Career moves

Weaver and Tidwell’s longtime managing partner, W. M. “Mack” Lawhon, is stepping aside after nearly a quarter century at the helm.

ALABAMA

Syracuse accountant David Moynihan has taken the reins as the new president of the New York State Society of CPAs.

Tax and accounting information publisher BNA has appointed a new chief information officer, established a new product research and development unit headed by a new chief product officer, and appointed six vice presidents.

CALIFORNIA

The Internal Revenue Service is looking for civic-minded volunteers to serve on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel, which listens to taxpayers, identifies key issues and makes recommendations for improving IRS service.

Business intelligence products and applications provider Prophix Software has named Cheryl Power to the post of director of channel partners.

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary Schapiro has been under pressure not to appoint a leading critic of International Financial Reporting Standards as a permanent chief accountant, according to a former official who filled that post.

Freddie Mac CEO David Moffett has submitted his resignation after running the troubled housing lender since only last September.

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s chief auditor and director of professional standards, Thomas Ray, has resigned and plans to return to the private sector on March 6.

The American Institute of CPAs’ board of directors has extended Barry Melancon’s term as president and CEO for another five years.

As expected, the Senate approved Mary Schapiro by a unanimous vote as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Schapiro, who has a reputation as a tough-minded regulator, noted during the confirmation process that she planned to ramp up enforcement efforts at the SEC. She also proposed rethinking the current roadmap to U.S. adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, and expressed concerns about the resources and independence of the International Accounting Standards Board, which sets IFRS.She was formerly chief executive of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the securities industry's self-regulating body.

Big Four firm Ernst & Young named former Bear Stearns and Washington Mutual executive Michael Solender as its Americas vice chair and general counsel, effective February 24.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has appointed former Public Company Accounting Oversight Board member Kayla Gillan as senior advisor to new Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Mary Schapiro, effective immediately.

The Financial Accounting Foundation has chosen John J. Brennan, chairman of mutual fund giant Vanguard Group, as its new chairman and a member of its board of trustees.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has appointed Robert Malhotra as a senior advisor in the SEC’s Office of the Chief Accountant.

Cougar Mountain Software has appointed Chuck Gossett as the accounting software company’s new president and CEO, succeeding his father.

KPMG has named John Veihmeyer as the new CEO of its U.S. member firm, KPMG LLP, as Timothy Flynn assumes the role of chairman of KPMG International’s newly formed Global Executive Team.

Former H&R Block Chairman and CEO Mark Ernst has taken a job with the Internal Revenue Service as deputy commissioner for operations support.

Steve Tait, president of H&R Block's accounting subsidiary RSM McGladrey, plans to resign, effective April 30.