Director, Audit Services (Brea)
Company Overview The HdL Companies help cities, counties and special districts maximize revenues through research and discovery efforts, financial and economic analysis, and provision of software that supports local government operations in a variety of important ways. We are regarded as a leader, occupying a specific niche in the financial services sector and serving over 900 local governments nationwide. Leveraging our talented team of professionals, along with leading edge software and database systems, HdL discovery efforts have recovered over $3 billion for our local government partners. Core Values HdL team members individually and collectively aspire to the following core values: Deliver Excellence In Everything – We anticipate needs and believe that delivering extraordinary service, inside and outside our organization, is key to our success. We passionately pursue excellence in everything we do. Do The Right Thing – We always act in the best interests of our company and our clients. We are respectful, have high integrity, and are accountable for our actions. Foster Relationships – We build lasting relationships based on trust with our teams and our clients. We value collaboration toward our common goals and inspire each other to improve and progress. Give Generously – We give generously of our time and resources with our teammates, clients and communities. We impart information for best practices, encourage professional development, and support charitable community organizations. Enjoy The Journey – We enjoy our journey and enthusiastically celebrate our successes. We have fun and find fulfillment working with our colleagues and clients. Be Authentic, Grateful, and Humble – We are thankful for the success we have achieved individually and as a company and never take it for granted. Job Summary The Director of Audit Services provides strategic, operational, and financial leadership for HdL’s Audit Services function. This position is accountable for the overall performance of the department, including P&L management, revenue growth, profitability, budgeting, forecasting, operational performance, staff leadership, client service, and the continued development of audit and revenue-recovery programs. The Director leads a team of approximately 15 employees and is responsible for ensuring accurate audit findings, business-friendly taxpayer outreach, and high-quality client service. The position drives continuous improvement and innovation to ensure HdL’s audit programs remain at the forefront of the industry while identifying opportunities to increase revenue recovery and enhancement for HdL and its clients. Job Responsibilities 1. Financial & P&L Management – 20% Holds P&L accountability for the Audit Services function, including revenue, expenses, profitability, and overall financial performance. Develops and manages the annual department budget and financial plan. Monitors revenue, expenses, margins, and performance against budget and forecast. Identifies and implements opportunities to improve revenue growth, profitability, productivity, and operating efficiency. Partners with Finance and Executive Leadership on forecasting, financial reporting, and business planning. Establishes financial and operational metrics to measure departmental performance. 2. Audit Strategy, Innovation & Program Development – 20% Provides strategic leadership for HdL’s audit and discovery programs. Leads the development of new audit programs, methodologies, tools, and processes through research and development efforts. Participates in the design and enhancement of technology, systems, and user interfaces supporting audit operations. Evaluates emerging trends, regulations, technology, and data sources to identify new revenue-recovery opportunities. Drives continuous improvement and operational scalability across the Audit Services function. 3. Quality Control & Revenue Recovery – 15% Maintains responsibility for the accuracy, consistency, and quality of audit findings. Conducts spot checks, parallel reviews, and analysis to identify potential missed revenue-recovery opportunities. Establishes quality-control standards and processes across the department. Uses audit results and performance data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement. 4. Client & Business Development – 15% Serves as a senior point of contact for clients regarding significant audit matters, issues, and opportunities. Participates in proposal development, client interviews, presentations, and business-development activities. Prepares and presents information regarding significant use-tax opportunities, revenue-recovery initiatives, and special projects. Partners with Client Services, Sales, and other departments to support client retention and growth. 5. Leadership & Staff Management – 15% Leads and manages a department of approximately 15 employees, including managers, supervisors, analysts, and/or professional staff. Establishes departmental goals, priorities, performance expectations, and accountability. Develops and tracks individual and departmental performance metrics. Participates in goal setting, performance reviews, compensation recommendations, talent development, and succession planning. Coaches and develops leaders and employees to build organizational capability and support future growth. Assesses staffing requirements and workforce needs based on business volume, financial objectives, and strategic priorities. 6. Strategic Planning & Executive Reporting – 10% Provides regular financial, operational, and audit-performance reporting to Senior Leadership and Executive Leadership. Participates in annual strategic planning, budgeting, and business-planning activities. Develops and maintains the Audit Services business plan, including revenue, profitability, staffing, technology, and operational objectives. Translates company growth objectives into departmental strategies and measurable results. 7. Cross-Functional Leadership – 5% Partners with Client Services, Finance, Sales, Technology, and other departments on strategic initiatives and operational issues. Provides audit expertise and leadership on company-wide initiatives. Ensures Audit Services priorities are aligned with HdL’s broader financial and strategic objectives. Skills and Qualifications Strong business and financial acumen, including understanding of revenue, expenses, margins, profitability, budgeting, and forecasting. Strong leadership and people-management capabilities. Demonstrated ability to manage a function using financial and operational performance metrics. Strong knowledge of local tax and revenue-recovery practices. Strategic and analytical thinking with the ability to translate data into business decisions. Strong client relationship, presentation, and communication skills. Ability to identify opportunities for revenue growth, operational efficiency, and process improvement. Ability to lead change and develop scalable processes to support organizational growth. Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or a related field. Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in local tax, fee discovery, audit, revenue recovery, or a related field. Demonstrated experience leading and developing professional teams. Experience with P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and operational performance management. Experience developing and implementing audit, revenue-recovery, or operational improvement programs. Experience interacting with senior executives, clients, and other key stakeholders. Compensation The starting base salary for this Brea, CA position is expected to be between $170,198.26 to $212,747.82 annually . Actual salary will be determined based on skills, experience (to the extent relevant) and other job-related factors, consistent with applicable law. Benefits Competitive Base Pay
