Associate Director - Defense & Security Internal Controls & Business Process Transformation

Guidehouse; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance

Mobility Stipend

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking financial management professionals to support a Department of Defense client in Houston. The role covers GAAP, ICOFR, DoD policies, and ERP considerations, with opportunities to lead audits, design control frameworks, and drive process improvements.

You will work with senior client leadership, manage multiple workstreams, and mentor consulting staff while supporting business development and proposal efforts. A Secret clearance is highly preferred.

Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor's degree.
• TEN (10) or more years of experience in financial management, accounting, audit, internal controls, fraud risk management, or related disciplines.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Federal or DoD 'SECRET' clearance; active clearance preferred.
• Experience leading teams and interacting directly with senior executives and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex client engagements focused on financial management transformation, internal controls, audit readiness, fraud risk management, and business process improvement for DoD clients.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior client leadership, facilitating discussions on governance, risk, compliance, and financial stewardship.
• Lead the assessment, design, and implementation of internal control frameworks and corrective action strategies.
• Oversee business process documentation, process optimization, risk assessments, and control modernization efforts.
• Direct teams performing audit readiness, remediation, testing, and compliance activities across financial and operational processes.

Skills

Leadership

Client management

Risk assessment

Internal controls

Financial management

Audit readiness

Business process improvement

DoD knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

What You Will Do:

Job Family:

Finance & Accounting Consulting

Travel Required:

Up to 25%

Clearance Required:

Ability to Obtain Secret

What You Will Do:

Guidehouse is currently seeking financial management professionals in support of our Department of Defense client. These teammates will bring a vast range of experiences across financial management, accounting, audit, internal controls, business process mapping, risk assessment, change management, and strategic communication.

Our Guidehouse Team Will Provide:

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (ICOFR), DoD financial management policies and procedures and DoD organizational structures
• Expert support for audit remediation, sustainment, and financial statement reporting and analysis
• Understanding of current trends in enhancing compliance with accounting and auditing standards within an Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP)
• Understanding of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) policies and federal financial management systems
• Understanding of DoD acquisition, inventory, property and material management

What You Will Do:

• Lead complex client engagements focused on financial management transformation, internal controls, audit readiness, fraud risk management, and business process improvement for Department of Defense clients.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior client leadership, facilitating discussions on operational effectiveness, governance, risk, compliance, and financial stewardship.
• Lead the assessment, design, and implementation of internal control frameworks and corrective action strategies.
• Oversee business process documentation, process optimization initiatives, risk assessments, and control modernization efforts.
• Direct teams performing audit readiness, remediation, testing, and compliance activities across financial and operational processes.
• Identify financial, operational, and fraud risks and develop practical solutions to strengthen organizational performance.
• Lead client workshops, site visits, stakeholder interviews, and executive briefings.
• Mentor and develop consulting staff while providing day-to-day engagement leadership, quality oversight, and performance coaching.
• Support business development activities including capture support, proposal development, technical solutioning, pricing, and client relationship expansion.
• Collaborate across Guidehouse practices to bring innovative solutions in financial management, analytics, automation, and risk management to defense clients.

What You Will Need:

• Must be able to OBTAIN and MAINTAIN a Federal or DoD "SECRET" security clearance; candidates must obtain approved adjudication of clearance prior to onboarding with Guidehouse. Candidates with an ACTIVE "SECRET" or higher-level clearance are preferred.
• Bachelor's degree.
• TEN (10) or more years of experience in financial management, accounting, audit, internal controls, fraud risk management, business process improvement, consulting, or related disciplines.
• Experience leading teams and interacting directly with senior executives and stakeholders.

What Would Be Nice To Have:

• CPA, CFE, CIA, CGFM, PMP, or other relevant professional certification.
• Department of Defense financial management, audit, or internal controls experience.
• Experience with fraud investigations, fraud risk assessments, or enterprise risk management programs.
• Experience with OMB A-123, FIAR, audit remediation, corrective action plans, and compliance testing.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed teams and conducting site-based assessments.
• Experience leveraging data analytics, automation, AI, or continuous monitoring capabilities to improve internal controls and business processes.
• Prior consulting experience within a professional services organization.
• External and internal audit experience.
• Active Secret clearance.
• Deep understanding of business process documentation, internal controls, governance, risk management, and audit readiness.
• Experience identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial and fraud risks.
• Strong analytical, communication, presentation, and client management skills.
• Experience leading complex initiatives in large federal organizations, preferably within the Department of Defense.
• Experience managing multiple workstreams, budgets, staffing, and client priorities.
• Ability to support proposal development, technical solutioning, and pricing efforts.

What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits Include:

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program i>
• Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at [e-mail]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [e-mail]. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact [e-mail]. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.