The PCAOB During the Youth Stage of Its Regulatory Life Cycle

ABSTRACT On May 19, 2009, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) agreed to hear a challenge to the constitutionality of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). The resulting doubt about the PCAOB’s ability to continue hampered its activities, including recruitment of new Board members. Then, on June 28, 2010, SCOTUS ruled that the PCAOB could continue. Subsequently, the SEC appointed three new board members: Lewis H. Ferguson, Jay D. Hanson, and Chairman James R. Doty. This paper examines how the PCAOB, under the leadership of Chairman Doty, used its powers to regulate the public accounting profession. The Supreme Court ruling in its favor enabled the PCAOB to address broad issues, including the auditor reporting model and naming the engagement partner. The PCAOB also enhanced its international inspection program, reorganized the inspection division, and worked to strengthen audit committees.