STAFF ACCOUNTANT
The Broker-Dealer and Exchange Examination Program within the Division of Examinations is hiring multiple positions in the following locations: Chicago, IL, Denver, CO, Miami, FL, New York, NY, and Washington, DC.
If selected, you will join a team in the Division of Examinations responsible for conducting examinations of broker-dealers, national securities exchanges, transfer agents, municipal advisors, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation.
Typical Duties Include:
- Working as a member of a team of examiners with various levels of experience and professional backgrounds to conduct examinations.
- Evaluating possible risks to investors and the financial markets of registered securities-related financial institutions' business models and practices based on review and analysis, through modern quantitative techniques when possible, of information reported by the institutions to the SEC and other internal and external data sources.
- Executing risk-based examination plans, which frequently involves: (i) analyzing a financial institution's operations and procedures, sales practices, supervisory systems, books and records, and financial statements, (ii) reviewing investigatory complaints, (iii) investigating new financial products, (iv) examining specialized securities, (v) interviewing principals of registrants, and/or (vi) analyzing performance calculations to assess the level of compliance with federal securities laws and/or self-regulatory requirements.
- Provide technical advice and assistance in the areas of accounting principles and standards, evaluate internal control processes, and perform complex and difficult assignments supporting the mission of the Division of Examinations program.
You must be a US Citizen.
BASIC REQUIREMENT: Applicant must possess:
- Degree: accounting; or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law. (The term "accounting" means "accounting and/or auditing" in this standard. Similarly, "accountant" should be interpreted, generally, as "accountant and/or auditor.")
or
- Combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of experience in accounting, or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge. The applicant's background must also include one of the following:
- Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law;
- A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or
- Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing, e.g., 15 semester hours, but that does not fully satisfy the 24-semester-hour requirement of paragraph A, provided that (a) the applicant has successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field, e.g., valuation engineering or financial institution examining; (b) a panel of at least two higher level professional accountants or auditors has determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and level of advancement that which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in paragraph A; and (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must also meet the minimum qualification requirement
SK-12: Applicant must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-11 level performing at least two of the following functions: 1) Participating in examinations, investigations, audits or internal compliance reviews of securities-related financial institutions such as broker-dealers, municipal advisors, national securities exchanges, transfer agents, investment advisers, investment companies, or clearing agencies; 2) Analyzing large data sets to identify risks within the financial industry; 3) Assisting with the review of procedures, practices, or records related to the issuance, distribution, and/or trading of securities; or 4) Applying public accounting and auditing standards such as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
SK-13: Applicant must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-12 level performing at least three of the following functions: 1) Performing examinations, investigations, audits, or internal compliance reviews of securities-related financial institutions such as broker-dealers, municipal advisors, national securities exchanges, transfer agents, investment advisers, investment companies, or clearing agencies; 2) Developing and implementing tests of internal controls or internal risk management programs (such as enterprise or operational risk management); 3) Applying forensic accounting techniques and analyses to financial, operational, or securities industry data; 4) Performing reviews of procedures, practices, and records related to the issuance, distribution, and/or trading of securities; 5) Engaging in securities trading, portfolio management, or investment management or performing investment analysis or management of securities; or 6) Applying public accounting and auditing standards such as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).