Government Contracting Advisory Manager

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RSM's Government Contracting team within the Management Consulting practice provides specialized advisory, compliance, and hands-on assistance to help Federal government contractors navigate complex regulatory requirements and improve the overall effectiveness of their contracting and finance functions - pairing deep technical credibility with a consultative, transformation-minded approach.

The US Federal Government spends over $700B a year on goods and services - from traditional aerospace & defense to technology R&D, vaccine development, and international aid. Federal government contracting touches nearly every business sector. As a Manager in our growing Management Consulting practice focused on Federal government contractors, you will deliver technically rigorous, end-to-end government contracting solutions, managing teams to deliver projects on time, on budget, and in line with client expectations to modernize and transform the way their finance and contracting functions operate.

You will work on numerous projects per year, managing several pieces of assignments, not just one small part, and you will feel a great sense of accomplishment when you are done! You will also work in a mutually respectful team environment which will help you perform at your best and advance your career and professional capabilities.

This role is a delivery and growth-support role within our Government Contracting practice and is expected to have a focus on the Federal government contracting market - following:

• Identifying, growing and developing opportunities, accounts and relationships within the Federal government contracting market alongside Management Consulting leadership.
• Bringing the full strength of the firm across Consulting (e.g. Risk, Technology, etc.) as well as across our other Lines of Business (i.e. Audit & Tax) to drive growth.
• Supporting the development and growth of a delivery team within Government Contracting (and across other Management Consulting capabilities - e.g. CFO Advisory, Technology, Program & Project Management etc.) focused on serving Federal contractors.
• Being 'hands-on' and delivering on client engagements alongside our Government Contracting and Management Consulting teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of projects to help clients meet Federal contracting requirements and improve the effectiveness of their contracting and finance functions, including:
  • Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and agency supplement compliance
  • Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) compliance
  • Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) business systems - Accounting, Estimating, and Purchasing
  • Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) audit readiness and internal control requirements
  • Cost allocation structure design and cost impact analysis
  • Forward Pricing Rate development
  • Cost Acccounting Standards Board (CASB) Disclosure Statement preparation
  • General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules and commercial pricing
  • Operating model and business process improvement
  • Contracting and finance technology assessment and enablement
• Drive high-quality work within expected timeframes and on budget
• Monitor progress, manage risk and ensure clients are kept informed about progress and expected outcomes
• Embrace a 'hands-on' approach as needed to help clients overcome specific challenges, including support with incurred cost submissions, rate calculations, business system documentation, and audit response
• Get regularly involved in internal and external business development activities and identify new opportunities through various channels
• Understand firm capabilities and have the ability to expand client service across lines of business
• Manage engagement and project financials
• Develop industry specialization and drive targeting, marketing, and training activities within Government Contracting
• Build client relationships and deliver quality client services
• Oversee and drive multiple concurrent projects to completion and assist our clients uncover additional areas of opportunity
• Develop new products, solutions, and deliverables for the rapidly changing Federal contracting environment
• Provide mentoring and motivate diverse client engagement teams by delivering constructive on-the-job coaching to team members, while fostering an innovative and inclusive team-oriented work environment

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
• 8+ years' experience in Federal government contracting, professional services, or a CPA firm
• 2+ years of experience leading and managing project teams
• In-depth, hands-on experience with several of the following:
  • FAR, DFARS and other agency supplements
  • CAS
  • DFARS business systems (Accounting, Estimating, Purchasing)
  • DCAA audit programs and associated internal control requirements
  • Cost allocation structure design and cost impact analysis
  • Forward Pricing Rate development
  • CASB Disclosure Statement preparation
  • GSA Schedules and commercial pricing
• Expert understanding of government contract cost accounting and the people, process, technology, and controls that support compliance
• Experience as a team lead or project manager on at least one full life cycle compliance, cost accounting, or finance transformation engagement
• Strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills with the ability to exercise mature judgment
• Executive presence and an understanding of stakeholder/client relationship management
• Proven experience collaborating with clients and other professional services areas
• Extensive experience in developing and building proposals
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills
• Ability to travel as required to meet client needs

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or MBA
• Experience supporting transformation, process improvement, or technology enablement engagements in addition to core compliance work
• Functional understanding of government contracting accounting/ERP platforms such as Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, and related cost accounting systems
• Fundamental and foundational understanding of AI and the applicability to the government contracts lifecycle and the Finance and Accounting function. This includes the ability to identify specific functional use-cases for Artificial Intelligence across the government contracts lifecycle and Finance and Accounting Operating Model as well as the ability to articulate leading practices associated with phased-AI adoption across the government contracts lifecycle and Finance and Accounting function.
• Experience in defining systems strategy, developing systems requirements, designing and prototyping, testing, training, defining support procedures, and implementing practical business solutions under multiple deadlines
• Experience in the development of teams
• Exposure to or experience across multiple industries within the Federal contracting landscape (e.g. aerospace & defense, technology, professional services, R&D)
• Hands-on technical experience implementing, configuring, or administering Deltek Costpoint , including its accounting, project setup, billing, and compliance modules, within a government contracting environment
• Industry or profession-focused certifications like Six Sigma and/or PMP

At RSM, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package for all our people. We offer flexibility in your schedule, empowering you to balance life's demands, while also maintaining your ability to serve clients. Learn more about our total rewards at

All applicants will receive consideration for employment as RSM does not tolerate discrimination and/or harassment based on race; color; creed; sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances; sex (including pregnancy or disabilities related to nursing); gender; sexual orientation; HIV Status; national origin; ancestry; familial or marital status; age; physical or mental disability; citizenship; political affiliation; medical condition (including family and medical leave); domestic violence victim status; past, current or prospective service in the US uniformed service; US Military/Veteran status; pre-disposing genetic characteristics or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.


Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process and/or employment/partnership. RSM is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, interview, or otherwise participate in the recruiting process, please call us at View phone number on click.appcast.io or send us an email at View email address on click.appcast.io.

RSM does not intend to hire entry level candidates who will require sponsorship now OR in the future (i.e. F-1 visa holders). If you are a recent U.S. college / university graduate possessing 1-2 years of progressive and relevant work experience in a same or similar role to the one for which you are applying, excluding internships, you may be eligible for hire as an experienced associate.

RSM will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records. For those living in California or applying to a position in California, please click here for additional information.

At RSM, an employee's pay at any point in their career is intended to reflect their experiences, performance, and skills for their current role. The salary range (or starting rate for interns and associates) for this role represents numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, education, skills, work experience, certifications, location, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.

Compensation Range: $119,100 - $239,300

Individuals selected for this role will be eligible for a discretionary bonus based on firm and individual performance.