Fort Belvoir, VA –
When Tony Shobert joined DCAA 17 years ago, he was looking for more than just a job in auditing, he wanted his work to stand for something positive. The unique combination of safeguarding taxpayer resources and directly supporting the warfighter drew him in, as did the agency's commitment to work-life balance.
Today, as the Branch Manager for the Wichita KS Branch and Oklahoma City Office, his view on public service is clear and actionable. For Shobert, public service means ensuring that every dollar spent by the Department of War delivers maximum value, thereby building public trust and strengthening national security.
Throughout his career, Shobert has witnessed DCAA's evolution toward a more optimized workload, allowing specialized resources to focus on larger, highly impactful audits. This strategic shift was perfectly highlighted during one of his most memorable projects: auditing a high-visibility proposal for executive military aircraft.
During the audit, Shobert noticed the contractor presented estimates using full-time equivalents (FTEs), which failed to reflect the actual hours being expended. Rather than accepting the proposal at face value, he mapped out the actual hours worked per position against historical data. This innovative analysis revealed a significant variance, saving taxpayers substantial funding and permanently changing how the project manager evaluated labor structures for future negotiations.
Shobert describes DCAA’s team culture in three powerful words: Collaborative, Innovative, Supportive. He actively fosters this culture through his approach to mentoring the next generation of auditors. Rather than enforcing rigid top-down thinking, he provides newer team members with foundational agency guidance and then steps back so they can apply their own critical thinking skills.
By trusting his highly capable team and encouraging fresh approaches, Shobert ensures that DCAA continues to evolve, delivering robust financial oversight for the nation well into the future.