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.
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 $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) 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 General Counsel position is located in the Washington, DC (Headquarters) office and will serve as the PCAOB’s chief legal advisor. This key role is an officer of the PCAOB, reports directly to the Chairman, and is primarily responsible for representing, advising, and assisting the five-member Board and staff on all internal and external legal matters. This role will assess and develop mission critical programs, act as a change agent, and help to lead the transformation of the organization.
Responsibilities
Lead and supervise the legal function of the PCAOB.
Advise and counsel Board and staff on the exercise of the program responsibilities under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as amended.
Oversee the preparation of draft opinions for disciplinary sanctions that are appealed to the Board, and the defense of PCAOB decisions that are appealed to the SEC.
Advise and counsel the Board, management, and staff on all legal issues.
Draft and supervise the drafting of legal memoranda to the Board opining on the legal sufficiency of actual or proposed exercise of the PCAOB’s statutory and/or regulatory authority across all Divisions and Offices.
Advise on organizational compliance with pertinent laws and regulations, including by providing legal support to the PCAOB’s Chief Compliance Officer.
Advise on PCAOB compliance with SEC requirements.
Oversee the legal review of all contracts entered into by the PCAOB.
Oversee and manage relationships with outside counsel.
Advise the Board and staff on the maintenance of PCAOB employment policies in conformity with applicable federal and state requirements.
Lead and provide direction to teams of attorneys within the Office of General Counsel.
Plan, direct, and monitor the operations of the Office of General Counsel to improve program execution, promote increased efficiency of operations, and help ensure the appropriate utilization of resources.
Have overall responsibility of the Office of General Counsel administrative functions, including budget, information technology, risk management, compliance, and security activities; and other administrative support.
Perform the full range of supervisory duties, including evaluating employee performance; makes recommendations for appointment and promotion; hears and resolves complaints; identifies development and training needs of employees; other related supervisory tasks.
Recruits, maintains, and develops staff consistent with business needs.
Qualifications
Education/Technical Expertise
Juris doctor (JD) from an accredited law school in the United States.
Active membership of the Bar in good standing in any State, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
At least 15 years of progressively responsible relevant legal experience with either a law firm, corporation, federal government agency or regulatory body, or combination thereof; experience in an environment related to financial or securities regulation, accounting, or public company auditing preferred.
Knowledge and experience relating to corporate and securities laws; rulemaking and administrative law; contract law, labor/employment law, and commercial law at the federal and state levels strongly preferred.
A self-starter able to administer a number of open, ongoing assignments at any one time, where some assignments are unstructured, requiring autonomy and independent judgment.
In-depth experience successfully harmonizing diverse and competing interests.
Ability to clearly articulate a position with sound logic and conviction.
Ability to effectively represent the organization to a variety of both internal and external constituencies.
Superior verbal and written communication skills.
A self-starter able to administer a number of open, ongoing assignments at any one time, where some assignments are unstructured, requiring autonomy and independent judgment.
In-depth experience successfully harmonizing diverse and competing interests.
Ability to clearly articulate a position with sound logic, supporting jurisprudence and impartiality.
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
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.
Skills Required
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- Active membership of the Bar in good standing
- 15 years of relevant legal experience
- Knowledge of corporate and securities laws
- Superior verbal and written communication skills
What We Do
The PCAOB is a nonprofit corporation established by Congress to oversee the audits of public companies in order to protect investors and further the public interest in the preparation of informative, accurate, and independent audit reports. The PCAOB also oversees the audits of brokers and dealers, including compliance reports filed pursuant to federal securities laws. The PCAOB has four primary duties: - Register public accounting firms that prepare audit reports for issuers, brokers, and dealers. - Establish or adopt auditing and related attestation, quality control, ethics, and independence standards. - Inspect registered firms' audits and quality control systems. - Investigate and discipline registered public accounting firms and their associated persons for violations of specified laws, rules, or professional standards. In support of our mission, we also conduct economic research and risk analysis, engage with our stakeholders and other domestic and international regulators, and manage a talented workforce and the technology and resources we need to perform our duties. The SEC has oversight authority over the PCAOB, including the approval of the Board's rules, standards, and budget. The PCAOB has approximately 800 staff members.[1] We maintain our headquarters in Washington, D.C., and have nine regional offices across the United States. More than 1,700 public accounting firms located in 92 jurisdictions across the globe are currently registered with us. About 560 of those registered firms audit more than 12,000 issuers that file financial statements with the SEC or otherwise play a substantial role in those audits. [1] The data presented in this section is as of December 31, 2020. Note: Individuals who want to submit a tip or complaint can do so at [email protected] and not through social media accounts or posts.
