Carol A. Der Garry has 35 years of professional experience as a certified public accountant in forensic investigations, auditing and accounting. She held a leadership role within the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Division of Enforcement and also worked at the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Enforcement Division. Carol also has in-house experience at a public company and as an auditor at international accounting firms.
Carol has extensive experience conducting investigations involving complex auditing, accounting and internal control over financial reporting matters regarding possible violations of professional standards and PCAOB and SEC regulations. She has worked with outside counsel in internal investigations, SEC enforcement matters and litigation.
Carol’s practice focuses on accountant and auditor liability matters, including assessing complex accounting and auditing issues and auditor conduct in SEC and PCAOB enforcement matters, internal investigations, complex accounting and financial reporting projects, accounting restatements, and the application of US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). She also analyzes compliance with PCAOB auditing standards, including quality control and independence standards. She has worked with outside counsel on multi-national regulatory investigations, SEC enforcement matters and litigation, and has served as an expert witness for the SEC.
Prior to joining FRA, Carol was an Associate Director at the PCAOB and was the lead accountant on high-profile investigations, including those involving international accounting firms and their former partners. She worked closely with the PCAOB Office of General Counsel, the Office of the Chief Auditor, and the SEC Enforcement Division, and coordinated regularly with foreign regulators.
While at PCAOB, Carol was awarded the PCAOB Superior Achievement Award, Division Director’s Award, Division International Case Result Award, Division Special Project Award and Division Citizenship Award. Carol earned masters’ degrees in Accounting and Business and Public Management, both from Rice University. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Association of Securities and Exchange Commission Alumni.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Conducted investigations on behalf of the PCAOB and SEC regarding PCAOB auditing standards and rules and SEC regulations
- Served as expert for the SEC
- Investigated accounting improprieties, Ponzi schemes, financial fraud, and accountant malpractice
- Worked closely with the FBI and IRS’s criminal division on certain SEC investigations
- Assisted in preparing expert report included in Wells submissions for auditors in defense of SEC enforcement matter
- Led teams working on restatements
- Directed audits of privately held and publicly traded companies’ financial statements