Associate, Accounting Advisory

1 week ago

Los Angeles, CA, United States Palm Tree LLC Full time
Associate - Accounting Advisory

About Palm Tree
Palm Tree is a modern M&A value creation firm that integrates financial consulting, operational consulting, and investment banking services. Founded in 2010, Palm Tree specializes in supporting private equity firms, business operators, and management teams through strategic events such as mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, recapitalizations, restructurings, and performance improvement initiatives. The firm's unique model combines the expertise of private equity, Big-4 accounting, and investment banking, delivering actionable solutions tailored to the challenges of middle-market businesses.

Position Overview
Associates typically bring 4-6 years of relevant experience and work closely with senior team members and clients to address complex accounting and operational challenges. This role provides exposure to multiple facets of M&A, private equity, and Office of the CFO support within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

The Associate role in Accounting Advisory at Palm Tree is a critical, hands-on position supporting Accounting Advisory engagements across financial reporting, month-end close optimization, technical accounting, process improvement, and M&A-related initiatives.

Responsibilities
Client Engagement
  • Support day-to-day execution of Accounting Advisory engagements, including:
    • Internal and external financial reporting packages
    • Accounting policies, technical accounting memos, disclosures, and audit request support
    • Purchase price accounting schedules and journal entries
  • Analyze accounting and finance processes to identify improvements in:
    • Month-end close
    • Reporting efficiency and automation
    • Internal controls
  • Perform variance analyses across income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow drivers.
  • Participate in client meetings and calls, helping explain financial results and technical conclusions.
  • Help clients operationalize new reporting workflows, accounting processes, and value-creation initiatives.
Team Contributions
  • Mentor junior team members, review their work, and connect accounting insights to operational impacts.
  • Provide regular engagement updates to senior leadership.
  • Support internal training and best-practice development across the firm.
Strategic & Operational Support
  • Support business development efforts (proposals, scopes, pitch materials).
  • Contribute to firm-building efforts: recruiting, process improvement, thought leadership.
  • Begin developing direct client relationships and supporting long-term account growth.


Qualifications
Education / Credentials
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting required; MAC/MBA helpful but not required.
  • Active CPA highly preferred.
Experience
  • 4-6+ years of relevant experience, ideally including:
    • Audit/assurance (public accounting)
    • Accounting advisory
    • Corporate/industry accounting
  • Strong familiarity with U.S. GAAP, including:
    • Revenue recognition, leases, and stock-based compensation
    • Purchase accounting
    • Debt vs. equity, financial instruments, and other technical areas
  • Experience juggling multiple workstreams and reviewing junior staff is preferred.
Technical Skills
  • Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
  • Strong understanding of financial reporting and close processes.
  • Experience with BI tools or automation technologies is a plus.
Soft Skills
  • Highly analytical with strong critical-thinking skills.
  • Detail-oriented, organized, and effective under pressure.
  • Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Proactive, motivated, and "team-first" mindset with a client-service orientation.


Compensation & Benefits
  • Base salary $100k-$125k, plus performance-based bonus.
  • Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, unlimited PTO.
  • Hybrid work environment (2+ days in office), with travel of 5%-35% depending on engagements.
  • High-growth, merit-based culture with accelerated advancement opportunities.


What to Expect When Applying

Whether this is your first time applying to Palm Tree or you've connected with us before, you are welcome to use this portal to submit an updated résumé, cover letter, or other materials. Our recruiting team will thoughtfully incorporate your most recent information into your existing application profile. And yes-we do read cover letters.

Application Confirmation
After submitting your application, you will receive an email confirming that we've received your materials.

Initial Review
Once your application has been reviewed and added to our active candidate database, you will receive a second confirmation email. Timing for this step can vary based on current hiring needs and priorities, so we appreciate your patience.

Note: If a role is marked as an "immediate" opening, the posting will typically outline specific timelines for each stage of the process, including a potential start date.

Screening
If and when a suitable opportunity arises, a member of our hiring team will reach out to schedule an introductory conversation. The timing of this step is demand-driven and can vary.

Interviews
Qualified candidates will be invited into a formal interview process. As with earlier stages, timing may vary depending on hiring priorities and role requirements.

While we do carefully review every application, we are unable to provide individual feedback to all candidates due to application volume. We value transparency and sincerely appreciate your understanding.

Important Notice
Palm Tree is not currently engaging outside recruiters or headhunters for this search. Unsolicited résumé submissions from third parties may inadvertently disqualify a candidate. All interested and qualified candidates should apply directly through this portal.

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