Assistant Chief Counsel
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board See More Job Openings by This Employer
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 in Washington, DC (Headquarters) is $160,800 - $252,000 per year. Team members may also be eligible for performance-based discretionary awards.
Hybrid work option – Staff will be assigned to the Washington, DC (Headquarters) office. 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
Role Summary
The PCAOB has a full-time, regular position for an Assistant Chief Counsel in the Office of the Chief Auditor (OCA) at its Washington, DC headquarters office. The Assistant Chief Counsel works in a collegial group of attorneys in OCA and will have a range of duties and responsibilities primarily related to the proposal and adoption of standards and other rules adopted by the PCAOB. The position reports to the Chief Counsel and interacts directly with OCA staff as well as senior staff within OCA.
Responsibilities
Advises and counsels the Chief Auditor and OCA staff on the major standard-setting activities and related projects in OCA.
Scrutinizes the presentation of facts, analysis, and arguments in draft materials, including draft economic analyses, to promote a high level of accuracy, analytical consistency, and persuasiveness. As needed, may draft material for releases and other policy documents, especially material of a legally sensitive nature.
Helps OCA with technical regulatory drafting issues, so that the language is internally logical and fits within existing or revised standards or rules, to maximize clarity and enforceability of new provisions.
Assesses the applicability of legal precedent to the standard-setting process, such as court cases related to accounting, auditing, and regulatory procedures. Performs legal research of judicial decision law, statutory law, administrative regulations, and other authoritative source material.
Anticipates areas of legal risk to OCA and to the PCAOB, such as the legal challenge of standards adopted by the Board. Coordinates with the Chief Counsel for OCA and others at the PCAOB to analyze and address these areas of risk.
Helps in coordinating, and may be asked to lead, special projects that have a legal component or that require coordination among multiple PCAOB offices.
Reviews and analyzes the applicability of academic economic literature in research and standard-setting projects.
Coordinates with the Office of General Counsel the review of standard-setting and research projects.
Participates as a valued team member in meetings and interactions with staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Participates in inter-divisional meetings to assess developments in accounting and auditing, and the potential need for amendments to the standards and rules of the PCAOB.
Participates in OCA's review of proposed actions by other PCAOB divisions, including the Division of Registration and Inspections, the Division of Enforcement and Investigations, and the Office of International Affairs, that involve the interpretation and enforcement of the Board's professional standards.
Promotes a high level of trust in the accuracy and integrity of the work of OCA and of the standard-setting documents issued by the PCAOB.
Conducts or assists with training on legal issues for OCA staff and other staff of the PCAOB, such as the Office of Economic and Risk Analysis.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Juris doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school in the United States.
Active member of the Bar.
Minimum of 10+ years of progressively responsible experience with a government agency, regulatory body, or law firm (or combination).
Experience in an environment related to auditing, accounting, or financial reporting (or combination).
Knowledge and experience relating to federal securities laws or administrative rulemaking.
Excellent analytical and technical abilities, regulatory knowledge, and leadership skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
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.
#LI-Hybrid
- $160,800 - $252,000/year
