Washington, D.C., Sept. 3, 2008 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the appointment of Paul A. Beswick as Deputy Chief Accountant for Professional Practice in the agency's Office of the Chief Accountant. Previously, Mr. Beswick served as a senior advisor to the SEC's Chief Accountant.
As Deputy Chief Accountant, Mr. Beswick will play a key role in nearly all aspects of the Commission's work related to overseeing the activities of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), managing the resolution of audit independence issues and ethical matters, and monitoring audit and independence standard-setting internationally.
"The SEC and America's investors will benefit from Paul's diverse background, experience and commitment to high quality audits and financial reporting," said Conrad Hewitt, SEC Chief Accountant.
Mr. Beswick added, "I am honored by this opportunity, and look forward to continuing to work with my dedicated and talented colleagues in the Office of Chief Accountant on behalf of the investing public."
Prior to joining the SEC staff, Mr. Beswick was a Partner with Ernst & Young LLP, where he worked in the firm's Professional Practice and Risk Management Group. Mr. Beswick previously served as a practice fellow at the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) from July 2005 through June 2007.
Mr. Beswick is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.