Erik Durbin Named PCAOB’s Acting Chief Economist and Director of Its Office of Economic and Risk Analysis

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) today announced the appointment of Dr. Erik Durbin as the PCAOB's Acting Chief Economist and Director of its Office of Economic and Risk Analysis (OERA). At the PCAOB, OERA conducts independent, evidence-based economic and risk analyses to inform the organization’s oversight activities, including inspections, investigations, rulemaking, standard setting, and post-implementation reviews.

Before being named Acting Chief Economist and OERA Director, Dr. Durbin was OERA’s Deputy Chief Economist, Economic Analysis. Prior to joining the PCAOB in 2024, he served as Section Chief, Consumer and Household Research and Policy, in the Office of Research at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and as a senior economist at the Council of Economic Advisers from 2007 to 2009. He has also worked as an economist at the Federal Trade Commission, as an assistant professor of economics at the Olin School of Business, Washington University in St. Louis, and as an attorney in private practice. Dr. Durbin earned a Ph.D. in economics from Columbia University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

“The work of the Office of Economic and Risk Analysis is critical for the PCAOB and its investor-protection mission, given that sound audit regulation depends on having access to data-driven assessments of how standards and rules impact auditing and, ultimately, the users of financial statements,” said PCAOB Acting Chair George R. Botic. “We are pleased that Erik, as Acting Chief Economist and OERA Director, will help us maintain and enhance the PCAOB’s strong commitment to economic analysis.”

Dr. White joined the PCAOB as a Senior Advisor in OERA in June 2024 and was appointed Acting Chief Economist and OERA Director in May 2025. During his tenure, the PCAOB advanced its efforts to foster rigorous economic research, including hosting two academic conferences that each drew over 100 researchers to Washington. The PCAOB also launched Data Points, an OERA-produced publication series presenting concise, data-driven insights relevant to audits.

Following his departure from the PCAOB, Dr. White will become the Chief Economist and Director of the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

“We thank Josh for all his many contributions at our organization, and we wish him well in his new role at the SEC,” said Acting Chair Botic.

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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 registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including compliance reports filed pursuant to federal securities laws.