WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced today that Kathy K. Murphy has been named Chief Accountant for the OCC.

Ms. Murphy succeeds Zane Blackburn, who recently retired. She will report to Timothy W. Long, Senior Deputy Comptroller. In her new position, Ms. Murphy will serve as the OCC’s authoritative source for bank accounting and financial reporting, providing accounting counsel to examiners, the banking industry, and the accounting profession.

“Kathy is best positioned to provide the future leadership for our accounting group, and to significantly contribute to my senior management team,” said Mr. Long.

Ms. Murphy joined the OCC in 2002 after serving in public accounting with two large national accounting firms. While in public accounting, she focused on financial services and technology clients with an emphasis on Securities and Exchange Commission Initial Public Offerings and SEC filings. For the past four years, she has served as the Deputy Chief Accountant. In her role as Deputy Chief Accountant, Mr. Long added that “Kathy’s development of the revised interagency allowance for loan and lease losses policy statement has contributed substantially to the safety and soundness of banking.”

Ms. Murphy graduated Cum Laude from the University of Maryland with a bachelor of accountancy and finance degrees. She is also a Certified Public Accountant, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Women in Housing and Finance.