PCAOB selects new chief economist and OERA director

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) has appointed Ying Li Compton as its chief economist and director of the Office of Economic and Risk Analysis (OERA).

The OERA conducts independent, data-driven assessments. These insights support PCAOB oversight including inspections, investigations, rulemaking, standard-setting and post-implementation reviews.

Compton joins the PCAOB from PwC International, where she was a managing director advising the global assurance leadership.

She previously served as chief of staff to the PwC US Assurance leader.

Before moving into the private sector, Compton held multiple posts at the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

She was senior accounting and economic advisor to the chief accountant in the Office of the Chief Accountant, having first joined the SEC as a financial economist in the economic and risk analysis division.

Her career also includes time in academia as an assistant professor of accounting at George Washington University and Baruch College.

Compton said: “It is an honour to join the PCAOB and my OERA colleagues, and I look forward to our work together to build on the PCAOB’s reputation for high-quality analysis.”

After the appointment, Erik Durbin will return to his role as deputy chief economist for economic analysis, having served as acting chief economist and acting OERA director since December 2025.

PCAOB chairman Demetrios Logothetis said: “Evidence-based economic and risk analyses are critical to strengthening the PCAOB’s oversight and, by extension, its ability to accomplish its investor-protection mission.

“Dr Compton brings to the PCAOB a strong combination of analytical experience and accounting expertise.

“We thank Erik, both for stepping in as acting director during a transition period and for his continued contributions as an important member of the OERA team.”

Last month, the PCAOB appointed Randy Thornton as its chief operating officer.