Associate Counsel Attorney Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

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 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.

The PCAOB has a full-time, regular position for a Associate Chief Counsel in the Office of the Chief Auditor (OCA) at its Washington, DC (Headquarters) office. The Associate Chief Counsel will work 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 will report to the Senior Associate, Chief Counsel and interact directly with OCA staff as well as senior staff within OCA.

Responsibilities

• Advise and counsel the Chief Auditor and staff of OCA on the major standard-setting activities and related projects in OCA.

• Scrutinize 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.

• Help 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.

• Creatively assess the applicability of legal precedent to the standard-setting process, such as court cases related to accounting, auditing, and regulatory procedures. Perform or guide legal research of judicial decision law, statutory law, administrative regulations, and other authoritative source material.

• Anticipate areas of legal risk to OCA and to the PCAOB, such as the legal challenge of standards adopted by the Board. Coordinate with the Chief Counsel for OCA and others at the PCAOB to analyze and address these areas of risk.

• Coordinate and help to lead special projects that have a legal component or that require coordination among multiple PCAOB offices.

• Review and analyze the applicability of academic economic literature in research and standard-setting projects.

• Coordinate with the Office of General Counsel to review standard-setting and research projects.

• Participate as a valued team member in meetings and interactions with staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

• As assigned, participate in consultation teams addressing questions in accordance with the External Consultation Policy, including information gathering and analysis; elevation within OCA and consultation outside OCA as appropriate; and developing, delivering, and documenting the response.

• Participate in inter-divisional PCAOB meetings to assess developments in accounting and auditing, and the potential need for amendments to the standards and rules of the PCAOB.

• Participate 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.

• Promote 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.

• Conduct training on legal issues for OCA staff and other staff of the PCAOB, such as for the Division of Registration and Inspections.

Qualifications

Education/Technical Expertise

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

• Active member of the Bar.

• Minimum of 12+ 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.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.

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.