Senior Associate, State and Local Advisory- Government Services

BDO USA, Llp; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP program

Job summary

BDO USA, LLP is seeking a Senior Associate in its Government Services practice to deliver advisory services tailored to state and local government agencies. The role emphasizes regulatory compliance, financial management, and operational improvement to strengthen public sector organizations serving diverse communities.

Senior Associates lead project workstreams, mentor junior staff, and foster strong client relationships while driving process improvements across grants management, procurement,

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to interpret complex financial, operational, and compliance data.
• Excellent project management skills, including coordinating multiple projects and meeting deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Delivers advisory services to state and local government entities, focusing on compliance with federal and state regulations (e.g., 2 CFR 200, HHS, Treasury, FEMA, HUD).
• Leads financial modeling, budget development, and cash flow forecasting; analyzes funding streams, cost allocation methodologies, and rate structures.
• Drives operational and administrative improvement initiatives, such as process mapping and change management; helps clients streamline administrative functions and implement best practices.
• Drafts, revises, and implements client policies and procedures related to accounting, procurement, contracts, grant management, and administrative operations, ensuring regulatory alignment.
• Prepares and reviews client deliverables; communicate findings clearly to audiences with varying levels of literacy.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Analytical thinking

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, economics, finance, or accounting

MBA, MPA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Grants management software

CRM

Accounting software

Job description

Job Summary

The Senior Associate in the Government Services practice delivers professional advisory services tailored to the unique challenges and priorities of State and Local government agencies. This role offers an exceptional opportunity for a mission-driven professional to apply advanced expertise in regulatory compliance, financial management, and operational improvement to strengthen public sector organizations serving diverse communities and policy areas. Senior Associates play a key role in leading project workstreams, mentoring junior staff, and fostering strong client relationships.

Our team is a dynamic, growth-oriented management consulting practice dedicated to enhancing the capacity and effectiveness of government entities. We partner closely with clients to help them achieve operational excellence, financial sustainability, and measurable public impact. Our approach centers on active client engagement and collaboration throughout every phase of the engagement.

Job duties will vary based on engagement scope and client needs, requiring an independent, adaptable professional with demonstrated experience in a state and local government setting. The Senior Associate is expected to take initiative, collaborate with team members and client staff, proactively drive project delivery, and remain flexible to adjust to evolving project requirements and client circumstances.

Service Delivery

• Delivers advisory services to state and local government entities, focusing on compliance with federal and state regulations (e.g., 2 CFR 200, HHS, Treasury, FEMA, HUD), including risk reviews and internal control evaluations
• Leads financial modeling, budget development, and cash flow forecasting; analyzes funding streams, cost allocation methodologies, and rate structures
• Drives operational and administrative improvement initiatives, such as process mapping, workflow optimization, organizational assessments, and change management; helps clients streamline administrative functions and implement best practices
• Drafts, revises, and implements client policies and procedures related to accounting, procurement, contracts, grant management, and administrative operations, ensuring alignment with applicable regulations and industry standards
• Prepares and reviews client deliverables, including reports, presentations, memos, and correspondence; communicate findings and recommendations clearly to audiences with varying levels of financial, operational, and regulatory literacy

Project Management

• Serves on multiple client projects simultaneously, track progress, coordinate with stakeholders, and ensure timely completion of deliverables
• Maintains effective communication with client staff, external partners, and internal team members to facilitate project success and client satisfaction
• Mentors and provides guidance to junior team members as appropriate

Practice and Product Development

• Participates in and contributes to practice development activities, such as internal meetings, knowledge sharing, and identifying opportunities to enhance advisory services for public sector clients
• Stays current on industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices in government consulting, grants management, and operations improvement

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assists in the supervision, development, and training of Associates and Interns
• Reviews and evaluates work prepared by Associates and Interns
• Schedules and supervises workload of Associates and Interns
• Provides verbal and written performance feedback to Associates and Interns

Education

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or Accounting, required
• MBA, MPA, preferred

Experience

• Four (4) or more years of demonstrated experience in state or local government OR four (4) years of experience in financial management or consulting, required

License/Certification

• N/A

Software

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, required
• Experience with grants management, CRM, accounting, or other related nonprofit software, preferred

Language(s)

• N/A

Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to interpret complex financial, operational, and compliance data and present findings to diverse audiences
• Excellent project management skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Familiarity with US Government rules and regulations related to accounting, contracts, procurement, and grant management
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time

About Us

At BDO, how we show up matters. We build strong relationships by supporting one another, our clients, and our communities with care, curiosity, and a commitment to helping one another grow and succeed. Here, you’ll find meaningful work, leaders invested in your success, and opportunities to build a career around what matters most to you.

Our purpose is to be the people our clients count on to grow with confidence and achieve what matters most. Our values guide how we bring that purpose to life each day. Together, they shape how we work with one another, serve our clients, and create meaningful impact.

BDO provides assurance, tax, and advisory services to clients across the U.S. and around the world. No matter your role, you’ll be part of a team helping clients navigate complexity and move forward with clarity.

We are proud to be an ESOP company, offering participants a stake in the firm’s success through beneficial ownership and a unique opportunity to enhance their financial well‑being. As a qualified retirement plan, the ESOP is a meaningful addition to our comprehensive compensation and Total Rewards benefits* offerings. It also reinforces an ownership mindset that strengthens our connection to one another, our clients, and the future we’re building together.

Learn more about our benefits: BDO Total Rewards encompass more than traditional benefits.

• Benefits may be subject to eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

"BDO USA, P.A. is an EO employer M/F/Veteran/Disability"