Nathan Geesaman began his career providing traditional audit and tax services, eventually expanding his expertise to government contract compliance consulting.
“My passion for consulting grew, and I found that my auditing skills and comprehensive knowledge of accounting seamlessly translated to the intricacies of the Federal Acquisition Regulations and Cost Accounting Standards,” Geesaman told WashingtonExec.
After several years of honing his consulting skills, he joined Accenture Federal Services in a role that allowed him to apply his consulting acumen to support and ultimately lead the regulatory compliance function within the finance department.
Today, he’s the director of regulatory compliance at Accenture Federal Services, where his top priority is ensuring the firm remains compliant and at the forefront of compliance trends.
“At Accenture Federal, I continue to drive compliance initiatives, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards, and contribute to the organization’s success,” Geesaman said.
Below, he shares more about his career path, his top priorities at Accenture Federal Services, where he and his team sees growth opportunities, the impact networking had on his career in GovCon and more.
Why was this the path you chose, and how influential was it to your career?
I chose this career path because I was driven by a desire to make a tangible impact through my work. The dynamic nature of consulting allowed me to continuously challenge myself and apply my skills in diverse and meaningful ways. I was particularly drawn to the field of government contract compliance because it offered the opportunity to contribute to the integrity and efficiency of public sector operations.
Do you have a personal connection to the current mission you support? If so, please explain.
We support all agencies across the federal government. I’m inspired by the mission of the public sector and recognize the dedication of federal workers to the mission and the country. Our technology implementation work has real impact on people’s lives and I’m honored to help our company deliver for our clients.
What are your current top priorities and responsibilities? How do these relate to your company’s overall mission/growth strategy?
I’m responsible for ensuring our compliance with CAS and FAR. I oversee our audits conducted by the Defense Contract Audit Agency and manage our interactions with the Defense Contract Management Agency and other audit entities. My top priority is ensuring Accenture Federal remains at the forefront of compliance trends, such as changes and anticipated updates to the FAR and CAS.
Where do you and your team see growth opportunities in your current field or portfolio you support, or what do you anticipate to be your customers’ top pain points?
In light of recent Executive Orders, the FAR Overhaul, anticipated procurement changes in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act, and ongoing rulemaking from the CAS Board, our industry is poised for transformation. My team is proactively staying engaged with pending legislation and regulatory developments to ensure that we are well-positioned to advise the company on how to adapt to these changes. By doing so, we can capitalize on opportunities to implement more efficient processes, serve clients in new ways, and drive organizational growth.
How are you and your team planning to address/prepare for these opportunities?
One of the innovative strategies we have initiated is the implementation of generative AI tools to enhance process efficiencies. For instance, we are exploring the potential of uploading historical audit responses, manuals, policies, procedures, and regulatory guidance into a Retrieval Augmented Generation. This approach allows us to create baseline responses to audits automatically. As a result, my team can concentrate on verifying the accuracy of these responses rather than expending valuable time searching through files and drafting responses from scratch. This not only streamlines our workflow but also ensures that we maintain a high standard of precision and compliance.
How important is mentorship & networking in GovCon? Were they influential to your career?
Networking is a cornerstone of a successful career in government contracting. Recognizing this early in my career, I committed to being an active and engaged member of industry associations. This involvement has allowed me to learn from experts in the field and build strong professional relationships with counterparts in both government and industry. These connections are invaluable for staying informed on the latest developments and best practices in the GovCon sector, ultimately contributing to the success of our compliance initiatives.
What is something most people don’t know about you personally?
What many people may not know about me is that I am a proud father of three wonderful daughters, and I am rapidly embracing the role of a dedicated “dance dad.” My evenings are often spent helping my wife to chauffeur our daughters to and from dance classes, including ballet, hip hop, and jazz. As fall weekends approach, my time will be divided between attending their shows and competitions, all while trying to catch a few moments to watch the Philadelphia Eagles go for a repeat!