Erica Y. Williams Sworn in as PCAOB Chair

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) announced that Erica Y. Williams today was sworn in as Chair. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) conducted the swearing-in ceremony virtually.

“In our dynamic and evolving capital markets, the PCAOB’s mission to protect investors and further the public interest is extremely important,” said Chair Williams. “I am honored to take up this mission and to lead this organization’s dedicated, talented staff. Together, we have an extraordinary opportunity to build trust through robust oversight and engagement.”

Appointed by the SEC on November 8, 2021, Chair Williams’ initial term will run through October 24, 2024.

Chair Williams joins the PCAOB from Kirkland & Ellis LLP, where she was a litigation partner. Previously, she was a Special Assistant and Associate Counsel to President Barack Obama, advising the president and his senior advisors on legal and constitutional issues involving economic policy, financial regulation and reform, financial technology, trade, intellectual property, and data protection and privacy.

Before that, Chair Williams spent 11 years at the SEC serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for three chairs. In this role, she oversaw all aspects of the SEC’s operations and served as a senior legal advisor to the SEC chair on regulatory policy and rulemakings, enforcement, compliance examinations, agency management and strategy.

Earlier in her career, Chair Williams served as Assistant Chief Litigation Counsel in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement Trial Unit, where she investigated and litigated numerous complex, high-profile matters. Chair Williams earned both a J.D. and a B.A. from the University of Virginia.

“On behalf of all of my PCAOB colleagues, I offer sincere thanks to Board Member DesParte for his steady leadership as Acting Chairperson,” added Chair Williams. “I look forward to working with Duane and my other fellow Board members as we continue the critical work of the PCAOB.”

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About the PCAOB

The PCAOB is a nonprofit corporation established by Congress to oversee the audits of public companies in order to protect investors and further the public interest in the preparation of informative, accurate, and independent audit reports. The PCAOB also oversees the audits of brokers and dealers, including compliance reports filed pursuant to federal securities laws.

Contact

PCAOB Office of Communications and Engagement
[email protected]