James Schnurr

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James V. Schnurr (1951-2019) was a prominent American accountant who served as the chief accountant at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). His tenure at the SEC was marked by significant contributions to the field of accounting and financial regulation.
== Early Career and Education ==
=== Early Life and Education ===
James Schnurr received his undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross and later earned an MBA from Rutgers University.
=== Career at Deloitte LLP ===
Schnurr began his career at Deloitte LLP in 1975. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, becoming a partner in 1985. His expertise in financial and SEC reporting for public companies made him a valuable asset to the firm. From 1994 to 2002, Schnurr served as a senior partner for mergers and acquisition services, where he provided due diligence and structuring advice on over 100 transactions for both strategic and financial buyers and sellers.
In 2002, Schnurr was appointed deputy managing partner of Deloitte’s professional practice, a role in which he was responsible for quality control and risk management of the firm’s audit and advisory services until 2009. He then became vice chairman and senior national professional practice director, specializing in financial and SEC reporting, until his retirement in 2014.
=== SEC Tenure ===
Schnurr was appointed as the Chief Accountant of the SEC in October 2014, succeeding Paul Beswick. His appointment was part of the SEC's effort to strengthen its accounting oversight and regulatory functions. As chief accountant, Schnurr was responsible for leading the Commission's Office of the Chief Accountant, which oversees accounting and auditing policy matters and works to improve the quality of financial reporting and auditing.
During his tenure, Schnurr focused on several key areas, including the implementation of new accounting standards, enhancing auditor independence, and improving the transparency and reliability of financial statements. He was known for his commitment to establishing and enforcing high standards in financial reporting.
Schnurr was replaced on an interim basis by Deputy Chief Accountant Wesley R. Bricker in July of 2016 after being seriously injured in a bicycle accident in April of that year. He would leave the SEC in November to continue his rehabilitation from the injury.
=== Contributions and Legacy ===
Throughout his career, Schnurr served on various working and advisory groups of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). His contributions to these organizations helped shape the landscape of financial reporting and auditing standards in the United States.
Schnurr was known for his calm and forthright communication style, which earned him respect among colleagues, regulators, and clients. His ability to analyze complex transactions and explain them in layman's terms was a hallmark of his professional approach. His retirement marked the end of a significant period of leadership within the SEC's accounting division. Schnurr's contributions to the SEC and the accounting profession were widely recognized and respected.
== References ==	
Category:Government Officials
Category:U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission - Former Employees
Category:Deceased
Category:Accountants