Regulators are edging closer to switching U.S. companies to global accounting rules, as the Securities and Exchange Commission's top accountant suggested Monday he was moving toward recommending a long-discussed compromise approach.

International authorities are pushing the SEC to move U.S. companies to use the global rules, known as International Financial Reporting Standards, to unify companies world-wide under the same accounting system. American corporations are watching intently for a recommendation from the SEC's staff...