Chief Financial Officer at The Public… · Washington

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 $297,600/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 Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position is located in the Washington, DC (Headquarters) office and has a central leadership role within the Office of Chief Operating Officer (OCOO). The CFO reports to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), serves as PCAOB Treasurer, and is responsible for leading the Office of Finance which includes the PCAOB’s treasury, financial reporting, funding, budget, payroll, procurement, financial systems, travel, and internal control functions. This role will lead the Strategic Planning effort and annual budget formulation process to ensure Board approved priorities are translated into clear funding decisions, resource allocations and multi-year financial plans. The CFO acts as a change agent and helps to lead transformation efforts across the organization through continuous improvement in financial operations and systems that enhance transparency, efficiency and the PCAOB’s ability to plan, evaluate and justify spending each year.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership over the PCAOB Strategic Planning process, performance measures and annual budget process while developing and implementing enterprise planning that strengthens the connection between budget, organizational performance and results. This includes establishing practical methods to link spending to measurable outcomes, operational impact and mission delivery.
• Provide financial leadership and advice to the Chairman, Board and senior leadership on budget strategy, financial risks, tradeoffs and impacts, and long-range fiscal planning.
• Develop and oversee a transparent budget justification framework that clearly explains annual spending needs and demonstrates value and prudent stewardship of the accounting support fee. This includes overseeing financial planning, forecasting and analysis to support informed decision making, monitoring financial trends, and adjusting resource allocations as priorities evolve.
• Advance data driven financial management by improving the recurring use of benchmarks, performance metrics, and financial dashboards to further assess effectiveness of PCAOB programs and operations and support accountability.
• Serve as an Officer of the PCAOB in the role of Treasurer and promote enterprise-wide financial stewardship by partnering with Division and Office leaders to improve budget discipline, clarify spending rationale and build shared ownership of organization- wide results.
• Lead continuous innovation by managing the continued enhancement and evaluation of finance business processes and information systems, including using AI.
• Provide periodic updates and advise the COO, the Chairman, and the Board on financial initiatives and activities to ensure budget requests are aligned with enterprise priorities, expected outcomes and organizational performance goals.
• Plan, direct, and monitor Office of Finance operations (treasury, financial reporting, funding, budget, payroll, procurement, financial systems, travel, and internal control functions) to improve program execution, promote increased efficiency of operations and assure the appropriate utilization of resources.
• Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems and ensure timely and accurate reporting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and other applicable regulations, including the development of monthly cash-basis financial results and quarterly and annual financial statements.
• Work closely with the financial reporting team to facilitate the timely completion of the PCAOB’s annual integrated audit and serve as a point of contact with the PCAOB’s external auditors.
• Establish and maintain an effective system of audit readiness, compliance, and internal controls over financial reporting and financial management functions. Present findings along with management’s assessment of internal controls over financial reporting to the COO, the Chairman, and the Board.
• Establish and maintain an effective cash management plan. Ensure that cash management policies align with the organization’s risk tolerance and Board policies.
• Work closely with Office of the COO, the Chairman, the Board, and the Divisions/Offices in the formulation and execution of the PCAOB’s budget.
• In coordination with the PCAOB’s Office of General Counsel, ensure the PCAOB maintains appropriate insurance coverage and serves as a point of contact for the PCAOB’s insurance brokers and providers.
• Perform the full range of supervisory duties, including evaluating employee performance; making recommendations for appointment and promotion; hearing and resolving complaints; identifying development and training needs of employees within Office of Finance; and other related supervisory tasks.
• Recruit, maintain, and develop staff consistent with business needs.
• Perform other job duties or responsibilities, as required.

Qualifications

Education/Technical Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or relevant discipline; current CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license required.
• At least 15 years of broad progressively responsible relevant experience leading a finance/accounting function; prior experience working in the public accounting industry is desired.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading strategic planning, budgeting and financial management, including experience leading a team to align annual budgets, fiscal strategy and costs to specific business activities, organizational priorities and performance outcomes.
• Proven leadership in financial transformation and process improvement including formulating an annual budget rooted in performance metrics, benchmarks, evidence-based analysis and shared understanding to justify spending decisions.
• Strong commitment to transparency, fiscal discipline and responsible management of public or fee-based resources.
• Experience leading a team to align annual budget formulation and execution with strategic priorities and using modern budgeting, reporting and decision support tools.
• Ability to lead and drive positive change and create the conditions to allow team members to continuously innovate and leverage technology effectively.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, PCAOB auditing standards, and COSO 2013.
• Knowledge of financial governance, internal controls, compliance and audit practices in a highly regulated environment.
• Knowledge of the application of AI concepts, including machine learning, generative AI, and related data platforms.
• Ability to clearly articulate a position with sound logic and conviction. This individual must have high integrity, a sound stewardship mindset, and possess a strong commitment to and reputation for ethics.
• 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. Ability to represent the organization to a variety of both internal and external constituencies.
• Executive-level judgement and communication skills with the ability to explain complex financial issues clearly to Board members, senior leaders and non-financial stakeholders.
• Strategic and nimble thinker coupled with a “roll-up-the-sleeves” mindset, willing to immerse themselves in the business and demonstrate initiative to solve problems and improve enterprise-wide stewardship.
• High levels of initiative, drive, and poise coupled with maturity, professionalism, and patience.
• Demonstrated commitment to the highest standards of performance.
• 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​

• MBA or Master's degree in a relevant discipline.
• Experience with Workday or other enterprise financial management systems.

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 to enhance team commitment and individual performance.
• Proven skill as a leader capable of building, managing, and retaining talented staff.
• Proven ability to develop, coach, mentor, and provide clear direction to staff.
• 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.