Special Counsel/Board Counsel

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 $267,800/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 PCAOB has full-time positions including a Special Counsel and several Board Counsels at its Washington, DC headquarters. The Special Counsel advises the Chairman on matters that come before the Board. The Board Counsels advise respective Board Members on matters that come before the Board. These roles require professional candidates with advanced skills in writing, research, and communications who are willing to assume a wide range of responsibilities and are able to work both independently and in a team environment.

We are seeking seasoned candidates that thrive in a professional environment and exhibit the skills to collaborate and achieve actionable results with others, while maintaining the strictest confidence. The Special Counsel and Board Counsel roles are at-will employees whose terms of employment are tied to the PCAOB Chairman or Board Member’s term of service, as outlined below:

• Board Chairman – October 24, 2030

• Board Member – October 24, 2029

• Board Member – October 24, 2028

• Board Member – October 24, 2027

• Board Member – October 24, 2026 (term may be extended)

Responsibilities

• Review, analyze, and advise on all matters that come before the Board for decision, including proposed auditing standards; enforcement matters presented to the Board for action or on appeal; proposed inspection reports, and other public reports and guidance regarding PCAOB activities and recommendations regarding international collaboration.

• Provide legal and policy advice to assist in the development of positions.

• Collaborate with PCAOB Staff, international colleagues, audit firm representatives, and working group roles within the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators.

• Monitor and research select topics and media coverage related to the mission of the PCAOB (e.g., international audit oversight, audit related public policy, etc.).

• Determine best practices and how to improve internal processes.

• Prepare written documents that contain sophisticated analyses and discussions of competing policy necessary for informed judgment on the issues before the Board.

• Keep abreast of SEC, industry, and other self-regulatory organization initiatives, and develop and maintain strong working relationships with SEC staff and other regulators.

• Create associations of trust and respect with key stakeholders.

• Compose and edit correspondence, speeches, reports, and external publications dealing with issues or subject matters affecting the PCAOB in ways that require considerable sensitivity, discretion, judgment, and negotiation.

• Attend and speak at conferences and meetings on areas of subject matter expertise.

• Plan and coordinate logistics and communications for conferences and events.

• Perform executive level administrative support as needed.

Qualifications

Education/Technical Expertise

• A bachelor’s degree, and law degree from an accredited law school, and active admission to a bar

• Minimum of 12+ years of recent and practical legal experience

• Superior technical abilities, regulatory knowledge, and verbal communications skills

• Excellent technical and speech writing and editing skills, including the ability to convey complex information in a clear, concise, and accessible manner and draft executive level briefings and communications

• High degree of professional ethics and integrity

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook applications

• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of management, co-workers, and external parties

• General knowledge and/or interest in public auditing/accounting

• Detail oriented with solid time-management, organization, and prioritization skills

• Professional demeanor, ability to handle confidential matters with professionalism and discretion

• Self-starter with demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity, work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and demonstrate agility

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and ability to exercise excellent judgment

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Public Policy and/or regulatory experience, particularly in securities law.

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.