UK Watchdog Appoints Ex-EY Partner as Local Authority Audit Head

The UK’s accounting watchdog continues to expand its role in expectation that much-delayed audit reform will go ahead, announcing on Wednesday a boss for its new post overseeing local government audits.

The Financial Reporting Council said that Neil Harris, a former Ernst & Young LLP partner, would be its first director of local audit, a new position. The UK government wants the accounting watchdog to take direct charge of local government audits, which are currently monitored by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, an industry body.

• The government has said that it will act on a ...