The Governmental Accounting Standards Board today announced the appointment of Alan Skelton to the role of director of research and technical activities. Skelton will begin his duties as director with the GASB on April 1, 2021. He replaces David R. Bean, who will retire on March 31, 2021, after serving as the GASB director for more than 30 years.

Skelton has served on the GASB’s advisory group, the Governmental Accounting Standards Advisory Council, since 2015 and as its vice chair since 2018. He was named to the director’s position by GASB Chair Joel Black following a national search that began in September of 2020 and considered more than 30 candidates.
 
“I am thrilled to hear that Alan Skelton will be assuming the role of GASB’s new director of research and technical activities upon David Bean’s retirement in March. Alan has been an extremely valuable resource to NASACT, keeping us apprised of developments in GASB’s standards,” said California State Auditor and NASACT President Elaine Howle. “He has a passion for government accounting, and I know his drive for excellence will serve us well. We will miss David Bean and wish him all the best in retirement.”
 
In the coming weeks, Skelton will step down from his current role as the state accounting officer for the state of Georgia, a position to which he was initially appointed by the governor in 2012. He was reappointed to the role in 2019. As state accounting officer, Mr. Skelton has provided accounting leadership for the state of Georgia, including oversight of statewide financial reporting, issuing accounting policy and application interpretations of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and implementing business process improvements. He served as deputy state accounting officer from 2009—2012 and previously had more than a decade of experience in public accounting, primarily with Ernst & Young.
 
Skelton is a past president of the National Association of State Comptrollers and has been an active participant in the activities of both NASC and NASACT.
 
Skelton earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting and finance at Florida State University. He is a certified public accountant in Georgia.

In his role as GASB director, Skelton will lead the GASB staff and serve as the principal advisor to the GASB chair and Board. The position has a critical leadership function in the overall management of projects on the GASB’s technical, research, and post-implementation review agendas; GASB project-related communications; and interaction and engagement with stakeholders.

NASACT Executive Director Kinney Poynter commented, “NASACT is very pleased that Alan has been named as GASB’s next director of research and technical activities. Alan has represented NASACT in many GASB-related leadership capacities over the years, including being our long-serving representative on the GASAC. Alan brings a unique blend of technical knowledge and practical hands-on experience that will serve him well in this new role.”
 
“I also want to wish Dave Bean all the best in his upcoming retirement and thank him for his many years of outstanding service to the GASB,” Poynter continued. “The contributions he has made during his celebrated career to improve government accounting and financial reporting standards have been long lasting and impactful.”
 
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