Helen A. Munter Named Director of the Division of Registration and Inspections

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board today announced Helen A. Munter as the new Director of the Division of Registration and Inspections.

Ms. Munter will oversee the PCAOB's largest operating division, which conducts regular periodic inspections of hundreds of registered public accounting firms located all over the world.

"I am pleased that Helen has accepted this important position. As Director, Helen will play a crucial role in monitoring and improving the quality of audits subject to PCAOB oversight," said PCAOB Chairman James R. Doty. "The investing public will benefit from her deep experience in conducting inspections and her strong commitment to the PCAOB's mission."

"I am honored to lead the Division of Registration and Inspections. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with George Diacont and with such talented Inspections staff in the field conducting inspections during the last seven years at the PCAOB. I look forward to working with the Board and Division staff in my new role as we continue our important work of protecting investors," said Ms. Munter.

Ms. Munter joined the PCAOB in 2004 as the Regional Director for the San Mateo office, and became Deputy Director in 2008. During this time, Ms. Munter led some of the Division's largest inspections. Under her leadership, her inspection teams identified numerous accounting and auditing problems and encouraged firms to make appropriate improvements to protect investors' interests in reliable audits.

Prior to joining the PCAOB, Ms. Munter was an Audit Partner and Deputy Director of Professional Practice in the San Francisco office of Deloitte and Touche LLP. She worked for Deloitte in the San Francisco and Barcelona, Spain, offices.

Ms. Munter received a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley. She is a certified public accountant, licensed in California.

Ms. Munter will assume the position of the Director of the Division of Registration and Inspections on March 1, 2011, when Mr. Diacont retires.