Office of the Chief Accountant

The Office of the Chief Accountant is responsible for establishing and enforcing accounting and auditing policy to enhance the transparency and relevancy of financial reporting, and for improving the professional performance of public company auditors in order to ensure that financial statements used for investment decisions are presented fairly and have credibility.

To accomplish OCA"s stated mission, the office is divided primarily into three major groups; Accounting, Professional Practice and International Affairs. These three groups work collaboratively to serve as the principal adviser to the Commission on accounting and auditing matters.

• The Accounting group works closely with domestic private-sector accounting bodies such as the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Registrants, auditors, as well as the Divisions of Corporation Finance, Enforcement and Investment Management regularly consult with the group regarding the application of accounting standards and financial disclosure requirements.
   
• The Professional Practice group works closely with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to develop auditing policies and procedures that promote the development of reliable financial reporting information. This group also manages the resolution of auditor and preparer independence and ethical matters that have been brought to the attention of the Commission.
   
• The International Affairs group works with the Accounting and the Professional Practice groups and international accounting, auditing, and regulatory organizations that share similar financial reporting ives as the Commission.