The Register of Recognized Auditors was updated on 6 March 2025.
The AOA starts the registration of auditors.
Michael Austin, who has served as the AOA's Chairman since its inception, retired effective 3 May 2022. Alister Mason, the present Deputy Chairman, will act as chairman.
Glen Wigney has been appointed as a director effective 22 November 2021 to serve through 3 May 2022.
Michael Austin has been reappointed as the Chairman and Alister Mason has been reappointed as a director, also assuming the role as Deputy Chairman.
Don Cockburn, who has served as the AOA's Managing Director since December 2013, has retired. From 1 October 2019, Paul Anderton assumed the role of acting Managing Director effective 1 October 2019.
PwC has withdrawn from the Register of Recognized Auditors; the effective date of the withdrawal was 10 May 2019.
Ernst & Young Ltd. was admitted to the Register of Recognized Auditors effective 15 March 2019.
BDO has withdrawn from the Register of Recognized Auditors; the effective date of the withdrawal was 22 January 2019.
Grant Thornton has withdrawn from the Register of Recognized Auditors; the effective date of the withdrawal was 5 June 2018.
The Rules effective 31 October 2017 replace those in effect from 1 December 2014 which have been amended to make provision for “designated companies” and “Authority specified companies” as defined in the Auditors Oversight Law (2017 Revision).
AOA becomes one of 22 signatories to the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators' Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding for co-operation in the exchange of information between audit regulators around the world.
In March 2017, IFIAR released its fifth annual survey of findings identified by its Members in their individual inspections of audit firms affiliated with six large, international audit firm networks.
The Auditors Oversight Law, 2011 ("AOL") established the AOA and the scope of its operations. The Auditors Oversight (Amendment) Law, 2016 was gazetted on 5 December 2016, making some changes to the AOL.
On 25 July 2016, the EC extended the transitional period granted to the Cayman Islands oversight system for financial years starting from 1 August 2016 to 31 July 2018.
Sue Winspear replaces Garnet Harrison on the AOA Board in July 2016.
European Commission's process of assessing "equivalency" of the AOA oversight regime has begun
AOA completes first inspection
The AOA has gazetted the listing of EU "regulated" markets under Section 2 of the Auditors Oversight Law, 2011.
Regulations to the AOL and Rules have been published
Government to Dissolve Auditors Oversight Authority
The Government of the Cayman Islands issued the following press release on 26 March 2026.
More information will appear on this website in due course.
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26 March 2026|Press Release |By: Matthew Yates<mailto:matthew.yates@gov.ky>
Government to Dissolve Auditors Oversight Authority, Purpose Served
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The Cayman Islands Government has published a bill that will advance the formal dissolution of the Auditors Oversight Authority (AOA), as the entity has served its purpose in the jurisdiction's regulatory framework.
The Auditors Oversight (Amendment, Validation and Repeal) Bill, 2026<https://gov.ky/w/auditors-oversight-amendment-validation-and-repeal-bill-2026-lg15-s4> is expected to be presented by the Premier and Minister for Financial Services and Commerce, the Hon. André Ebanks, at the upcoming meeting of Parliament scheduled for next month.
The AOA was established in 2012 to support international regulatory equivalency objectives within a defined segment of audit oversight. However, the need for this function has diminished due to shifts in the global regulatory environment, together with the limited level of activity in its oversight of in-scope auditors and market-traded entities and the absence of equivalency recognition from key international partners.
In this context, the Bill supports a measured dissolution of the AOA, ensuring the country's regulatory framework remains responsive to current market realities. The Bill also includes provisions to validate prior decisions of the AOA Board, providing clarity and confirmation of prior regulatory actions.
The Bill further provides for the eventual repeal of the Auditors Oversight Authority Act. This repeal will take effect at a later date, following the completion of all necessary dissolution arrangements.
"The measured dissolution of the AOA is a prudent step given that the AOA has served its primary purpose and its role is no longer required in our modern regulatory framework," Premier Ebanks said. "I'd like to take this opportunity to convey sincere gratitude to the chair, deputy chair and prior chairs and staff, especially Alister Mason, Mike Austin and Paul Anderton, who served for many dedicated years, for their stellar service to the Cayman Islands."
The Premier went on to say that the AOA's allocated budget resources will likely transition to the Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants, which now has a far more advanced role in our modern financial services regulatory framework
