Nicole Stepansova, CPA, MBA
Summary
CPA-qualified risk and audit professional with Big 4 experience specializing in external audit, process documentation, control testing, and risk assessments. Experienced in performing process walkthroughs, developing risk and control matrices (RCMs), testing control design and operating effectiveness, identifying control deficiencies, and supporting remediation efforts. Strong understanding of governance, risk management, compliance, and financial reporting processes.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Audit Senior
Ernst & Young
San Diego, CA
11.2024 - 12.2025
- Assisted a public biotechnology company with improvement of technical accounting and internal control framework, improving audit quality through a reduction in misstatements
- Conducted process walkthroughs and risk assessments to analyze the client's business processes and provide recommendations for improvement of risk management
- Assessed the public biotechnology company's compliance with US GAAP, ensuring they accurately reported and disclosed financial information
- Coordinated communications with the client, core engagement team, and the offshore team to certify a smooth audit filing process with early filing deadlines
Audit Senior
Deloitte & Touche, LLP
San Diego, CA
05.2024 - 10.2024
- Led audit engagements for retail clients, improving audit efficiency by 30% through team leadership and effective planning
- Coordinated multiple specialist teams by facilitating communication and collaboration, ensuring alignment of audit objectives, and integrating specialized knowledge to address complex issues
- Drove a significant reduction in deficiencies and misstatements for a retail client by identifying high-risk areas and internal control weaknesses and managing the client's development and implementation of corrective actions
Audit Senior Assistant
Deloitte & Touche, LLP
San Diego, CA
06.2023 - 05.2024
- Supported implementation of ASC 842 lease accounting for multiple consumer and technology companies, ensuring accurate presentation, reporting, and compliance of financial statements
- Improved the accuracy and completeness of financial statements through evaluation of compliance with proper ASC 606 revenue accounting standards
- Analyzed financial data to identify inconsistencies and potential control weaknesses, contributing to more effective internal control evaluations and enhanced risk identification
Audit Assistant
Deloitte & Touche, LLP
Los Angeles, CA
09.2022 - 06.2023
- Conducted data analysis to identify trends, discrepancies, and anomalies, providing insight that supported the audit process and informed decision-making
- Supported walkthroughs for a public IT consulting client, documenting control design and identifying potential gaps in risk and control frameworks
Summer Audit Intern
Deloitte & Touche, LLP
Los Angeles, CA
06.2021 - 08.2021
- Organized and reconciled data sets via excel, improving efficiency and accuracy of audit procedures
Education
Masters - Business Administration
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, Utah09-2025
Bachelor of Science - Professional Accountancy and Business Honors
CSU, Northridge
Northridge, CA05-2022
Skills
- Internal Audit and Risk Advisory
- Risk and Control Matrices
- Process Walkthrough and Documentation
- Control Design and Operating Effectiveness Testing
- Control Deficiencies and Remediation
- Data and Audit Analytics
- Highly proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft Office
- Experience with internal audit software
- Detailed-oriented
- Efficient and Organized
- Eager to learn and constant improvement
- Team player and leader
Certification
Certified Public Account (CPA) - License Number: 155234
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Russian
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Audit Senior
Ernst & Young
11.2024 - 12.2025
Audit Senior
Deloitte & Touche, LLP
05.2024 - 10.2024
Audit Senior Assistant
Deloitte & Touche, LLP
06.2023 - 05.2024
Audit Assistant
Deloitte & Touche, LLP
09.2022 - 06.2023
Summer Audit Intern
Deloitte & Touche, LLP
06.2021 - 08.2021
Masters - Business Administration
Western Governors University
Bachelor of Science - Professional Accountancy and Business Honors
CSU, Northridge