Federal Government

Advisory services for Federal Government agencies

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Partnering with agencies to improve performance, strengthen capability, and deliver high quality outcomes

Federal Government advisory services

Federal Government agencies are operating in an increasingly complex environment, balancing fiscal constraint, heightened public accountability, digital transformation, and evolving policy and regulatory demands. Delivering outcomes that matter requires strong governance, effective programs, robust financial management, and capable internal teams.

BDO’s Federal Government advisory services support agencies to navigate these challenges with confidence. We work alongside you to strengthen capability, improve performance, and deliver practical, sustainable solutions.

How BDO can help

When you work with BDO, we commit to delivering the highest quality outcomes to support Federal Government objectives. Our hands-on approach is designed to enhance your internal capabilities and help you navigate strategic challenges and fiscal constraints.

Through collaboration and knowledge transfer, we strengthen your expertise and provide your team with practical tools, ensuring you’re equipped to deliver results long after the project ends.

Why agencies choose BDO:
  • We assemble the right team with deep Federal Government experience
  • We understand the complexity of policy, delivery and assurance environments
  • We work collaboratively to build internal capability
  • We deliver outcomes that are practical, defensible and make a measurable impact.

CONTACT US

Federal Government advisory services team collaborating with agency stakeholders

Services for Federal Government

Business performance operations

We help optimise your organisation with achievable and sustainable improvements to deliver against your priorities.

To ensure clear organisational focus, strong alignment, and buy-in across your organisation we can support you with:

  • Business strategy and improvement
  • Digital and ICT strategy
  • Operating model design
  • Solution requirements, design and architecture
  • Data and analytics strategy
  • Data governance, privacy and assurance
  • Generative AI (incl. CoPilot) education, planning and implementation.

CFO advisory

We analyse funding structures and levels to ensure that agencies can address constraints and deliver outcomes into the future.

Through financial management and investment support, we work with you to improve financial information, provide better reporting and investment decision making.

Our experience includes:

  • Financial management
  • Investment support including business case development, procurement and costing
  • Accounting advisory including corporate reporting and audit readiness
  • Financial Sustainability: Agency funding structures and cost analysis
  • Corporate function review and finance projects.

Cyber security and Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC)

We empower our clients to navigate cyber security challenges and compliance obligations. In today’s digital era, cyber security is not just a necessity, it’s the backbone to keep Australia safe.

GRC: Cyber strategy and program plan design, cyber maturity assessments, privacy assessments, security risk assessment, compliance and assurance, AI security
Resilience: Crisis management, cyber security and business continuity exercises
Offensive security: Attack simulation and penetration testing
Enablement: Data risk management and security and security programs.

Risk and assurance, program and project assurance

We provide comprehensive assessments and advice to help clients identify, manage, and mitigate risks across all areas of operations.

Leveraging independent insights and extensive experience, we deliver recommendations that strengthen systems, controls, and governance including:

  • Independent Program and Project Assurance and initiatives including DTA Delivery Confidence Assessments
  • Privacy advice and assurance
  • Risk management advisory
  • Assurance (deep-dive, go-live, health check)
  • Business resilience, business continuity planning.

Internal audit

We strengthen our clients’ control systems by delivering insights and actionable recommendations through comprehensive internal audit services, including financial and compliance audits, operational and performance audits, and investigations.

  • Internal audit partnering: Outsourcing or co-sourcing
  • Establishing internal audit functions
  • Internal audit capability support
  • Assurance mapping and planning
  • Audit committee advisory
  • Continuous audit monitoring
  • Data analytics.

Portfolio, program and project delivery

We work collaboratively to keep complex program and projects on track, offering independent oversight, practical solutions, and insights that drive successful outcomes.

We deliver solutions in:

  • Project/program management
  • Program Management Office establishment and execution
  • Schedule, cost, and resource management support
  • Business performance reviews.

Other advisory services

Government panels

BDO has a well-established reputation in delivering quality work for government agencies and not-for-profit organisations.

BDO is an endorsed supplier on the following whole-of-government panels:

  • Management Advisory Services (MAS) Panel (SON3751667)
  • Professional and Associated Services Panel (SON3921486)
  • Digital Marketplace 2.0 | BuyICT Panel (SON3413842)
  • Defence ICT Provider Arrangement (SON3520191)
  • ANAO Provision of Professional and Associated Services (SON3921486)

Who we work with

Our team has worked with a broad range of Federal departments, agencies and regulators, including:

  • Department of Education
  • Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
  • Department of Defence
  • Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC)
  • Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
  • Department of Social Services
  • Australian Federal Police (AFP)
  • Australian National Audit Office.

Meet our team

Our team has extensive Federal Government and Defence experience. Contact our team directly to discuss your needs or submit a request for proposal.

Peter Sheehan

Peter Sheehan

National Leader, Government & Public Sector
Partner, Advisory
View profile

Contact us

Contact our team to discuss your needs using the request for proposal form.
Alternatively, call 1300 138 991 to speak with an adviser in your nearest BDO office.