Francis "Abe" Dymond Named Chief of Staff for the PCAOB

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board announced today that Chairman William D. Duhnke III has named Francis "Abe" Dymond chief of staff for the PCAOB, effective immediately.

Mr. Dymond will advise the Board on all matters that come before the PCAOB, work closely with Board members and staff, and assist the chairman in his management and administration of the PCAOB.

"Abe's experience and talent will be invaluable to me in fulfilling the Board's mission to protect investors and promote public trust in quality audits," said Chairman Duhnke. "His background in management, legal practice, government service, and the assurance profession will serve all the new members of the Board well as we work together to provide effective leadership in global audit regulation."

Previously, Mr. Dymond was special counsel to Board Member Jeanette M. Franzel. During that service, he assisted Board Member Franzel as she advanced, among other initiatives, the PCAOB's use of research and analyses; relationship with academia; outreach to audit committees; and focus on audit quality indicators and audit firm quality control systems.

"I am honored that Chairman Duhnke has asked me to serve the Board in this capacity, and look forward to working closely with my colleagues to carry out the PCAOB's responsibilities and protect the interests of investors," said Mr. Dymond.

Prior to joining the PCAOB in 2012, Mr. Dymond served as assistant general counsel and assistant director for auditing at the Government Accountability Office. He led audit and review engagements related to federal agency financial management and their programs.

He provided legal counsel for a wide range of federal financial management and auditing issues, assisted the U.S. Congress in its oversight role, and provided advice to the comptroller general on government auditing standards. He also served as general counsel to the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board, which promulgates accounting standards for the federal government.

Before joining GAO in 2002, Mr. Dymond served on active duty in the U.S. Army as a judge advocate, a military lawyer, at various international and domestic posts, serving in various capacities including military prosecutor, special assistant U. S. attorney, contracts and fiscal attorney, and administrative lawyer. He earned a B.A. from Ripon College, a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law, an MBA from the University of Minnesota, and an LL.M. from The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School of the U.S. Army.