Grant Thornton
Risk Advisory Associate - Summer 2025
Grant Thornton, Newport Beach, California, us, 92659
Risk Associates are responsible for delivering engagements which include business process and information systems controls assessments and testing to support regulatory, compliance, operation and other strategic engagements. Risk Associates will be provided interactive learning opportunities as they join our client delivery teams in serving our clients.
A Risk Associate will gain exposure to various areas of the practice by participating as an active member on consulting and compliance projects and by becoming an integral part of the delivery teams. As a Risk Associate your primary responsibility will be executing high quality Risk projects and services from beginning to end under the supervision of experienced Risk leadership. You will be responsible for efficiently managing your workload to budget and learning how to apply technical skills across our various Risk solutions. As a Risk Associate you’ll have opportunities to build client relationships by developing a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses and delivering value through your insight and quality work. In addition, as a Risk Associate you’ll focus on continuously developing your technical and professional skills to grow and expand your role in the Risk practice.
As part of our Risk team you would help our clients assess their internal controls environment via Internal Audit, SOX Readiness / Compliance, and IT Certification readiness projects. Risk Associates are exposed to various projects across Risk solutions, allowing the Associates to discover the advisory services most suited to their skills and interests. Associates can expect to work closely with other staff, managers, and partners on all phases of the engagement lifecycle including planning, engagement management, and project wrap up. In addition, Associates are expected to actively contribute to Risk business growth by identifying business development opportunities, participating in marketing and brand initiatives, and assisting with development of Grant Thornton thought leadership.
Interested candidates should be self-starters, team oriented and should demonstrate strength in or a desire to build skills related to Grant Thornton’s core values of: Collaboration, Leadership, Excellence, Agility, Respect and Responsibility. We are looking for candidates that would like to build a dynamic career marked by continuous skills development and progressive responsibilities.
Your day-to-day may include:
Performing detailed analysis to identify and assess compliance or opportunities for improvement, documenting conclusions, and providing recommendations
Utilizing and continuously learning new technologies to collaborate with team members and enhance service delivery
Utilizing various data collection techniques, selecting appropriate method and prioritization to fit project objectives and deliverables, and applying established analytical models to evaluate data, costs and benefits
Evaluate and test business processes and IT controls and identify areas of risk
Apply current knowledge of trends to identify business risk management issues and other opportunities for improvement
Work with risk teams and the client to plan engagement strategy, define objectives, and address business process and IT controls risks and issues
Execute assigned client engagements from start to completion of information systems assessments and/or business process control reviews
Gain a comprehensive understanding of assigned client operations, processes and business objectives, and then utilize that knowledge on assigned engagements
Apply firm methodology and technology to complete risk and control identification/assessment in coordination with your engagement team
Contribute to the development of other team members through 360 feedback and ongoing collaboration
Participate in recruiting efforts as needed
Meet or exceed targeted billing hours (utilization)
Assist practice leadership in creating proposals, budgets, and work plans. Participate in other business development activities as appropriate
Other duties as assigned
You have the following technical skills or qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Management, Business Administration, Data Analytics, Internal Audit, Information Technology, MIS or related field. A Master’s degree is a plus.
Desire to pursue CPA, PMP, CISA, CISSP, CIA, CAMS, or CISM license/certification preferred
Minimum overall and major GPA of 3.0/4.0 preferred
Ability to work additional hours as needed and travel as required
Interest to work cross functionally throughout different business processes within an organization
Excellent analytical, communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
Strong technical aptitude and problem-solving skills which can be deployed to solve complex client projects
Effective project and time management skills for handling multiple priorities and simultaneous projects
Strong orientation towards life-long learning, continual skills development and rapid technology adoption
Ability to work efficiently and effectively in a complex team environment
Desire to pursue applicable professional certification as outlined above
Exceptional client service and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to develop and maintain outstanding client relationships
Ability to manage multiple engagements and competing priorities in a rapidly growing, fast-paced, interactive, results-based team environment
Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills. Additionally, excellent analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
The base salary for this position in the firm’s Newport Beach, CA office is $86,400 per year.
About Us
At Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result – for our clients and you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more: more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It’s what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better.
About the Team
The team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how:
• Whether it’s your work location, weekly schedule or unlimited flex time off, we empower you with the options to work in the way that best serves your clients and your life.
• Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well-being through work-life integration options that work best for you and those in your household.
• 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. See how at www.gt.com/careers
• When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we’re taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion at www.gt.com/careers
Here’s what you can expect next:
If you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to you to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at www.gt.com/careers.
Benefits:
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
Benefits for internship positions: Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave, and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period.
Benefits for seasonal employee positions: Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave.
Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation.
