Director, Quality Intelligence & Causal Analysis

BDO USA, P.C. • Chicago, IL

17d • $200,000 - $240,000

About The Position

The Director, Quality Intelligence & Causal Analysis supports the day-to-day execution of BDO’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 leads analysis of 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 activities 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 turns data into actionable insights that support leadership decision-making, continuous improvement, and proactive risk management.

The Director leads quality intelligence and root cause analysis programs, oversees predictive risk and trend analyses, develops analytical methodologies and reporting tools, and presents findings and recommendations to leadership. The position collaborates across the Firm, builds stakeholder relationships, and directs managers and other team members responsible for root cause analysis, analytics, trend analysis, and quality reporting.

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.
• Demonstrated 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-related matters.
• Evaluate underlying causes, contributing factors, systemic drivers, organizational behaviors, incentives, resource constraints, communication practices, and cultural factors affecting audit quality and the SoQM.
• Identify recurring themes, trends, conditions, emerging quality risks, leading indicators, behavioral drivers, and organizational conditions that may affect quality objectives.
• Assess relationships among findings, risks, controls, remediation activities, and organizational behaviors to identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop and enhance 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 information from inspections, monitoring activities, AQIs, remediation programs, and other quality-related sources.
• Analyze complex firm- and engagement-level causes to drive systemic continuous improvement and document them within firm-level remediations.
• Develop and maintain quality analytics, dashboards, scorecards, and predictive risk indicators.
• Evaluate internal and external quality-related information and support forward-looking analyses that help leadership prioritize quality improvement efforts.
• Direct the 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 responses to PCAOB and other regulatory requests concerning 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 constructive discussions about findings, quality risks, root causes, and remediation opportunities, promoting collaboration and shared accountability.
• Partner with Monitoring & Evaluation, Inspections, Professional Practice, Learning, Independence, Technology, and other functions to develop integrated perspectives on quality risks and performance.
• Apply professional skepticism and objectivity while using a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach; influence stakeholders through data-driven insights, sound judgment, and communication.
• Direct execution of quality intelligence methodologies, analytical frameworks, reporting processes, and analytics tools.
• Identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability of quality intelligence activities.
• Support the Partner in setting priorities, strategic objectives, and performance measures for the Quality Intelligence function.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Direct managers, senior managers, directors, analysts, and project resources responsible for root cause analysis, quality analytics, trend analysis, and quality reporting.
• Assign work, establish priorities, and monitor completion of quality intelligence initiatives and projects.
• Coach, mentor, and provide technical guidance to team members, supporting development in root cause analysis, data analytics, critical thinking, and quality risk assessment.

Benefits

• BDO describes its Total Rewards offerings as encompassing more than traditional benefits.
• As an ESOP company, BDO offers participants a stake in the firm’s success through beneficial ownership and an opportunity to enhance their financial well-being.
• The ESOP is a qualified retirement plan and an addition to the firm’s compensation and Total Rewards offerings.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director