifecycle
• Forward-thinking, interested in intersection of finance and technology such utilizing Copilot and other tools to improve transaction accounting processes and quality
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and thrive in a dynamic and evolving environment

#LI-JR1

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN US

We believe that when our employees are able to thrive in all facets of life, their work and impact are that much greater.That's right – all aspects of life, not just your life as an employee, because we understand that there's life beyond your job. Here are some of the ways our work works for your life, your growth, and your well-being: 

    generous time away and paid firm holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’sflexible work schedules

    16 weeks of paid maternity and adoption leave, 8 weeks of paid parental leave, 4 weeks of paid  

and caregiver leave (once eligible) 

    first-class health and wellness benefits, including wellness coaching and mental health counselingone-on-one professional coaching

    Leadership and career development programsaccess to Beyond:  a one-of-a kind program with experiences that help you expand your life, personally and professionally

NOTICE TO 3RD PARTY RECRUITERSNotice to Recruiters and Agencies regarding unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions without prior express written approval. Resumes submitted or candidates referred to any employee of Elliott Davis by any external recruiter or recruitment agency by any means (including but not limited to via Internet, e-mail, fax, U.S. mail, and/or verbal communications) without a properly executed written contract for a specified position by an authorized member of the Talent Acquisition team become the property of Elliott Davis. Elliott Davis will not be responsible for, or owe any fees associated with, referrals of those candidates and/or for submission of any information, including resumes, associated with individuals.

ADA REQUIREMENTSThe physical and cognitive/mental requirements and the work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical RequirementsWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is:    Regularly required to remain in a stationary position; use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment; and to talk or hear, both in person and by telephoneRequired to have specific vision abilities which include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focusCognitive/Mental RequirementsWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

    Use written and oral communication skills. Read and interpret data, information, and documents. 

    Observe and interpret situations. Work under deadlines with frequent interruptions; andInteract with internal and external customers and others in the course of work.