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. 

We are hiring mission-driven professionals interested in a career with purpose, competitive benefit offerings, and work-life flexibility. If you are interested in working with a diverse group of talented professionals to protect investors and drive audit quality and innovation while adhering to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct, join us.

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 for this role is $290,300 - $479,200.

• Hybrid work option – Staff will be assigned to one of our offices or locations, including: Washington, DC (Headquarters); 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.

Position Summary

The PCAOB has a full-time, regular position for a Chief of Firm Inspections in the Division of Registration and Inspections (DRI). DRI inspects registered public accounting firms in connection with the firms’ performance of audits, issuance of audit reports, and related matters involving issuers, and brokers and dealers. The Chief of Firm Inspections will report to the Director of DRI and oversee all inspections programs and inspection related teams, inclusive of senior leaders (e.g., Deputy Directors and other experienced professionals) and inspectors assigned to those programs and teams that directly contribute to the PCAOB’s mission of protecting investors.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight to inspections programs and teams, including:

  • Report to the DRI Director on DRI’s efforts to achieve inspections-related goals and objectives in the PCAOB’s Strategic Plan.

  • Supervise the direction of senior leaders, including inspections program leaders and inspection related team leaders, who execute inspections activities, including quality control inspection activities.

  • Supervise appropriate utilization of inspection resources.

  • Interact with firm leadership on emerging and recurring issues.

  • Interact with the Board and leaders of other Divisions/Offices, including presenting at Board meetings and responding to comments, questions, and requests.

  • Provide periodic inspections updates to and maintain effective working relationships with the Board, Board Groups, and other DRI senior leaders.

  • Work with inspection programs, inspection related teams, and other DRI leadership on inspection execution, findings, as appropriate, and inspection reports and other key inspection deliverables.

  • Supervise DRI’s assistance to the Board in its determination of the scope and elements of a Broker-Dealer Firm (BDF) Permanent Inspections Program.

• Contribute to the establishment of DRI’s goals and priorities related to inspections.

• Collaborate with other Divisions and Offices in support of their strategic objectives.

• Participate in the development of the strategic plan and budget.

• Provide review and input to external communications and reporting.

• Oversee proper reporting of inspection matters to the Board, the Division of Enforcement and Investigations, and the SEC, as appropriate.

• Represent the PCAOB at various speaking events in specialized industry conferences, forums, or international foreign regulator meetings, as requested.

• Oversee the assignment, review, supervision, and performance evaluation of assigned inspections personnel, including senior leaders in DRI.

• Actively participate in DRI’s Performance Review Committee.

• Oversee or participate in the development of learning and development opportunities for inspections staff.

• Participate, as requested, in the PCAOB’s recruiting process.

• Participate in DRI’s succession planning activities.

Qualifications

Education/Technical Expertise

• Current CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and/or CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor).

• Bachelor's degree in accounting and/or in a technology related field.

• Minimum of 20 years of recent, progressively responsible experience including experience in (1) the audit of publicly traded companies on the U.S. markets, (2) in the areas of IT general controls and application and process controls, and/or (3) Rule 15c3-3 (customer reserve, possession or control, exemptions) and Rule 17a-5 (broker-dealer reporting, including financial statements and supplemental schedules, compliance reports, and exemption reports).

• Comprehensive knowledge of PCAOB rules and 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, to make decisions and find solutions, and to encourage and support change.

• Demonstrated self-starter with sound independent judgment and initiative, skilled in time management and prioritization.

• Ability to manage expectations effectively and handle multiple projects with competing deadlines simultaneously.

• Proven relationship skills and the ability to partner and work strategically with individuals both internal and external to DRI and the PCAOB to drive overall solutions while managing issues and risks.

• Proven ability to adapt quickly to diverse work experience and assignments.

• Ability to handle sensitive employee and business information with utmost confidentiality.

• Superior communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Executive level presentation skills.

• Ability to clarify and summarize issues and propose solutions to individuals both internal and external to DRI and the PCAOB.

• Superior attention to detail.

• Ability to travel, as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA/master’s degree.

• Prior PCAOB inspections experience.

• Executive level experience such as attainment of a professional practice or technical partner (or equivalent).

• Public speaking experience.

• Experience with continuous process improvement methodologies and related tools.

Leadership/Management Skills and Abilities

• Proven 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.

• Ability to motivate and inspire employees at all levels of the organization to enhance team commitment and individual performance.

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

• Proven ability to develop, coach, and mentor staff, and provide 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.

• Experience leading office or organization-wide projects and initiatives designed to address critical business challenges and achieve organizational goals and objectives.

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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