The Next Chief Accountant Will Be Building a Better Working World at the SEC

Yes, we know EY’s tagline is now All In.

Announced on Thursday, the SEC’s next chief accountant — effective July 7 — will be Kurt Hohl, a former EY partner who put in four years in audit at Deloitte after graduation before jumping there in 1989. This won’t be his first rodeo at the SEC.

The CV, courtesy a press release:

Mr. Hohl most recently founded Corallium Advisors, which helps businesses navigate the complexities of auditing, regulatory compliance, risk management, and initial public offerings. Before that, he spent 26 years as a partner at Ernst & Young (EY) in a variety of roles. His final EY role was as global deputy vice-chair of EY’s Global Assurance Professional Practice. In that role he was responsible for the operation and oversight of the technical, regulatory, risk, and quality oversight functions of EY’s global professional practice organization — a team of more than 1,400 professionals. Mr. Hohl previously served at the SEC from 1989 to 1997, rising to Associate Chief Accountant in the Division of Corporation Finance. There he authored what became the Financial Reporting Manual, a primary guide for the SEC accounting staff and practitioners in the application of the federal securities laws. He began his professional career at Deloitte Haskins & Sells.

Mr. Hohl received a B.B.S. in accounting from James Madison University and is a certified public accountant in Virginia.

Guaranteed that guy will have a bulldog on his desk, those JMU people are zealous when it comes to their alma mater. Let’s give his long LinkedIn about section a look:

I am a firm believer that change is constant and adaptability is critical to success. My career has focused on anticipating and addressing emerging business trends and risks, continually evolving regulatory changes and organizational challenges with a strong global mindset. From my early professional start as the Associate Chief Accountant at the US Securities and Exchange to my latest role as EY’s Global Deputy Vice Chair – Professional Practice, I’ve gained over 39 years of technical accounting, audit, risk management, sustainability, financial reporting, public policy, and regulatory expertise. My role operates at the highest level of a $50B organization, operating in 150 countries, where I am trusted to identify critical issues and enable key decision-making during periods of unprecedented global change, uncertainty, and economic volatility.

My leadership approach is rooted in authenticity, collaboration, and pragmatism. I believe we are better together, and that success is fostered through cultivating diverse, high-performance teams and mentoring the next generation of leaders. Beyond work, I am a passionate amateur chef, historian, gardener, car enthusiast and collector with a deep commitment to continuous learning and expansion of knowledge.

For industry experience he lists:

• Consumer Products
• Energy & Utilities
• Financial Services
• Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
• Industrials
• Media & Entertainment
• Real Estate
• Retail
• Technology
• Telecommunications
• Aerospace & Defense

“I’m pleased to come back to the SEC along with Chairman Atkins,” said Hohl in the obligatory press release quote. “This is a pivotal time for our capital markets, and I look forward to working with the dedicated public servants in the Office of the Chief Accountant to advance accounting and auditing policies that reinforce investor confidence, enhance transparency, and support innovation.”

With the chief accountant appointment sorted, Acting Chief Accountant Ryan Wolfe will go back to his role as Chief Accountant in the Division of Enforcement.