The Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) is seeking a distinguished leader to serve as Chair of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), with a term starting July 1, 2027, and ending June 30, 2034.
The GASB Chair leads a team dedicated to developing high-quality accounting and financial reporting standards for U.S. state and local governments and works in close partnership with the FAF and a broad array of stakeholders. This is a senior and highly visible appointment requiring a strong working knowledge of current GASB standards, distinguished technical governmental accounting expertise, leadership ability, strong communication skills, and experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders. This role is a full-time, senior leadership role based in Norwalk, Connecticut.
GASB is a standard-setting Board of the FAF and its authority for establishing generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) has been recognized under the Rules of Conduct of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as through legislation in many states that require compliance with GASB standards. GASB’s mission is to establish and improve standards of state and local governmental accounting and financial reporting that will result in useful information for users of financial reports, and to guide and educate the public.
Candidate Selection Criteria
Candidates must demonstrate experience with the national scope of state and local government financial accounting and reporting issues at a senior level (for example, CFO/finance director of a local government or comptroller or auditor of state government); public accountant at the senior partner level with substantive experience in audits of state/local government financial reports; senior investment leader with knowledge of and experience in municipal securities markets and related financial reporting; or a senior executive (such as a president or CEO) or board chair or senior member of a nationally recognized state/local government organization or a municipal markets regulatory body, among other criteria.
They also must have a strong and current technical understanding of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for state and local governments, with a CPA viewed as highly desirable; experience or strong interest in standard setting or financial regulatory matters, with proven success in building strong relationships with regulatory bodies; demonstrated thought leadership and intellectual capacity, curiosity, rigor, and engagement; proven success in attracting and retaining top talent and leading a talented and dedicated professional staff; and a commitment to the GASB’s Mission.
Major Responsibilities
Leadership/External Focus – Act as the principal public spokesperson for the GASB across its full range of constituencies and ensure that stakeholders’ concerns and issues are heard and considered, which requires extensive travel.
Forward Planning – Lead the overall strategic direction and activities of the GASB and provide the leadership to inspire teamwork where colleagues and staff excel in the achievement of the GASB’s mission.
Technology – Maintain a strong awareness of new and emerging technologies and trends and thoughtfully assess their potential impact on or enhancement of the work conducted by the GASB.
Strategic Partnership – Serve, along with the FAF Executive Director and FASB Chair, as a member of a leadership and stewardship team for the combined GASB, FASB and FAF organization, fostering a tone at the top of collaboration, communication, and commitment to excellence in the achievement of the organization’s mission. Build, maintain, and strengthen constructive relationships with all of the GASB’s extensive and varied stakeholders.
Process Stewardship – Critically evaluate the processes by which the GASB conducts its work and oversee changes as necessary. Serve as one of seven active participants in the GASB process. Steer a diverse group of strong-minded individuals toward a majority Board decision. Manage in an orderly and constructive manner the process by which the Board develops and states its position on financial accounting and reporting issues. Address and balance a wide range of state and local governmental sensitivities.
The GASB Chair is the only full-time GASB member. The successful candidate will be appointed to single term of seven years commencing July 1, 2027. There is a standard, attractive salary for this full-time position. Expenses are reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket costs directly associated with GASB membership, in accordance with FAF policies. Candidates will also be expected to comply with the FAF’s “Policies in Respect of Investments and Other Personal Activities of Board Members and Board Staff Directors”. The full recruitment brochure is available at GovHRjobs.com.
To apply for consideration, interested individuals should submit a resume and cover letter and/or CV to the attention of Charlene Stevens, MGT Vice President, and/or Maureen Barry, MGT Senior Consultant, at www.GovHRjobs.com by May 15, 2026.
The Financial Accounting Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
GovHRUSA is a certified woman-owned business that provides comprehensive executive recruitment, interim staffing, human resources consulting and organizational analysis consulting services for local governments, intergovernmental organizations, school districts as well as other governmental and non-profit entities. GovHRUSA consultants have worked in all areas of local government leadership including city/county management, human resources, public safety, finance, public works, parks and recreation, and utilities. This combined hands-on knowledge and experience have made GovHRUSA a proven leader in public sector consulting.
