Chief Auditor and Director, Professional Standards

Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)•Washington, DC

2d•$334,800 - $400,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) is seeking a Chief Auditor and Director, Professional Standards to serve as the Board's principal advisor on auditing and related professional standards. This role is crucial for modernizing standard-setting to ensure that PCAOB standards meaningfully improve audit quality, are implementable, and align with the public interest. The Chief Auditor will lead a comprehensive approach to standard-setting, research, and outreach, overseeing the development of new and revised auditing and professional practice standards. This position also involves overseeing the implementation of standards, providing guidance on technology in audits, managing the Firm Consultation Process, and fostering alignment with international auditing standards. The role requires collaboration with other offices, representation of the PCAOB externally, and full administrative and supervisory duties for the Office of the Chief Auditor.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or relevant discipline
Current CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license or equivalent required
Minimum of 20+ years of progressive responsibility in public accounting or environment related to auditing, accounting, or financial reporting (or combination), including experience in auditing publicly traded companies.
Comprehensive knowledge of PCAOB auditing and related professional practice standards, including independence, ethics, attestation, and quality control standards.
Strong familiarity with IAASB standards, accounting standards, and SEC financial reporting requirements.
Strong understanding of current and emerging developments, including AI, data and other related technology, and industry trends relevant to accounting and auditing.
A self-starter able to administer a number of open, ongoing assignments at any one time, and able to work autonomously and exercise independent judgment.
In-depth experience successfully harmonizing diverse and competing interests.
Ability to effectively represent the organization to a variety of both internal and external constituencies.
Superior verbal and written communication skills.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.
Proven skill as a leader capable of building, managing, and retaining talented staff.
Act as a change agent to lead transformation with the ability to drive positive change and create the conditions to enable team members to continuously innovate and leverage existing and new technologies.
Ability to drive a positive “tone at the top” of the organization and hold others accountable for doing the same.
Ensures that own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with the highest ethical standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
Must be able to motivate and inspire employees at all levels of the organization in order to enhance team commitment and individual performance.
Proven ability to develop, coach, and mentor staff, providing constant feedback and clear direction.
Ability to promote collaboration by unifying teams, setting common goals and incentivizing collaborative behavior.
Demonstrated success in establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
Strong ability to build credibility, organize effectively, solve problems quickly and communicate clearly.
Possesses the balance and emotional intelligence required to meet the diverse needs of the divisions/offices.
Proven ability to navigate and resolve various types of conflict in a timely and productive manner.

Nice To Haves

MBA/master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Serves as the principal advisor to the Board on matters relating to the application of PCAOB auditing and related professional standards applicable to engagements performed by registered firms for issuers and SEC-registered broker-dealers.
Directs the organization’s standard-setting activities (e.g., establishing the standard-setting and research agendas), including determining the need for, and overseeing the development of, staff guidance to highlight for auditors and the public new, emerging, or noteworthy circumstances.
Directs the Office of the Chief Auditor’s activities, including overseeing multiple interdisciplinary teams to conduct research and outreach regarding key matters affecting audits of issuers and SEC-registered brokers and dealers.
Oversees multiple interdisciplinary standard-setting teams to develop, based on research and outreach, regulatory releases setting forth new and revised auditing and professional practice standards.
Oversees the effective implementation of new and existing standards through guidance, consultation, and post-implementation review, including providing guidance to address AI and other technologies in financial reporting and the audit process.
Oversees the Firm Consultation Process enabling registered firms to request a consultation with the Office of the Chief Auditor (OCA) on the interpretation and application of PCAOB auditing, attestation, and quality control standards and related rules and forms, as well as PCAOB standards and rules on ethics and independence.
Evaluates how to foster alignment with international auditing standards, where appropriate, to enhance consistency, reduce unnecessary differences, and support audit quality and efficiency in U.S capital markets, while preserving any difference necessary to reflect U.S. legal requirements, investor protection priorities, or important regulatory matters, such as the QC 1000 standard.
Collaborates with other offices and divisions to advance organization-wide priorities.
Represents the PCAOB at conferences or other meetings.
Engages with members of external groups or organizations, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulators, investors, auditors, academics, audit committee members, and financial executives, on matters relating to PCAOB auditing and related professional standards.
Performs a full range of administrative and supervisory duties for the Office of the Chief Auditor, including evaluating employee performance, making recommendations for appointment and promotion, identifying development and training needs of employees, and other related tasks.

Benefits

Highly competitive compensation and benefits package
Transparency, equity, and fairness in compensation programs
Performance-based discretionary awards
Generous paid time off – Up to 6 weeks annually
12 federal holidays
2 floating holidays
Year-end break December 28 – 31, 2026
Highly competitive 401(k) match and savings options
Immediate vesting and contributions matched dollar for dollar, up to 7 percent of eligible compensation
Roth in-plan conversion available
Comprehensive and competitive health benefit offerings – Medical, dental, and vision plans
Supportive paid family leave benefits – Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave
Up to 16 weeks paid caregiver leave
Life insurance benefits – Basic life and AD&D insurance provided
Supplemental insurance also available
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program eligibility
Student loan repayment assistance
Staff college tuition assistance
College coach program support
Mental health and well-being resources
Paid volunteer time
Emergency child/adult dependent back-up care services
Family-forming assistance
Discounted gym memberships
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Health advocate program
Commuter benefits – Tax-free employer subsidy and pretax employee deductions