PwC's top US audit leader is backing efforts to reform accountant licensing requirements by swapping college credit hours for more on-the-job experience.

Developing the Big Four firm's roster of auditors and recruiting newcomers from a shrinking pool of candidates is a top priority for Deanna Byrne, who took the job as the firm's assurance leader in July. She spoke about her goals for the US audit practice in a wide-ranging interview with Bloomberg Tax this week. Other top objectives include enhancing audit quality and expanding the firm's work vetting the reliability of clients' sustainability reporting and use of artificial ...