At Stout, we’re dedicated to exceeding expectations in all we do – we call it Relentless Excellence ®. Both our client service and culture are second to none, stemming from our firmwide embrace of our core values: Positive and Team-Oriented, Accountable, Committed, Relationship-Focused, Super-Responsive, and being Great communicators. Sound like a place you can grow and succeed? Read on to learn more about an exciting opportunity to join our team.
Impact You’ll Make
- Lead Risk Advisory engagements focused on SOX 404 compliance, ICFR readiness, and controls transformation for public, pre-IPO, and private companies.
- Oversee risk assessment and controls evaluation performed by engagement team members; review work product for quality and consistency with Stout methodology.
- Lead client-facing discussions to communicate findings to senior stakeholders including CFOs, Controllers, and Audit Committees.
- Independently manage the full lifecycle of controls engagements—scoping, staffing, delivery, and client relationship management—with limited Director/MD oversight.
What You’ll Do
- Serve as the day-to-day engagement leader and primary client contact, managing communications, deliverable timelines, and team workflow across concurrent SOX 404 and controls-related engagements.
- Own engagement scoping and project planning; develop strategies tailored to client risk profiles, organizational complexity, and regulatory requirements.
- Review, finalize, and issue client deliverables—including risk-control matrices, management reports, and board/audit committee presentations—ensuring accuracy, clarity, and adherence to Stout quality standards.
- Leverage Stout's proprietary and third-party platforms—including Workiva, AuditBoard, and FloQast—and advise clients on optimizing their GRC and ERP environments (NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Workday, Sage) to strengthen their control infrastructure.
- Translate control gap findings into actionable improvement roadmaps and provide implementation support through to resolution.
- Lead engagements for companies preparing for or recently completing an IPO or SPAC transaction, including first-time SOX 404 implementations, ICFR readiness assessments, and remediation of control environments transitioning from private to public company requirements.
- Coach and develop junior team members through real-time feedback, workpaper reviews, and structured mentorship aligned with Stout's performance framework.
What You Bring
- Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting concepts, including technical accounting topics (e.g., revenue recognition, business combinations, stock-based compensation, leases) as they intersect with ICFR scope and control design.
- Demonstrated expertise in ICFR and SOX 404, with a track record of independently leading end-to-end engagements—from scoping and risk assessment through testing, deficiency evaluation, and remediation—including experience advising clients on material weakness and significant deficiency disclosures.
- Solid grounding in the COSO Internal Control—Integrated Framework and PCAOB auditing standards (including AS 2201); experience advising on the design of entity-level and process-level controls and navigating material weakness remediation strategies.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proven ability to communicate complex technical findings to C-suite and board-level audiences; experience presenting to Audit Committees or senior finance leadership is strongly preferred.
- Track record of building and sustaining client relationships; existing referral network or demonstrated ability to originate and develop client engagements is a strong plus.
- Proven experience leveraging technology to enhance audit and controls processes, including hands-on use of GRC platforms (e.g., Workiva, AuditBoard, ServiceNow GRC); interest in contributing to the development of proprietary tools and methodologies that differentiate Stout's Risk Advisory practice.
- Highly organized with strong project and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent engagements and client relationships effectively.
- Experience with IPO-readiness engagements, SPAC transactions, or first-time SOX 404 implementations is highly desirable.
- Collaborative leadership style with the ability to motivate and develop engagement teams while managing upward to Directors and MDs on complex, high-visibility engagements.
- Experience managing and developing engagement staff, with a commitment to mentorship and inclusive team leadership.
Education and/or Training:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting.
- 6–8+ years of relevant professional experience, including at least 2 years at the Manager or Senior Manager level at a Big 4 or national firm with primary responsibility for SOX 404 / ICFR engagements. Big 4 experience strongly preferred.
- CPA license required. CIA or CISA credential is a plus.
How You’ll Thrive
- Manage shifting client-imposed deadlines with flexibility and adaptability, while effectively communicating timeline impacts and managing team capacity across concurrent engagements.
- Exhibit strong organizational skills to manage competing priorities effectively.
- Lead by example in embodying Stout’s core values—Positive and Team-Oriented, Accountable, Committed, Relationship-Focused, Super-Responsive, and Great Communicators—and actively foster a team culture that reflects these values across every engagement.
- Demonstrate a commitment to delivering Relentless Excellence® in client service and team collaboration.
Why Stout?
At Stout, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program with competitive compensation, benefits, and wellness options tailored to support employees at every stage of life.
We foster a culture of inclusion and respect, embracing diverse perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and success. Our leadership is committed to inclusion and belonging across the organization and in the communities we serve.
We invest in professional growth through ongoing training, mentorship, employee resource groups, and clear performance feedback, ensuring our employees are supported in achieving their career goals.
Stout provides flexible work schedules and a discretionary time off policy to promote work-life balance and help employees lead fulfilling lives.
Learn more about our benefits and commitment to your success.
https://www.stout.com/en/careers/benefits
The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.
Stout is an Equal Employment Opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of valid job requirements, qualifications and merit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Stout is required by applicable state and local laws to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. The range for this role considers several factors including but not limited to prior work and industry experience, education level, and unique skills. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.
A reasonable estimate of the current range is $120,000.00 - $215,000.00 Annual. This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan. Information about benefits can be found here -
https://www.stout.com/en/careers/benefits.
