Robert (Bob) E. Kress, Accenture's executive director, Global IT Audit, previously was the senior director responsible for the company’s IT Business Operations group. Reporting to Accenture’s chief information officer, Mr. Kress was responsible for running Accenture’s IT as a business. He provided overall management for the organization’s $700 million global operation, including direct management of the IT Strategy, IT Planning, IT Risk, Application and Infrastructure Management Operations, Supplier and Contract Management, Audit and IT Policy, Communications, Business Performance, Finance, Human Resources, Deployable Resources and Organizational Development sectors.
Mr. Kress created an unparalleled ability for Accenture to run IT as a business, including implementing a comprehensive governance model and directing internal audits to determine benefits realized on IT initiatives. He defined and implemented a “managed services” approach for providing IT products and services to Accenture’s internal customers. An innovative departure from a traditional “one size fits all” method of delivering IT services, Mr. Kress’ managed services approach is a key component of Accenture’s internal IT strategy. His guide, IT Governance to Drive High Performance: Lessons from Accenture, was published in March 2010.
He has extensive experience in IT planning, IT governance, technology operations, application development, product management, service planning and program management. He defined and built the technology infrastructure for Accenture’s Technology Research and Development facility. He also developed business strategy and marketing campaigns for Accenture’s software products. As an Accenture consultant, Mr. Kress developed and delivered large, complex IT transformation projects and business solutions that maximized ROI for clients in the health care, government, and consumer products sectors.
Mr. Kress holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa. He is married with four children and enjoys attending and participating in sporting events with his family, gardening and other outdoor activities.