SEC names Beswick acting chief accountant

Paul Beswick, who has worked at the SEC since 2007, was named acting chief accountant. He succeeds James Kroeker, whose last major task as chief accountant was completed Friday, his last day at the SEC. Kroeker’s staff issued its report on IFRS for U.S. public companies, capping a project that began in February 2010.

The SEC’s statement said Beswick had a key role in that effort, serving as staff director. Beswick previously was deputy chief accountant.

“I am delighted to welcome Paul as our acting chief accountant,” SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro said in the release. “Paul’s experience at the Office of the Chief Accountant and his knowledge of the profession will help him to lead the office and continue to counsel the commission on critical accounting questions.”

Before joining the SEC in September 2007, Beswick was a partner with Ernst & Young LLP. He also worked as a practice fellow at FASB from July 2005 to June 2007.

The SEC announced June 20 that Kroeker was stepping down to enter private-sector work. Kroeker had been chief accountant since 2009.

—Neil Amato (namato@aicpa.org) is a JofA senior editor.