FASB Postgraduate Technical Assistant

The Financial Accounting Standards Board sponsors a postgraduate technical assistant program for individuals who are planning a career with an emphasis in accounting. The program is a one-year term, during which the individual becomes highly involved with the accounting standards-setting process and comes to have an in-depth understanding of the roles played by preparers, auditors, and users of financial information.

Position Responsibilities:

A. Technical Research and Analysis

1. Postgraduate Technical Assistants will be assigned to major agenda projects, short-term practice and implementation issues, and/or post implementation review issues, depending on the need for staff assistance. Postgraduate Technical Assistants will be involved in all phases of their assigned projects, including analyzing written submissions received on documents issued for public comment, reviewing and analyzing published research, preparing memorandums on technical issues for Board member' information, drafting due process documents, and evaluating accounting proposals of other organizations. Additionally, Postgraduate Technical Assistants will attend and participate in public Board meetings, nonpublic small group meetings with Board members, advisory group meetings, roundtables, and other outreach meetings pertinent to their projects.
2. Postgraduate Technical Assistants will maintain and update project team online libraries in SharePoint, including metadata assignment and cataloging to ensure firm-wide searchability and accessibility. Additionally, Postgraduate Technical Assistants will digitally log interactions with constituents by topical area such that information is available for use in analysis by current and future project teams.

B. Planning and Completion of Work

1. Complete assigned tasks, activities, projects in the time allotted. Promptly notify direct project report of any delays.
2. Comply with project management policies and procedures described in the RTA Reference manual and Rules of Procedure, including interaction with FAF support functions.

C. Communications

1. Participate in the discussion at small group meetings and Board meetings
2. Assist in drafting Board material
3. Update project communications in accordance with the project communication guidelines included in the Reference Manual.
4. Assist with basic research in response to Technical Inquiries from outside constituents
5. Speak to former college's graduate and/or undergraduate accounting classes about the Postgraduate Technical Assistant Program.

D. Other Accountabilities

1. Other assignments may include providing feedback on new Postgraduate Technical Assistant candidates and assisting Human Resources with the coordination of the schedule of candidates on interview days.
2. Additional assignments may include assisting the Planning and Control Manager with certain administrative/non-project related matters.

Essential Skills and Experience:

1. Project Management

Ability to meet reasonable deadlines

1. Technical Knowledge and Analytical Skills

Candidates must be nominated by a member of their schools' accounting department and must be a recent graduate or about to graduate from either a master's in accounting or a double major. Candidates must have the following:

• An outstanding academic record
• Completed course work that provides a thorough knowledge of accounting theory and practice.
• Strong interest in the theoretical aspects of accounting
• Critical thinking skills and creativity
• Strong oral and written communication skills, in particular superior writing ability is essential
• Experience with personal computers; specifically, Microsoft Office and other various types of software, hardware and the nature and degree of exposure

1. Personal Characteristics

Ability to work in a team-oriented environment

Possess strong time management skills, and able to prioritize multiple assignments

Maturity, motivation and leadership

Career interest in Financial Reporting preferred.

1. Job Related Experience Required

Previous exposure to internships in either accounting, assurance, or auditing preferred.