Transforming a Federal Agency

Chapter 3HUD's State of Affairs

I had no experience in the business of government. At EY, I specialized in auditing large global public companies. I had the good fortune to serve as a coordinating partner on some of EY's largest flagship accounts, such as McDonald's, Abbott Labs, Cardinal Health, and others. As the coordinating partner, I led global audit teams of over 650 people in 70-plus countries. The audit profession is an apprentice model; it takes several years to learn the skills to be become an audit partner. The tutoring process to progress in a Big-Four accounting firm is comprehensive and exhaustive. Along the way, I naturally became an expert in many management and business practices. I became an expert in financial reporting, internal controls, corporate governance, finance transformations, enterprise risk management, mergers and acquisitions, capital transactions, and digital transformations. It is the responsibility of the audit partner to oversee all global audit activities to assure compliance with the rigorous audit standards. I also became a seasoned professional in leading people and dealing with boards of directors, audit committees, and C-suite executives. I became a business advisor to senior executives and company leadership. In 37 years, I experienced a great deal, and became proficient in handling complex situations.

Every time I was assigned a new client, I spent considerable time gauging that company's business and culture and building a trusting ...