Director, Quality Intelligence & Causal Analysis

BDO USA•Chicago, IL

17d

About The Position

The Director, Quality Intelligence & Causal Analysis supports the day-to-day execution of the Firm’s quality intelligence, root cause analysis, quality analytics, and predictive risk assessment activities in support of the Firm’s System of Quality Management (SoQM). Working closely with the Partner and Managing Director responsible for the function, the Director analyzes quality-related information to identify underlying causes of deficiencies, emerging risks, systemic trends, and opportunities to strengthen audit quality. The role does not conclude on the effectiveness of the SoQM, assess the severity or pervasiveness of deficiencies, or direct the Firm’s monitoring program; those responsibilities belong to the Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting function. The Director coordinates quality intelligence across multiple sources, including monitoring results, inspection findings, root cause and causal factor analyses, Audit Quality Indicators (AQIs), remediation outcomes, and other quality-related information. The role transforms data into actionable insights to support leadership decisions, continuous improvement, and proactive risk management. The Director leads root cause and trend analysis, evaluates organizational and behavioral factors affecting quality outcomes, and directs the development of methodologies, analytical models, dashboards, data visualization tools, and emerging technologies for identifying and assessing quality risks. The role also prepares and presents reporting and recommendations for Firm leadership, supports quality evaluations and regulatory responses, and works with stakeholders across the Firm to identify remediation opportunities and improve quality intelligence activities. The Director supervises managers, senior managers, directors, analysts, and project resources; assigns work, sets priorities, monitors initiatives, and provides coaching and technical guidance. The position supports the Partner in setting priorities, strategic objectives, and performance measures for the Quality Intelligence function and performs other duties as required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Economics, or Data Analytics.
Eight or more years of experience in public accounting, audit quality, inspections, professional practice, quality management, risk management, regulatory, or analytical work.
Experience leading root cause analysis initiatives, quality-related investigations, or complex data analysis projects.
Experience identifying trends, emerging risks, and systemic issues through data analysis and professional judgment.
CPA license.
Advanced Excel skills.
Strong knowledge of PCAOB QC 1000, IAASB ISQM 1, and AICPA SQMS 1 requirements.
Strong understanding of root cause analysis methodologies, causal factor analysis, remediation concepts, and continuous improvement principles.
Advanced analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to synthesize complex information into practical, actionable recommendations.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills.
Experience developing dashboards, scorecards, quality indicators, and analytical reporting.
Ability to build collaborative relationships while maintaining objectivity and professional skepticism.
Ability to influence stakeholders, facilitate difficult conversations, and drive continuous improvement through data-driven insights.
Strong leadership skills and experience directing teams and managing complex initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Degree concentration in Economics or Data Analytics.
Experience preparing executive-level reporting and presentations.
Experience working with quality management standards, inspection programs, monitoring activities, or regulatory matters.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Experience with accounting research databases.

Responsibilities

Direct the day-to-day execution of the Firm’s quality intelligence, root cause analysis, and quality analytics programs.
Lead and coordinate root cause analyses related to inspection findings, monitoring results, quality deficiencies, and other quality matters.
Evaluate underlying causes, contributing factors, and systemic drivers affecting audit quality and the Firm’s SoQM.
Identify recurring themes, trends, conditions, emerging risks, leading indicators, behavioral drivers, and organizational conditions that may affect quality objectives.
Evaluate organizational behaviors, incentives, resource constraints, communication practices, and cultural factors contributing to quality outcomes.
Assess relationships among findings, risks, controls, remediation activities, and organizational behaviors to identify improvement opportunities.
Direct the development and enhancement of quality intelligence methodologies, analytical models, dashboards, data visualization tools, and emerging technologies used to identify and evaluate quality risks.
Oversee collection, validation, and analysis of data from inspections, monitoring activities, AQIs, remediation programs, and other quality-related sources.
Analyze firm- and engagement-level causes to drive systemic continuous improvement and support documented firm-level remediations.
Develop and maintain quality analytics, dashboards, scorecards, and predictive risk indicators.
Evaluate internal and external quality-related information to identify trends, conditions, and risk factors that could affect the Firm’s quality objectives.
Support forward-looking analyses that help leadership prioritize quality improvement efforts.
Direct preparation of quality intelligence reports, root cause analyses, trend analyses, and other communications for Firm leadership.
Present findings, observations, emerging risks, and recommendations to leadership and key stakeholders.
Support development of annual quality evaluations and other quality management reporting requirements.
Assist with PCAOB and other regulatory requests involving root cause analysis, quality trends, remediation effectiveness, and quality management activities.
Provide strategic insights and recommendations to support continuous improvement and proactive risk management.
Develop trusted relationships with process owners, response owners, inspection teams, and other Firm stakeholders.
Facilitate discussions about findings, quality risks, root causes, and remediation opportunities in a collaborative and accountable manner.
Partner with Monitoring & Evaluation, Inspections, Professional Practice, Learning, Independence, Technology, and other functions to develop integrated perspectives on quality risks and performance.
Influence stakeholders through data-driven insights, sound judgment, and strong communication skills while balancing objectivity and professional skepticism with a solutions-oriented approach.
Direct execution of quality intelligence methodologies, analytical frameworks, reporting processes, and quality analytics tools.
Identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability of quality intelligence activities.
Support the Partner in establishing priorities, strategic objectives, and performance measures for the Quality Intelligence function.
Direct managers, senior managers, directors, analysts, and project resources responsible for root cause analysis, quality analytics, trend analysis, and reporting.
Assign work, establish priorities, and monitor completion of quality intelligence initiatives and projects.
Coach, mentor, and provide technical guidance to team members; support development of team capabilities in root cause analysis, data analytics, critical thinking, and quality risk assessment.
Perform other duties as required.