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. He will start in October.

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. He also will advise the chief accountant and the Office on highly complex topics.

Starr 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 with responsibility for the assurance and advisory practices and professional standards among other significant practice areas.