Certified Public Accountant Careers

PRINCIPAL

TITLE:                         Principal

CLASSIFICATION:     Full-time

REPORTS TO:             Partners

SUPERVISES:             Managers and Professional Staff

 
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
 

Principals are essentially partners-in-training or employees who have significant length of service and whose contribution to the firm is highly respected.  They are involved in almost all of the areas for which partners are responsible.  They have exhibited technical proficiency and the ability to supervise and complete engagements, possess a thorough knowledge of the firm’s policies and procedures, and serve as intermediaries between partners, clients, and managers. Except for Partner, Principal is the most senior position in the firm.

 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
 

1. Assume responsibility for planning, supervising, and completing engagements.
2. Plan the timing and assigning of staff to engagements.
3. Review engagement workpapers, resolve any problems, and keep the partner informed of all important developments in the engagement.
4. Prepare client billings.
5. Evaluate the performance of professional staff and managers/senior managers.
6. Develop new client contacts and relationships beneficial to the firm.
7. Assist in administrative functions as assigned by the partners.
8. Recognize opportunities to provide additional services to existing clients.
9. Demonstrate an ability to obtain clients and develop existing clients as partner involvement decreases.
10. Develop a significant ability to achieve client confidence with co-managed and solely managed clients.

OTHER FUNCTIONS
 

10.       Perform other duties as assigned from time to time by the firm’s partners.

 
WORKING CONDITIONS
 

11.       Job involves work in the firm’s office or on the client’s premises.  Work on the client’s premises may             require the use of the principal’s personal car.

12.       Moderate to low overtime required throughout the year.  High level of overtime may be required to complete specific audit and/or tax engagements.

 
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
 

13.       Principals normally have a minimum of three years experience as a manager (or equivalent experience        as deemed appropriate by the partners).

 
REQUIRED LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES
 

14.       Principals must be certified public accountants.