Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins, on August 18, 2026, said in a statement that he is soliciting candidates to serve as a member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).
He did not explicitly state this, but the first term for board member Steven Laughton expires on October 24.
Laughton was appointed in late January to serve on the board. In the past, the SEC reappointed board members for a second term, but former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton broke precedent by deciding not to offer second terms and replaced all board members after the administration changed.
While it is not guaranteed that Laughton will get a second term, it is likely since he has been in the job for only about six months. In the meantime, the seat will be opened to candidates, and the SEC will go through the formal selection process.
In his statement, Atkins said that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which established the PCAOB, requires that board members be “appointed from among prominent individuals of integrity and reputation who have a demonstrated commitment to the interests of investors and the public, and an understanding of the responsibilities for and nature of the financial disclosures required of issuers under the securities laws and the obligations of accountants with respect to the preparation and issuance of audit reports with respect to such disclosures.”
Of the five board members, Sarbanes-Oxley requires two CPAs, and Laughton occupies a non-CPA seat.
Thus, “only individuals who have never been a certified public accountant are eligible to serve in this seat, which is for a term ending on October 24, 2031,” Atkins said. “I strongly encourage applications from candidates interested in furthering the public interest through the efficient stewardship of PCAOB resources.”
He also said: “Board members play an important role in serving the public interest by helping to protect the integrity of public markets in a manner that minimizes unnecessary costs for the public companies, brokers, and dealers who ultimately fund the PCAOB’s budget.”
The SEC’s Office of the Chief Accountant administers the selection process. Commissioners choose the board members, but the SEC chair ultimately has the most influence as the head of the agency.
Individuals who are interested should submit a cover letter discussing the statutory qualifications and a résumé to boardrecommendations@sec.gov by September 8.
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