A clear out of the top officials at the PCAOB by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has resulted in appointment of retired Big Four partner, Demetrios (Jim) Logothetis, as head of US audit regulator. This follows the resignation of Erica Williams as PCAOB chair in July 2025 after a turbulent period.
This is the first time a Big Four partner has taken the top job, indicating that there will be a sharp change of direction at the US auditor, which has ramped up investigation activity in the last five years.
Chairman of the SEC, Paul S Atkins, said the overhaul of the PCAOB regulator ‘will usher in a new day at the PCAOB - one of sensible, efficient oversight of auditors’.
He also referenced inflated salaries at the regulator, noting: ‘The newly appointed chairman and board members have already demonstrated a profound commitment to protecting investors and responsible use of such funds by accepting compensation much more in line with the ethos of public service.’
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