Expense Analytics Associate Director

Grant Thornton • Chicago, IL

4d

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.

Responsibilities

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

What This Job Offers

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