SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro has announced the appointment of James Kroeker as the chief accountant in the SEC's Office of Chief Accountant. In this capacity, Kroeker will oversee accounting interpretations, professional practice issues, and international accounting matters. Kroeker replaces Conrad Hewitt, who retired from government service in January 2009.

Kroeker has served as acting chief accountant since January 2009 and guided the day-to-day operations of the SEC's Office of the Chief Accountant during the recent economic crisis. He served as staff director of the SEC's Congressionally mandated study of fair-value accounting standards and has led the efforts of the Office of the Chief Accountant to address the current economic turmoil, including steps to improve off-balance sheet accounting standards.

Kroeker joined the SEC as deputy chief accountant in February 2007 from Deloitte and Touche, where he had been a partner in the firm's National Office Accounting Services Group. At Deloitte, he was responsible for providing consultation and support regarding the implementation, application, communication, and development of accounting standards, including disclosure and reporting matters.