Additional Details:
It is the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital or civil union status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic predisposition or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, it is the policy of Grant Thornton to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To make an accommodation request, please contact HR@us.gt.com.
For Los Angeles Applicants only: We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
A Risk Associate will gain exposure to various areas of the practice by participating as an active member on consulting and compliance projects and by becoming an integral part of the delivery teams. As a Risk Associate your primary responsibility will be executing high quality Risk projects and services from beginning to end under the supervision of experienced Risk leadership. You will be responsible for efficiently managing your workload to budget and learning how to apply technical skills across our various Risk solutions. As a Risk Associate you’ll have opportunities to build client relationships by developing a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses and delivering value through your insight and quality work. In addition, as a Risk Associate you’ll focus on continuously developing your technical and professional skills to grow and expand your role in the Risk practice.
As part of our Risk team you would help our clients assess their internal controls environment via Internal Audit, SOX Readiness / Compliance, and IT Certification readiness projects. Risk Associates are exposed to various projects across Risk solutions, allowing the Associates to discover the advisory services most suited to their skills and interests. Associates can expect to work closely with other staff, managers, and partners on all phases of the engagement lifecycle including planning, engagement management, and project wrap up. In addition, Associates are expected to actively contribute to Risk business growth by identifying business development opportunities, participating in marketing and brand initiatives, and assisting with development of Grant Thornton thought leadership.
Interested candidates should be self-starters, team oriented and should demonstrate strength in or a desire to build skills related to Grant Thornton’s core values of: Collaboration, Leadership, Excellence, Agility, Respect and Responsibility. We are looking for candidates that would like to build a dynamic career marked by continuous skills development and progressive responsibilities.
Your day-to-day may include:
Performing detailed analysis to identify and assess compliance or opportunities for improvement, documenting conclusions, and providing recommendations
Utilizing and continuously learning new technologies to collaborate with team members and enhance service delivery
Utilizing various data collection techniques, selecting appropriate method and prioritization to fit project objectives and deliverables, and applying established analytical models to evaluate data, costs and benefits
Evaluate and test business processes and IT controls and identify areas of risk
Apply current knowledge of trends to identify business risk management issues and other opportunities for improvement
Work with risk teams and the client to plan engagement strategy, define objectives, and address business process and IT controls risks and issues
Execute assigned client engagements from start to completion of information systems assessments and/or business process control reviews
Gain a comprehensive understanding of assigned client operations, processes and business objectives, and then utilize that knowledge on assigned engagements
Apply firm methodology and technology to complete risk and control identification/assessment in coordination with your engagement team
Contribute to the development of other team members through 360 feedback and ongoing collaboration
Participate in recruiting efforts as needed
Meet or exceed targeted billing hours (utilization)
Assist practice leadership in creating proposals, budgets, and work plans. Participate in other business development activities as appropriate
Other duties as assigned
You have the following technical skills or qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Management, Business Administration, Data Analytics, Internal Audit, Information Technology, MIS or related field. A Master’s degree is a plus.
Desire to pursue CPA, PMP, CISA, CISSP, CIA, CAMS, or CISM license/certification preferred
Minimum overall and major GPA of 3.0/4.0 preferred
Ability to work additional hours as needed and travel as required
Interest to work cross functionally throughout different business processes within an organization
Excellent analytical, communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
Strong technical aptitude and problem-solving skills which can be deployed to solve complex client projects
Effective project and time management skills for handling multiple priorities and simultaneous projects
Strong orientation towards life-long learning, continual skills development and rapid technology adoption
Ability to work efficiently and effectively in a complex team environment
Desire to pursue applicable professional certification as outlined above
Exceptional client service and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to develop and maintain outstanding client relationships
Ability to manage multiple engagements and competing priorities in a rapidly growing, fast-paced, interactive, results-based team environment
Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills. Additionally, excellent analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
The base salary for this position in the firm’s Newport Beach, CA office is $86,400 per year.
About Us
At Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result – for our clients and you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more: more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It’s what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better.
About the Team
The team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how:
• Whether it’s your work location, weekly schedule or unlimited flex time off, we empower you with the options to work in the way that best serves your clients and your life.
• Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well-being through work-life integration options that work best for you and those in your household.
• 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. See how at www.gt.com/careers
• When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we’re taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion at www.gt.com/careers
Here’s what you can expect next:
If you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to you to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at www.gt.com/careers.
Benefits:
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
Benefits for internship positions: Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave, and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period.
Benefits for seasonal employee positions: Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave.
Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation.
Additional Details:
It is the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital or civil union status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic predisposition or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, it is the policy of Grant Thornton to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To make an accommodation request, please contact HR@us.gt.com.
For Los Angeles Applicants only: We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.