Forensic Accounting Senior Associate (Construction)

Grant Thornton (US); Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 101,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Grant Thornton is seeking a Real Estate & Construction Advisory Senior Associate to join our team in New York, NY with approved locations including Phoenix, AZ. You will lead complex engagements across real estate and construction sectors, focusing on process improvements, risk assessments, and project controls.

The role involves coordinating with multiple stakeholders, mentoring staff, and delivering high-impact client solutions while traveling up to 25% and adhering to professional standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in accounting, finance, IT, MIS, or related field.
• Minimum 2 years of related work experience in real estate/construction consulting.
• Certifications (CPA, CFE, CMA, CFA, CMA, CIA, PMP, PMBOK) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review contracts, financial statements, job cost reports, policies and maps to identify cost savings and inefficiencies.
• Perform complex financial analysis to spot trends and anomalies across sources.
• Analyze compliance with labor regulations including Davis-Bacon Act.
• Assist in matters involving fraud, waste, and abuse and regulatory exposure.
• Research regulatory guidance to support defensible conclusions.
• Communicate findings to internal and external stakeholders clearly.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to understand project controls and propose improvements.
• Run client engagements from planning to completion within budget.
• Maintain client communication to manage expectations and satisfaction.
• Mentor staff and participate in professional development activities.
• Collaborate across Grant Thornton service lines and with international colleagues.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Technology, MIS, or related field

CPA, CFE, CMA, CFA, CCA, CIA, PMP, PMBOK or other industry related certifications preferred

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Job Description

Grant Thornton is seeking a Real Estate & Construction Advisory Senior Associate to join our team in New York, NY. Additional approved locations include Philadelphia, PA, Chicago, IL, Phoenix, AZ, and San Francisco, CA.

As a Construction Advisory Senior Associate, you will have the opportunity to grow and contribute to our global clients’ business needs through all phases of project and engagement management across a wide variety of industries, with a focus on real estate and construction. The work you will be doing revolves around large and complex construction projects in the data center, energy, infrastructure, commercial real estate, and hospitality sectors, among others. You will plan, direct, and complete projects related to process improvements, vendor audits, risk and control assessments, investigations, litigation support, and project monitoring initiatives within the Forensics Advisory Services Practice – all with the resources, environment, and support to help you excel.

From day one, you’ll be empowered by the greater Risk team to help clients make the moves that will help them achieve their vision and help you achieve more, confidently.

Your day-to-day may include:

• Reviewing construction contracts, financial statements, job cost reports, internal policies, and process maps to identify cost savings, process inefficiencies, and strategic initiatives
• Performing complex financial analysis to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies across multiple sources of data and supporting documentation
• Analyzing compliance with various labor requirements, including those required on prevailing wage jobs that are reliant on federal funding and/or pertinent to tax credit incentives
• Assisting in matters involving fraud, waste, and abuse, including allegations of bribery, collusion, conflicts of interest, organized crime, and other scenarios posing legal or regulatory exposure to our clients
• Conducting targeted research on regulatory requirements including, but not limited to, IRS authoritative guidance, accounting standards codification, and AICPA practice aids to support defensible conclusions on complex engagement needs
• Communicate findings clearly and concisely to a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Coordinate with multiple stakeholders and third parties to understand the construction project control environment and propose recommended controls to address identified gaps
• Run client engagements from start to finish, including planning, organizing, conducting, directing, and completing projects and services while managing projects to budget
• Maintaining active communication with clients to manage expectations, ensure satisfaction, and become a trusted business partner
• Working closely with engagement teams and managing and conducting forensic accounting procedures on multiple engagements concurrently
• Collaborating across Grant Thornton service lines and with international colleagues to integrate diverse expertise and deliver comprehensive, high-impact client solutions
• Managing, developing, training, and mentoring staff on projects and assessing performance for engagement and year-end reviews
• Attend professional development, networking events, and training seminars regularly
• Adhere to the highest degree of professional standards and strict client confidentiality
• Other job duties as assigned

You have the following technical skills and qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Technology, MIS, or related field required
• Minimum 2 years of related work experience in a similar consulting practice or function servicing real estate and/or construction clients at a national level required
• CPA, CFE, CMA, CFA, CCA, CIA, PMP, PMBOK or other industry related certifications preferred
• Preferred experience in management consulting, internal audit, regulatory compliance, and/or forensic engagements
• Proven capabilities in performing advisory services in the real estate and/or construction industries
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with a focus on robust excel capabilities
• Knowledge of various federal and state construction labor regulations and requirements, including the Federal Davis-Bacon Act
• Excellent analytical, research, and organizational skills with strong attention to detail
• Ability to work on multiple engagements and competing priorities in a rapidly growing, fast-paced, interactive, results-based team environment
• Exceptional client service and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to develop and maintain outstanding client relationships
• Ability to work additional hours as needed and travel to various client sites, both domestic and international
• Can travel as needed. Expected travel is 10% - 25%
• The base salary range for this position is between $101,200 and $129,030. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton’s discretion, and it is based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job -related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity. At Grant Thornton, compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.
• Candidates may be asked to complete a skills assessment as part of the recruiting process.

About Us

At Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result – for our clients and you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more: more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It’s what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better.

In the U.S., Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services.

In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier Trans-Atlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices. With $2.7 billion in revenues and more than 50 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.

Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets.

About The Team

The team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how:

• Whether it's your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work the way that it best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm's hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least three days per week, either at a GT office or client site.
• Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well-being through work-life integration options that work best for you and those in your household.
• We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different — and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. See how at www.gt.com/careers
• When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we’re taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion at www.gt.com/careers

Benefits

We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different, and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit: https://www.grantthornton.com/careers/rewards-and-benefits

• Benefits for internship positions: Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave, and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period.
• Benefits for seasonal employee positions: Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave.

Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation.

Additional Details

It is the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital or civil union status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic predisposition or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, it is the policy of Grant Thornton LLP to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To make an accommodation request, please contact [e-mail].

For Los Angeles Applicants only: We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

For Massachusetts Applicants only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Gran Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employments or continued employment.