Chief Auditor and Director, Professional Standards

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. 

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) or New York, NY is $334,800/year - $400,000/year. Team members may also be eligible for performance-based discretionary awards.

• Work Location – Staff will be assigned to the Washington, DC (Headquarters), New York, NY office, or another office as approved by the PCAOB.

• Generous paid time off – Up to 6 weeks annually, in addition to 12 federal holidays, and 2 floating holidays and a 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 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 Chief Auditor and Director, Professional Standards (Chief Auditor) is the Board’s principal advisor on auditing and related professional standards applicable to auditors of issuers and SEC-registered broker-dealers. The Chief Auditor, an officer of the organization, reports to the Chair. The position can be located in the PCAOB’s Washington, DC headquarters or New York office.  The Chief Auditor is responsible for leading a comprehensive approach to modernize standard‑setting to ensure that PCAOB standards meaningfully improve audit quality, can be implemented effectively, and remain aligned with the public interest. 

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:
  • Oversee multiple interdisciplinary teams to conduct research and outreach regarding key matters affecting audits of issuers and SEC-registered brokers and dealers. 
  • Oversee multiple interdisciplinary standard-setting teams to develop, based on research and outreach, regulatory releases setting forth new and revised auditing and professional practice standards.
  • Oversee 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.
  • Oversee 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.
  • Evaluate 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.  

Qualifications

Education/Technical Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or relevant discipline; Current CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license or equivalent required.
• MBA/master’s degree preferred.
• 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.

Leadership/Management Skills and Abilities

• 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.

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.