National Director, Independence - Premier Private Equity

Job Summary:

The National Director, Independence – Premier Private Equity Services supports the Firm’s Premier Private Equity (PE) Practice in relation to the maintenance of the firm’s independence for Premier PE clients. The Director works closely with the PE Premier Lead Relationship Partners (LRP) and engagement partners of the Premier PE clients to evaluate the independence impact of proposed engagements by BDO member firms and US engagement teams and advise appropriately.  The Director also works closely with BDO member firms, Premier PE Account Management team, and the National Independence Private Equity Conflicts teams.
 

Job Duties:

For select Private Equity (PE) Premier Accounts:

• Provides exceptional support for the Lead Relationship Partner (LRP) and engagement partners by responding to incoming conflict checks and questions from BDO member firms and US engagement teams with respect to the permissibility of engagements (and other relationships) for the PE firm and its portfolio companies
• Attends and participates on client calls with LRP, as requested
• Evaluates proposed engagements (and other relationships) under the applicable independence standards (e.g., AICPA, SEC, PCAOB, IESBA) to determine whether they would create threats to (i.e., impair) the firm’s independence
• Works with the Private Equity Conflicts Team and LRPs to keep the firm’s corporate tree for each Account as complete, accurate and up to date as possible
• Develops effective working relationships with the Premier PE Accounts team, and with the BDO firms servicing the PE firm’s portfolio companies
• Assists the Private Equity Conflicts Team with evaluating responses from BDO member firms for PE Premier Accounts’ annual conflict checks and collaborates with them on other matters, as needed
• Develops independence guidance and/or tools for PE practice, as needed
• Identifies opportunities for process improvement, where appropriate
• Other duties, as required

 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Trains and oversee manager(s) who will assist with execution of above job duties
• Acts as a Career Advisor to manager(s)
• Provides verbal and written performance reviews to manager(s)

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree, required; focus in Accounting or Business, preferred 

Experience:

• Three (3) or more years of audit experience in a public accounting firm, required
• Ten (10) or more years of experience working with the AICPA, IESBA and/or SEC/PCAOB independence/ethics rules required, including application of such rules to private equity structures
• Supervisory experience, preferred

License/Certifications:

• CPA license (or equivalent), preferred
   

Software:

• Advanced level of proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Outlook, Excel, and Word, required

Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Exception customer/engagement team support
• Excellent understanding and knowledge of the profession’s independence and ethics standards, including AICPA, SEC and/or PCAOB independence rules and regulations; Basic understanding and knowledge of IESBA independence standards
• Excellent understanding of application of aforementioned rules to private equity structures
• Ability to work in a deadline driven environment, and handle multiple projects/tasks with an attention to detail
• Ability to successfully multi-task while working independently or in coordination with other professionals
• Able to understand and maintain the confidentiality of all information
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to relate with diverse personalities in a tactful and mature manner
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to respond tactfully and professionally in high demand situations

 

Individual salaries that are offered to a candidate are determined after consideration of