Raphael Larson

• Successfully represented audit partner of global accounting firm in PCAOB investigation and subsequent litigated disciplinary proceeding. Achieved complete defense victory before PCAOB hearing officer.
• Successfully defended global accounting firm and one of its senior audit partners in formal PCAOB investigation.
• Defended Big Four international affiliate partners in PCAOB investigation concerning potential independence violations.
• Successfully defended audit partners of a regional accounting firm in PCAOB investigation of multiple audits.
• Defended national accounting firm and an associated international affiliate in PCAOB investigation concerning independence matters.
• Led investigation of Big Four international affiliate’s audits of a major Indonesian cellular company that resulted in charges and sanctions against the international affiliate, the engagement partner and the global firm’s Asia-Pacific Professional Practice Director.
• Successfully litigated and ultimately settled matter involving Big Four audit firm and four of its partners for audit violations in connection with audits of a pharmaceutical company.
• Led the investigation of a Las Vegas-based audit firm that resulted in the first ever Rule 10b-5 charge brought by the PCAOB against an audit firm and audit partner for fraudulently issued audit reports.
• Led investigation and subsequent litigation concerning an audit of water treatment company and its use of transactions with special purpose entities to improperly boost reported revenue resulting in significant sanctions against the audit engagement partner.
• Led investigation of global audit firm’s audit of a software company’s revenue recognition practices resulting in sanctions against the engagement partner and audit manager.

Raphael Larson represents and advises major accounting firms and individual accountants in connection with regulatory matters involving the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), and other US and international governing entities. Raphael has substantial experience representing these firms and accountants on regulatory and enforcement matters, and in federal and state court litigation. He is experienced in both commercial and civil litigation, corporate governance, securities regulation, and due diligence and fraud matters. In addition, he advises companies in financial statement and securities matters.

Raphael spent over 12 years of his career with the PCAOB’s Division of Enforcement & Investigations, most recently serving as Associate Director. While with the PCAOB, he handled numerous enforcement investigations and disciplinary proceedings against accounting firms and auditors, including matters involving Big Four US accounting firms and their global affiliates.