Avani Kanojia
Irving,TX
Summary
Contracts and audit oversight leader with 17+ years of experience supporting major Department of Defense programs in the public sector. Skilled in contract administration, procurement support, regulatory compliance (GAGAS, FAR, DFARS, CAS), team leadership, and performance management. Proven ability to improve audit cycle times, strengthen internal controls, and guide staff through complex contract and cost related reviews. Recognized for building strong relationships with contracting officers, senior leadership, and industry partners.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Supervisory Auditor
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA)
Fort Worth, TX
09.2024 - Current
- Led and developed auditors (in-person and virtually) for contract oversight of major defense contractor with $30B in annual sales.
- Provide hands on instruction on audit workflow, contract compliance, and federal regulations.
- Established performance milestones to track progress and accountability for price proposals, progress payments, incurred costs, and compliance with defective pricing.
- Implemented structured training and mentoring programs to enhance auditor readiness and documentation quality.
- Earned Director’s Coin for exceptional performance in project management.
Data Analytics Technical Specialist
DCAA
Irving, TX
10.2023 - 09.2024
- Led machine learning initiative identifying automation opportunities to enhance contract oversight.
- Built automated Power BI models for pricing, rate proposals, and offsets to streamline contract analysis.
- Tested the EPIC audit management system as a beta tester and trained 330 staff on system functionality.
- Monitored staffing, budgeted hours, and audit schedules to support effective workforce planning.
Supervisory Auditor
DCAA
Grand Prairie, TX
01.2021 - 10.2023
- Recognized with Director's Coin for exceptional leadership in supervision.
- Supervised contract audits and guided inexperienced staff through complex incurred cost assignments, ensuring compliance for a contractor with $10B in annual sales.
- Strengthened interagency communication through briefings on contract risk, regulatory application, and rate impacts, enhancing collaborative efforts.
- Provided negotiation support for multiple fiscal years of unresolved contract actions, facilitating resolution and advancing contract compliance.
Technical Program Specialist
DCAA
Richardson, TX
03.2018 - 01.2021
- Built Cognos and Power BI dashboards to track project timelines, staffing, and performance metrics.
- Produced monthly and annual performance reports, informing strategic decisions for senior leadership.
- Conducted workforce planning analysis, aligning resources with projected needs for four future fiscal years.
- Managed roles in PIEE, DAI, and DMIS, ensuring compliance with internal controls.
Special Programs Specialist
DCAA
Dulles, VA
11.2017 - 03.2018
- Provided actionable written and oral recommendations on enhancing program access and physical security.
- Facilitated DCAA Security's resolution of DoDIG findings by conducting interviews, analyzing data, and planning corrective actions.
- Recognized for collaboration and teamwork within project team, contributing to project success.
Incurred Cost Technical Specialist
DCAA
Richardson, TX
03.2016 - 11.2017
- Guided 15 Field Audit Offices on contract cost allowability and compliance, enhancing audit quality.
- Interpreted FAR, DFARS, CAS, and contract terms for high risk audits, ensuring regulatory adherence.
- Conducted adequacy reviews and trained staff on ICE model tools to accelerate contract closeout.
- Liaised between offices, Intelligence Community customers, and HQ Policy to streamline communication and collaboration.
Supervisory Auditor
DCAA
Garland, TX
07.2012 - 03.2016
- Managed multi year incurred cost audits for major contractors (sales of $10B) and non major contractors (sales less than $100M) in classified environment.
- Updated DoD customers on contract analysis and audit findings to ensure informed decision-making.
- Recommended staffing strategies to optimize workload management.
- Analyzed contractor audit history and resource needs to support long-term planning initiatives.
Auditor
DCAA
Garland, TX
09.2008 - 07.2012
- Conducted incurred cost, pricing, CAS, contract close-out, and direct cost audits in classified environments, ensuring compliance for major contractors with $8B in sales.
- Prepared risk assessments, audit reports, and negotiation support documentation to support audit findings.
- Selected for Accounting System Audit pilot to develop audit program, enhancing audit processes.
- Achieved recognition as Auditor Trainee of the Year for exceptional performance.
Education
Master of Public Affairs -
University of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX08-2008
BBA - Accounting
University of Houston
Houston, TX12-2002
BBA - Marketing
University of Houston
Houston, TX12-2002
Skills
- Regulatory Compliance (GAGAS/FAR/DFARS/CAS/Agency Supplements)
- Contract Administration
- Team Management
- Risk Assessment & Reporting
- Policy and Regulation Interpretation
- Project Management
- Data Analytics & Reporting
- Excel
- Power BI
- Audit Software
- Oracle
- Artificial Intelligence (Co-Pilot & GenAI)
- Experienced Manager for In-Person and Virtual Teams
Timeline
Supervisory Auditor
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA)
09.2024 - Current
Data Analytics Technical Specialist
DCAA
10.2023 - 09.2024
Supervisory Auditor
DCAA
01.2021 - 10.2023
Technical Program Specialist
DCAA
03.2018 - 01.2021
Special Programs Specialist
DCAA
11.2017 - 03.2018
Incurred Cost Technical Specialist
DCAA
03.2016 - 11.2017
Supervisory Auditor
DCAA
07.2012 - 03.2016
Auditor
DCAA
09.2008 - 07.2012
Master of Public Affairs -
University of Texas At Dallas
BBA - Accounting
University of Houston
BBA - Marketing
University of Houston