Washington- The U.S. Treasury Department today announced that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Ernst & Young will assist the Department in the implementation of the Troubled Asset Relief Program authorized under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. Treasury hired PricewaterhouseCoopers on Thursday and hired Ernst & Young on Saturday.

The firms will help the Department with accounting and internal controls services needed to administer the complex portfolio of troubled assets the Department will purchase, including whole loans and mortgage backed securities. PricewaterhouseCoopers will help the Department establish a sound internal control posture and Ernst & Young will provide general accounting support and expert accounting advice.