The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that Scott A. Taub, Deputy Chief Accountant in the Office of the Chief Accountant, will leave the Commission later this year. Mr. Taub played a key role in the Commission's implementation of the accounting reforms under the landmark Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Chief Accountant, including resolution of accounting and auditing practice issues, rulemaking, oversight of private sector standard-setting efforts, and regulation of auditors.
"The Office will miss Scott's tremendous talents and invaluable insight, and I regret not having the pleasure to work with Scott for a longer period of time," said Conrad Hewitt, the Commission's Chief Accountant. "America's investors and capital markets have truly benefited from Scott's many accomplishments in public service at the agency."
Mr. Taub said, "I have greatly enjoyed working at the SEC, and working with the extremely talented people at the agency. The mission of the agency and of the Office of the Chief Accountant is vitally important to investors and I am proud to have been a part of it."
Mr. Taub returned to the Office of the Chief Accountant to serve as a Deputy Chief Accountant for the Commission in September 2002, and helped bring about improvements in many areas of accounting and financial reporting. He served as Chair of the Accounting and Disclosure Standing Committee of the International Organization of Securities Commissions. Mr. Taub also served as Acting Chief Accountant for nine months.
Prior to serving as Deputy Chief Accountant, Mr. Taub, 38, spent most of career with Arthur Andersen. He joined Andersen after graduating from the University of Michigan in 1990. Mr. Taub was also a Professional Accounting Fellow in the Office of the Chief Accountant between 1999 and 2001.
Mr. Taub has not yet determined where he will continue his career, but he intends to continue working to improve financial reporting.
