Government (GPS) Industry Leader

Ranked among the largest accounting and consulting firms in the country and consistently recognized as a Great Place to Work, Cherry Bekaert delivers innovative advisory, assurance and tax services to our clients. We are proud to foster a collaborative environment focused on enabling your career growth and continuous professional development. Our strategy is to be digitally driven, industry-aligned, and focused on the middle market.

To continue our growth, we’re currently seeking an industry leader for our Government & Public Sector Practice (GPS), which is a strategic industry for our firm, providing tailored accounting, audit, and advisory services to state and local governments, and public sector organizations (public authorities, transportation agencies, school districts, and state and local agencies). These varied government clients range in revenue size from $2 million to $9 billion.

In this highly visible national role, reporting to the Firm’s Industry Leader, you’ll play a critical role in shaping and executing the growth strategy plans, by working through partners to drive growth accountability, for the $40M+ industry practice. This Partner role will collaborate with other stakeholders to align service offerings, co-develop go-to-market strategies, actively identifying market/industry trends and opportunities for creating new services, and ensure seamless client delivery across disciplines.

In addition, the role will involve developing GPS industry expertise and the professionals who support governmental and public sector clients. While the role will leverage your management, business development, and technical skills, there is an expectation that you will also directly service clients with at least 600 annual client charge hours.

To be considered for this role, you’ll need deep GPS industry experience with a large local, regional or national public accounting firm. Previous service line, regional, market, or industry leadership experience is strongly preferred. This role may work onsite/hybrid from any of our office locations or remotely from within the United States. Limited travel should be expected.

Key Responsibilities

• Industry Strategy & Growth
  • Act as the Firm’s Industry Leader and drive the GPS practice’s $40M+ growth strategy.
  • Collaborate with Regional Service Line Leaders (RSLLs), Advisory Service Line Leaders (ASLs), and Specialty Service Leaders (SSLs) to align service offerings and ensure seamless client delivery.
  • Identify market trends and opportunities to develop new services and go-to-market strategies.
  • Guide investments in GPS-specific services and talent development.
  • Drive growth accountability through regional and service line leaders or directly through dedicated partners.
• Talent Development & Collaboration
  • Develop professionals into subject matter experts and build a strong talent pipeline.
  • Support recruiting, performance management, and professional development initiatives.
  • Foster collaboration across industry practice leaders and firm leadership.
• Marketing & Visibility
  • Partner with marketing and growth teams to develop and manage the industry marketing budget.
  • Represent Cherry Bekaert in industry associations such as GFOA, GASB, ASBO, ICMA, and AGA.
• Client Service
  • Lead engagements for governmental entities including local governments, public authorities, transportation agencies, school districts, and state and local agencies.
  • Oversee engagements for clients ranging from $2 million to $9 billion in revenue.
  • Deliver exceptional client service while ensuring compliance with professional standards.
  • Maintain a minimum of 600 annual client charge hours.

 Qualifications   

• Bachelor’s degree. Masters preferred.
• CPA preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience with a large local, regional or national public accounting firm.
• Local government experience (cities, counties, towns) is required. Airport authorities and/or Enterprise Funds experience a plus.
• Involvement with GFOA, GASB, ASBO, ICMA, and/or AGA is desirable.
• Candidate's strongest traits must be in client service and business development, leading to growth
• Strong leadership and staff development skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Excellent problem solving, organizational, and analytical skills
• #LI-PB

What you can expect from us:
•    Entrepreneurial environment focused on professional development, career advancement, and performance and rewards opportunities.
•    Supportive partnership group with a “one firm” mentality and a commitment to colleagues’ success.
•    Big firm resources and bench strength; small firm flexibility and openness to new ideas.
•    Defined metrics and targets that eliminate ambiguity.
•    Flexible work arrangements with generous PTO, including a firmwide week off for the 4th of July.
•    Click her to learn more About Us

Benefits Information:

Cherry Bekaert cares about our people. We offer competitive compensation packages based on performance that recognize the value our people bring to our clients and our Firm. The salary range for this position is included below. Individual salaries within this range are determined by a variety of factors including but not limited to the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education, knowledge, skills, and geographic location. In addition, we offer a comprehensive, high-quality benefits program which includes annual bonus, medical, dental, and vision care; disability and life insurance; generous Paid Time Off; retirement plans; Paid Care Leave; and other programs that are dedicated to enhancing your personal and work life and providing you and your family with a measure of financial protection.

About Cherry Bekaert

Cherry Bekaert, ranked among the largest assurance, tax and advisory firms in the U.S., serves clients across industries in all 50 U.S. states and internationally. For more details, visit https://www.cbh.com/disclosure/ 

Cherry Bekaert provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. https://careers.cbh.com/legal-disclosures/ contains further information regarding the firm's compliance with federal, state and local recruitment and hiring laws. 

This role is expected to accept applications for at least five calendar days and may continue to be posted until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.   

Candidates must demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States. Cherry Bekaert will not provide work sponsorship for this position. 

Cherry Bekaert LLP and Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC are members of Allinial Global, an accountancy and business advisory global association. Visit us at  https://careers.cbh.com/ and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  

© 2025 Cherry Bekaert. All Rights Reserved.

This role is expected to accept applications for at least five calendar days and may continue to be posted until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.

Candidates must demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States. Cherry Bekaert will not provide work sponsorship for this position.

Cherry Bekaert LLP and Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC are members of Allinial Global, an accountancy and business advisory global association.