Expense Analytics Associate Director

Grant Thornton is seeking an Associate Director of Expense Analytics to join the team. Approved office locations can be found below. 
The Associate Director of Expense Analytics leads the firm’s end-to-end expense management function, ensuring consistent policy application, strong governance, and operational excellence firmwide. This role oversees expense strategy, including system optimization, compliance, audit, and analytics. This role serves as part of the Travel function, partnering with Meetings, Corporate Card, Finance, and firmwide stakeholders to drive alignment and performance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Governance

• Define and execute an expense management strategy aligned with firm growth and operating model
• Establish and enforce consistent firmwide T&E policies, ensuring audit-defensible compliance
• Drive standardization of processes, controls, and reporting across the firm

Expense Operations & Process Ownership

• Own the end-to-end expense lifecycle, including submission, audit, approval workflows, reimbursement, and financial integration
• Lead expense tool management, including configuration, process design, and continuous optimization
• Operate within the Travel function, collaborating with Meetings and Corporate Card teams to ensure seamless integration from pre-spend through post-spend processes
• Oversee vendor relationships supporting expense operations, including performance management, service delivery, and alignment with firmwide objectives
• Other duties as assigned

Policy, Compliance & Audit

• Develop and maintain T&E policy aligned with regulatory requirements and firm objectives
• Oversee audit program, including automated controls, exception handling, and compliance monitoring
• Lead escalation management and ensure consistent firmwide enforcement

Analytics & Reporting

• Deliver actionable insights on travel and expense spend, trends, and savings opportunities
• Develop dashboards and reporting to support leadership decision-making, budget oversight, and cost management
• Leverage data to enhance policy effectiveness and identify areas for improved controls or efficiency

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing expense team across U.S. and offshore operations, audit, and analytics

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, or a related field required

• 8+ years of relevant experience travel & expense, finance operations, or a related field

• Experience leading and developing teams across expense operations and analytics, including U.S. and offshore resources

• Experience in implementing and managing T&E systems, automation tools, and reporting platforms (e.g., Emburse, SAP Concur)
• Strong understanding of corporate card programs, expense compliance, and audit best practices
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable business insights
• Ability to drive alignment across business units, supported by strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills
• Experience managing vendor relationships, including performance oversight, and service delivery
• Strong organizational skills including critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as attention to detail and multi-tasking skills.

Success Measures

• Increased global policy compliance and reduction in non-compliant spend
• Improved visibility and control of total T&E spend
• Streamlined, standardized processes across regions
• Delivery of actionable insights that drive cost savings and informed decision-making

 

The base salary range for this position is between $136,000 and $175,000. 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.

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.