Director Institutional Acceptance: Academic Resrch

POSITION SUMMARYGrant Thornton’s Public Policy and External Affairs ( PPEA ) group supports the firm’s policy-making activity by deepening relationships with key stakeholders and clearly articulating our policy positions to these constituents through a consistent messaging strategy.  Key stakeholders include regulators, legislators, issuers, institutional investors and other capital markets influencers ( e.g., investment banks, law firms, and research analysts ), academics, opinion leaders and policy/research organizations, other public company auditors, as well as our own people.The Director, Institutional Acceptance – Academic Research focuses on educating firm management and professionals as well as key external stakeholders about academic research on critical issues of concern to investors, capital markets, the firm, and the auditing profession.  This position is critical to ensuring that PPEA meets its strategic objectives and requires regular interaction with the firm’s senior leadership.  This highly motivated individual should possess a deep desire to address challenging professional issues as well as a strong aptitude for creating compelling conceptual and practical arguments that form and strengthen the firm’s positions on critical issues.  The Director monitors and summarizes academic research for senior management that addresses strategic issues of importance to the firm, and writes articles and white papers for internal and external audiences. The Director also serves as a firm liaison to the academic research community.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES-Provide a wide range of research and analytical activities needed to support the firm’s strategic initiatives.-Monitor extant literature ( review news publications, academic journals, and working papers ) to identify emerging issues and research streams with potential implications for the Firm’s public policy stances.-Write summaries of emerging research on issues of strategic concern for internal use by senior management and, in some cases, all Grant Thornton people.-Leverage required resources ( i.e., data, research, third-party support ) to examine policy issues important to the firm. -Conduct in-depth analysis, summarize findings and develop recommendations for internal decision-making as needed to help form and support firm strategies.-Develop white papers and articles for publication in internal and external venues that communicate research results and implications on strategy and public policy.-Assist with general project management for research and outreach, including applicable program training development.-Build and expand awareness and understanding of Grant Thornton’s role / value in the profession and the capital markets among academic researchers focused on issues related to accounting and auditing. This involves direct outreach to members of the academy and the American Accounting Association, as well as selected influential academic researchers in related disciplines such as law, economics, finance, and management.-Develop and disseminate best practices in communicating and promoting Grant Thornton’s policy positions among accounting academics, other key influencers and internal constituents.-Adhere to the highest degree of professional standards and strict confidentiality in matters that require discretion.-Attend professional development and training sessions on a regular basis.-Perform other job-related duties as necessary.QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS-Ph.D. in accounting required.-Advanced training in economics and statistics and a strong quantitative aptitude highly preferred. -Demonstrated ability to perform and publish academic-style research. Academic experience and membership in the American Accounting Association preferred.-Minimum of 6-8 years of collective ( pre- and post-graduate degree ) full-time work experience, preferably in positions with significant interactions with accounting and other business professionals.-Active CPA license required or commitment to become licensed in the appropriate state on a timely basis.-Ability to think about issues in a fundamentally intellectual way.-Ability to identify issues and complete the necessary steps to produce finished products that clearly communicate the key issues of importance to the intended audience.-Ability to function as a team member as well as to lead and manage teams, including teams composed of firm members and others outside of the firm, e.g. academics, other accounting professionals and other stakeholders.-Experience conducting primary research contributing new knowledge to the field and secondary research applying existing knowledge to practical application. -Ability to identify and leverage internal and external resources ( i.e., data, research, third-party support ) to perform high-quality, relevant analyses. -Ability to read and analyze critically a wide range of academic and non-academic research and other studies, government reports, standards-setters’ proposals, and blue-ribbon committees’ recommendations. -Strong inductive and deductive reasoning skills capable of exploiting a wide range of information sources and supporting an ability to proficiently analyze and interpret qualitative and quantitative data and extract the points of relevance. -Superior analytical skills as demonstrated by a track record of thought leadership and problem solving, preferably focused on issues related to financial reporting, auditing, and market structures. -Proficiency with statistical concepts and analysis and familiarity with statistical research packages.-Proficiency with Microsoft Office. -Deep interest in developing insights to form and support strategic decision-making and messaging efforts.-Excellent verbal communication, writing, and presentation skills.-Particular interest and capability in written communications as evidenced by a publication record is essential to the role.-Experience or demonstrated ability to relay ideas, facilitate discussion, and present complex issues and research findings to a variety of audiences. -Strong project management and time management skills.-Comfortable with meeting tight deadlines.-Significant experience demonstrating success in balancing independent activity with a collaborative team environment.-Demonstrated research project management experience highly desirable.-Ability to work additional hours as needed. Company:Grant Thornton LLPLocation:Washington, DC 20001Status:Full Time, EmployeeJob Category:Full Time, EmployeeEducation:Doctorate Company:Grant Thornton LLPReference Code:8333