Join us and make a difference in global investor protection.

Who We Are

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), a nonprofit organization established by Congress, oversees the audits of public companies and SEC-registered brokers and dealers to protect investors and to further the public interest in the preparation of independent, accurate, and informative audit reports.

Our investor protection mission is focused on modernizing audit standards, enhancing audit inspections, and strengthening enforcement of PCAOB rules and standards and other related laws and rules. People are at the heart of our mission at the PCAOB.  As we carry out that mission, we strive to uphold the highest standards in audit quality with investors’ families, savings, and futures in mind. 

The PCAOB has a full-time, regular position for a Deputy Chief Counsel in the Division of Registration and Inspections (DRI) Chief Counsel Group. DRI inspects registered public accounting firms in connection with the firm’s performance of audits, issuance of audit reports, and related matters involving issuers, and brokers and dealers. As a senior leader, the Deputy Chief Counsel will have a range of responsibilities primarily related to supporting the Chief Counsel, DRI in leading DRI’s work in the areas of remediation, report writing, inspections methodology and inspection, and registration-related consultations and advice. This role will report to the Chief Counsel, DRI and will assist in leading a group of experienced professionals that directly contribute to the PCAOB’s mission of protecting investors.

What We Offer

At the PCAOB, we offer a highly competitive compensation and benefits package with a focus on the health and financial well-being of our valued team members. Some of the features of our comprehensive Total Rewards package include:

• Compensation – We support transparency, equity, and fairness in our compensation programs and provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range, based on data-driven market analysis, for each job posting. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, a reasonable estimate of the salary range in all offices/locations is $242,000 - $399,100 per year.

• Hybrid work option – Staff will be assigned to one of our offices or locations, including: Washington, DC (Headquarters); Ashburn, VA; Irvine, CA; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Denver, CO; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Tampa, FL; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; New York, NY; Charlotte, NC; Philadelphia, PA; Dallas, TX; and Houston, TX. Staff can choose to live and work from anywhere within the United States but will be required to commute to their assigned office or location for occasional intentional gatherings or meetings at the frequency required by their supervisor. Travel to an assigned office or location for commuting purposes will not be considered reimbursable business travel, unless otherwise required by state law. Business travel is reimbursable in an amount not exceeding the cost to travel from the assigned office or location, unless otherwise required by state law.

• Generous paid time off – Up to 6 weeks annually, in addition to 12 federal holidays, 2 floating holidays, and a year-end break in December 2024

• 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 and up to 16 weeks paid caregiver leave

• Life insurance benefits – Basic life and AD&D insurance provided; supplemental insurance also available

• Education benefits – PCAOB staff qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. We also offer student loan repayment assistance, staff college tuition assistance, and college coach program support.

• Well-being and family resources – 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, and more  

• Commuter benefits – Tax-free employer subsidy and pretax employee deductions 

Responsibilities

• Lead role in assessing the degree of compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the rules of the Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and professional standards in connection with issuance of reports, and related matters involving issuers or broker-dealers.

• Gather and organize legal and closely related information to support identified inspection issues and drive issues to resolution.

• Assist in providing leadership and oversight for key activities in the areas of remediation, report writing, inspection methodology, and certain consultations involving remediation and inspection activities, including:

  • Staffing, including, remediation, report writing, and methodology team allocation.

  • Assisting in managing and interacting day-to-day with assigned teams and DRI leaders.

  • Presenting at board meetings, including responding to comments and questions.

  • Assisting in providing periodic program updates and maintaining effective working relationships with the Board, Board Groups, and DRI Leadership.

  • Assisting in facilitating a seamless process for inspection team leadership to act on comment forms and inspection reports.

  • Assisting in collaborating with other divisions and offices in support of their strategic objectives, including reviewing proposed new standards and providing input to standard setting and risk assessment activities.

  • Assisting in presenting to outside groups in speeches and panel discussions as a part of our external outreach.

  • Working with the DRI staff to provide input on external communications and reporting.

  • Assisting in ensuring the Chief Counsel of DRI is prepared to conduct proper reporting of inspection reports and findings to the Board, the Division of Enforcement and Investigations (DEI), and the SEC, as appropriate.  

• Along with the Chief Counsel, serve as the Division’s legal advisor, including receiving consultations from DRI teams on inspection- and registration-related matters and collaborating with the Office of General Counsel as appropriate.

• Along with the Chief Counsel, serve as a technical advisor and consultant for other highly skilled DRI team members.

• Assist in overseeing performance management, including ensuring appropriate evaluations are conducted, as applicable.

• Perform the full range of supervisory duties, including evaluating employee performance; making recommendations for appointment and promotion; hearing and resolving complaints; identifying development and training needs of employees; other related supervisory tasks.

• Participate in the development and/or facilitation of training courses.

• Participate actively in the PCAOB’s recruiting process.

Qualifications

Education/Technical Expertise

• Juris doctor (JD) from an accredited law school in the United States.

• Active member of the Bar.

• Minimum of 15+ years of recent experience with a law firm, government agency, corporation, or regulatory body (or combination).

• Experience in an environment related to accounting, financial matters, and/or public auditing.

• Strong technical abilities and regulatory knowledge.

• Knowledge of PCAOB standards and generally accepted accounting principles and/or international financial reporting standards.

• Proven leadership, analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to deal effectively with people and adversarial situations, make decisions and find solutions, and encourage and support change.

• Demonstrated self-starter with sound independent judgment and initiative that is skilled in time management, prioritization, and communication (both written and oral), and has the ability to work autonomously, manage expectations effectively, and handle multiple projects with competing deadlines.

• Proven relationship skills and the ability to partner and work strategically with individuals at all levels to drive overall solutions while managing issues and risks.

• Proven ability to adapt quickly in a changing environment.

• Must be able to handle employee-sensitive and business information with utmost confidentiality.

• Demonstrated communication and presentation skills and the ability to clarify and summarize issues and solutions to individuals internal and external to DRI and the PCAOB.

• Superior attention to detail.

• Ability to participate in limited travel, as needed. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional practice or technical partner (or equivalent).

Leadership/Management Skills and Abilities

• 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 skill as a leader capable of building, managing, and retaining a talented staff.

• 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 other PCAOB Divisions and Offices.

• Proven ability to navigate and resolve various types of conflict in a timely and productive manner.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All PCAOB employees are entitled to equal opportunity and a professional work environment, free of discrimination and harassment. A workplace free of discrimination and harassment is fundamental to professional success and to the PCAOB's mission. The PCAOB will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law.

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