Public Company Accounting Oversight Board chair Erica Williams was sworn in by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Thursday for her second term, beginning Oct. 25, 2024 and running through Oct. 24, 2029.
Williams began her first term in January 2022, months after SEC chair Gary Gensler effectively ousted three board members following criticism of the PCAOB's lack of regulation activity. Since she took the helm, Williams and her fellow board members have cracked down on audit firms with tougher inspections and more penalties, and made progress on updating outdated PCAOB standards.
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Prior to leading the PCAOB, Williams was a litigation partner with Kirkland & Ellis LLP and worked in different roles with the SEC.
"I am honored and excited for the opportunity to continue working alongside my fellow board members and the talented and committed PCAOB staff to protect investors," Williams said in a statement after her swearing in. "I am proud of our work together and eager to continue executing our mission on behalf of investors who depend on U.S. capital markets to build their American dream. I want to again thank Chair Gensler and Commissioners Peirce, Crenshaw, Uyeda, and Lizárraga for this incredible responsibility, and I look forward to continuing this important work."
Williams spent 11 years at the SEC as deputy chief of staff for three SEC chairs and assistant chief litigation counsel in the SEC's Division of Enforcement trial unit. Following that, she worked as special assistant and associate counsel to President Obama.
"I thank Erica for her leadership and am pleased that she will continue to serve as Chairperson of the PCAOB," Gensler said in a statement after her reappointment
