“I am delighted and grateful that Lindsay has agreed to serve as the Division’s Chief Accountant,” said Bill Hinman, director of the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance. “Lindsay has long been recognized for her leadership and practice skills. Her energy and dedication will serve the Division well as we continue our important work to facilitate capital formation and protect investors.”

The SEC said that, since her appointment as acting chief accountant, McCord has led the division's work in monitoring COVID-19-related disclosures by companies as well as worked to provide targeted regulatory relief and guidance on financial statement and other requirements. She also led the division’s work to assist companies as they prepare to comply with the Commission’s changes to Rules 3-05, 3-14, and Article 11 of Regulation S-X.

“I am honored by the opportunity to continue to work in this role with the talented and dedicated professionals in the Division and across the agency to support the Division’s work and the Commission’s mission," said McCord.

In other SEC news, the agency also announced the departure of Steven Peikin, who had been serving as the co-director of the Division of Enforcement alongside Stephanie Avakian. Upon leaving on Aug. 14, Avakian will remain the director.

“Under the leadership of Steve Peikin and Stephanie Avakian, our Enforcement Division has increased its efficiency, flexibility, and impact.” said SEC Chairman Jay Clayton.  “Their investor-first efforts have resulted in thousands of actions that have righted wrongs and, more importantly, both returned illicit gains to harmed investors and eliminated improper fees, providing lasting savings for years to come.  Further, the efforts of the women and men in the Division to promptly address COVID-19 related misconduct demonstrate the flexibility, expertise and commitment to our mission that Steve and Stephanie’s leadership has fostered across the SEC.”

Under the two co-directors, the Enforcement Division redoubled its focus on the needs of retail investors and, at the same time, continued to police the broad landscape of the securities markets and vigorously pursue securities law violators. Through their actions, the SEC obtained judgments and orders totaling over $13.5 billion in disgorgement and penalties, and returned more than $3.1 billion to harmed investors.

“Serving as Co-Director of the Division of Enforcement has been an incredible honor, and I am immensely grateful to Chairman Clayton for his confidence in me, for giving me the opportunity to again serve the public, and for his unwavering support of vigorous enforcement of the federal securities laws,” said Peikin. “I am tremendously proud of the accomplishments of the women and men of the Division of Enforcement, whose knowledge, expertise, and dedication to protecting investors and preserving market integrity inspired and impressed me every day. It has been a privilege to serve among them.”