Expense Analytics Associate Director

Grant Thornton (US)

Expense Analytics Associate Director at Grant Thornton overseeing expense strategy and management processes. Collaborating with teams to drive compliance, analytics, and operational excellence.

Posted 7/10/2026full-timeChicago • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $136,000 - $175,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

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

Requirements

What you’ll need

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.

Benefits

Comp & perks

We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different, and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit: __https://www.grantthornton.com/careers/rewards-and-benefits__
Health insurance
401(k) matching
Flexible work hours
Paid time off
Remote work options

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Expense Lifecycle ManagementT&E Systems ImplementationFinancial IntegrationAudit ComplianceProcess OptimizationReporting and Dashboard DevelopmentPerformance ManagementAutomation ToolsCorporate Card Program ManagementAnalytical Skills

Soft Skills

Stakeholder ManagementExecutive CommunicationCritical ThinkingProblem-SolvingAttention to Detail