Position SummaryThe PCAOB has a full-time, regular position available for a Senior Adviser to the Chief Economist and Director in the Office of Economic and Risk Analysis (OERA) at its headquarters in Washington, DC. The Senior Adviser to the Chief Economist acts as a senior strategic and economic advisor. This role involves providing independent, expert counsel on high-priority economic, regulatory, and public policy issues. The adviser also helps translate organizational priorities into analytically rigorous strategies and enhances OERA's ability to deliver timely, decision-useful economic analysis in support of the PCAOB's mission.
The Senior Adviser acts as a trusted thought partner to the Chief Economist and Director, and OERA leadership, with particular focus on strategy, economic analysis, risk analysis in supporting modernizing of inspections, audit-related public policy, and emerging economic and risk issues affecting the audit regulatory environment. The role leads or contributes to complex, cross-functional initiatives; advises on analytical methods and research quality; and represents OERA in senior-level internal and external engagements, as assigned.
Responsibilities- Advise the Chief Economist and Director on OERA strategy, economic analysis priorities, regulatory and audit-related public policy issues, and matters of significant organizational importance.
- Provide senior-level strategic analysis to support leadership decisions, Board and Chairman's Office priorities, and OERA's future-state operating model.
- Contribute to OERA strategic planning, capability assessment, modernization, and prioritization by identifying future analytical needs, technical skill requirements, including AI, opportunities to improve impact and efficiency, and approaches that support effective change management.
- Support OERA's work related to QC 1000 and the evolution toward a more quality control-focused inspections program, including analysis of audit firm quality control systems and related economic, market, and policy implications.
- Lead or advise on complex economics-based research, modeling, and policy analysis concerning auditing, accounting, capital markets, investor protection, and risks relevant to the PCAOB's mission.
- Assess the quality, relevance, and methodological rigor of significant analytical work products; identify opportunities to strengthen research design, data use, economic reasoning, and communication of findings.
- Help expand OERA's economic analysis capabilities by sharing advanced methods, mentoring staff on technical work, and promoting consistent standards for analytical excellence and reproducibility.
- Translate complex economic evidence into clear, concise, decision-useful advice, executive briefings, memoranda, presentations, and recommendations for senior leaders and other stakeholders.
- Partner with OERA leaders and subject-matter experts across financial analysis, accounting, risk analysis, business intelligence, economic modeling, and research and operations to integrate insights and advance shared priorities.
- Lead or support cross-divisional initiatives involving economic analysis, audit-related public policy, inspections, standards, enforcement, data, or risk, as assigned by the Chief Economist and Director.
- Monitor emerging trends, research, data, and developments in auditing, accounting, audit firm quality control, economics, finance, and regulation; advise leadership on potential implications for OERA and the PCAOB.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with internal leaders and external experts, including academics, economists, regulators, and other stakeholders, consistent with applicable ethics and independence requirements.
- Represent the Chief Economist and Director in internal or external forums when delegated and communicate OERA perspectives with sound judgment and appropriate coordination.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QualificationsEducation/Technical Expertise
- PhD in Economics, Finance, Accounting, or a closely related quantitative field.
- Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in economic analysis, research, regulation, public policy, financial markets, auditing, accounting, or a related field.
- Demonstrated expertise applying economic theory, empirical methods, quantitative analysis, or economic modeling to complex policy or regulatory questions.
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate research methods and analytical evidence, identify limitations, and develop well-supported recommendations under conditions of uncertainty.
- Recent experience with digital transformation, AI technology and data management projects.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to executive, policy, legal, and multidisciplinary audiences.
- Ability to operate with substantial independence, exercise sound judgment, manage multiple complex priorities, and deliver high-quality work in an evolving environment.
- Demonstrated success influencing outcomes and building trusted relationships across organizational boundaries without relying on formal authority.
- Commitment to integrity, objectivity, collaboration, accountability, and the public interest.
- Experience with audit regulation, audit quality, audit firm quality control systems, QC 1000, accounting, auditing, or audit-related public policy.
- Experience in a financial regulatory agency, government entity, academic institution, central bank, standard setter, or other mission-driven research or policy organization.
- A record of producing influential economic research, regulatory analysis, policy recommendations, or executive-level advisory work.
- Knowledge of public company auditing, capital markets, financial reporting, and the economic incentives affecting audit firms, issuers, investors, and other market participants.
- Experience advising senior executives, boards, commissions, or comparable decision-making bodies on complex economic or policy matters.
- Experience developing economists or other technical professionals through coaching, peer review, technical guidance, or research leadership.
- 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.
- 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.
- Proven ability to navigate and resolve various types of conflict in a timely and productive manner.
