The Securities and Exchange Commission has appointed J.W. "Mike" Starr as deputy chief accountant for policy support and market monitoring in the agency's Office of the Chief Accountant.
In this role, Starr will serve as the chief accountant's liaison on projects and activities to improve the quality of accounting and auditing policy decisions and to identify and address potential financial reporting weaknesses and risks. Starr also will advise the chief accountant and his office on highly complex topics.
"Mike has a depth and breadth of experience and proven leadership abilities that uniquely position him to immediately contribute to the work of the Office and the Commission," said SEC Chief Accountant Jim Kroeker in a statement. "His background, judgment and understanding of the important role financial reporting plays in the functioning of our capital markets make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. I am pleased that he is willing to serve in this challenging role."
"I am honored to work with the staff of the Office of the Chief Accountant and other divisions and offices in the SEC to identify issues or risks related to financial reporting and proactively recommend improvements to address them, said Starr. I look forward to engaging with investors, business, and the accounting profession and collaborating closely with national regulators and standards setters around the world to understand what they are experiencing in the global marketplace. Close collaboration and cooperation with national regulators and standards setters is especially critical to accomplishing the SEC's mandate to protect investors."
Starr, 63, will start at the SEC next month. He previously served as the chief operating officer for Grant Thornton International, where he played a key role in implementing the global strategy and oversaw public policy and other critical functions. He was previously a member of the senior leadership of Grant Thornton LLP with responsibility for the assurance and advisory practices and professional standards among other significant practice areas.
Starr has been a member of several AICPA committees and chair of the Special Committee on Enhanced Business Reporting and the Assurance Services Executive Committee. He was also a member of the Global Public Policy Committee and chair of its Regulatory Working Group. In addition, he served on the Nasdaq Hearing and Review Listing Council, the Illinois State Board of CPAs, and the board of XBRL US.
