Director (Office of Independence)

Job Title : Director – Director- Office of Independence (Citrin Cooperman India LLP)

About the firm :

Citrin Cooperman is one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in the United States, and 4th among mid-Atlantic firms, with over 2,500 employees in 22 U.S. and International offices. This year, we were rated one of the Top 50 Best Companies to work for according to Vault.com. We are always looking for new team members who bring a fresh perspective, technical expertise, and a passion for solving problems.

At Citrin Cooperman, we offer you the flexibility to take your career to the next level and still allow you to focus on what matters to you!

Citrin Cooperman India LLP (“CCI”), provides shared services for Citrin Cooperman. Providing quality service to clients with the most efficient use of resources is always a challenge in today's professional world. CCI's mission is to provide outstanding professional support to all Citrin Cooperman offices throughout the year in the areas of accounting, attest and auditing, tax compliance and consulting, business advisory, valuation, litigation support, and other professional work.

Job Description :

We are looking for a Director to join our Office of Independence. This position operates within Citrin Cooperman’s Risk Management practice and collaborates closely with partners, client-facing professionals, and other stakeholders across our firm to ensure adherence to independence policies and regulatory standards. The Office of Independence team is a closely connected group of professionals based across both the US and India, operating together in a highly collaborative environment, fostering strong cross-border partnerships and a shared commitment to delivering high-quality support across Citrin Cooperman.

As a Director, you will be responsible for :

Responsibilities :

Personal Independence Audits

Lead and manage periodic audits of personal independence compliance for professionals across the firm.

Define audit objectives, timelines, and scope based on risk assessments and regulatory priorities.

Identify representative samples of professionals for audit, ensuring coverage across service lines and geographies.

Examine financial disclosures, brokerage statements, and independence affirmations to validate compliance.

Support and enhance protocols for escalating unresolved independence concerns or potential violations.

Prepare detailed audit reports summarizing findings, observations, and recommendations for remediation.

Monitor and follow up on corrective actions to ensure timely resolution of identified issues.

New Client Acceptance

Oversee the independence review process for onboarding new assurance clients to ensure completeness and accuracy of independence documentation.

Evaluate submitted materials to confirm the completeness and accuracy of clients records, such as affiliates.

Supplement the submitted materials with independent research to validate the completeness and accuracy of the client records.

Provide guidance to engagement teams on complex or nuanced independence considerations.

Maintain consistency in review procedures and contribute to the development of best practices.

M&A Conflicts Process

Support and enhance the conflicts check process, particularly in the context of M&A due diligence and target firm evaluations.

Conduct thorough reviews of existing client relationships, services, and affiliations to identify potential conflicts.

Evaluate independence risks associated with proposed transactions or new engagements.

Maintain detailed records of conflict assessments and resolutions, ensuring transparency and auditability.

Support other independence-related conflict check procedures as a component of client acceptance.

Consultations

Assistengagement teams and professional employees in evaluating and documenting the rationale and conclusions reached on a variety of independence matters, including but not limited to financial interests and other relationships, proposed non-attest services provided to an attest client, and other matters involving cross or multiple lines of service.

Consistently leverages a consultancy mindset when researching independence matters, leveraging problem-solving expertise, and developing and offering effective solutions for independence matters.

Other Independence Projects & Initiatives

Drive process initiatives, including proposing suggestions and solutions for improvements to processes; establishing and implementing project plans with goals and measures.

Evaluate and assist with the implementation of technology solutions.

Train and develop staff on matters pertaining to independence requirements.

Participate in and / or leading special projects.

Develop and deliver firm-wide training programs on independence requirements to ensure that professionals across the firm understand and adhere to applicable independence standards, including standards set by the AICPA, SEC and PCAOB.

Monitor regulatory updates and current events.

Qualifications :

Bachelor’s degree in accounting required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.

Active CPA license preferred.

10+ years of experience in public accounting, preferably with substantive exposure to a variety of independence considerations in professional practice.

Prior people management experience, including leading and mentoring teams. Proven ability to manage and develop high-performing teams, while fostering collaboration and ensuring accountability.

Solid understanding of the professional services industry.

Proven ability to manage independence matters in complex organizational structures; prior APS experience preferred.

Demonstrates extensive knowledge and proven success performing functions that involve the application of independence rules established by the AICPA, SEC, PCAOB, and other regulators.

Significant level of independent judgment and discretion in identifying independence risks and applying the relevant independence rules and regulations.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to engage with internal stakeholders (partners, client-facing professionals) and external stakeholders (regulatory bodies, other stakeholders), ensuring transparency and clarity on independence issues.

Skilled in assessing potential risks to independence and developing appropriate mitigation strategies.

Demonstrated experience in responding to regulatory changes and business needs, ensuring that our firm stays ahead in managing independence risks.

Strong research, analytical, project management, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate and resolve conflicts regarding independence.

Ability to prioritize effectively and navigate a dynamic, fast-paced environment.