The Auditor General of British Columbia is an independent Officer of the Legislature of British Columbia, responsible for conducting audits of the government reporting entity (GRE) which consists of ministries, Crown corporations, and other organizations controlled by or accountable to the provincial government. Independence is a vital safeguard for fulfilling the Auditor General's responsibilities objectively and fairly based solely on the evidence found while conducting proper audit procedures. For this reason, the Auditor General reports directly to the Legislative Assembly and not the government of the day.
The Office of the Auditor General of British Columbia (OAGBC) is located in Victoria, B.C., Canada.
History
Auditors General in B.C. The position of Auditor General in B.C. was first filled in 1861, with a continuous line of auditors general until 1917. However, these auditors did not benefit from objectivity and independence from government direction and operational priorities: qualities that are the distinguishing features of a modern auditing and legislative reporting function.
The position was re-established in 1977 with the Auditor General Act, brought in to "fill a gap that has existed in British Columbia up to this time," according to then-Finance Minister E.M. Wolfe.
Since then, the Auditor General has been governed solely by the Auditor General Act. Per the Act, the Legislative Assembly must unanimously appoint a person to be the Auditor General. The Auditor General holds office for a non-renewable eight-year term.
The Auditor General can resign from the office at any time by giving written notice to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. The Auditor General can be suspended from office if a resolution is passed by 2/3 or more of the members present in the Legislative Assembly.
List of all B.C. Auditors General Auditor General Appointment Date Departure DateBridget Parrish, CPA, CADecember 1, 2025Sheila Dodds, CPA, CA^November 15, 2024December 1, 2025 Michael A. Pickup, FCPA, FCA July 27, 2020 November 15, 2024 Russ Jones, MBA, CA^ December 31, 2019 July 24, 2020 Carol Bellringer, FCA September 15, 2014 December 31, 2019 Russ Jones, MBA, CA^ May 27, 2013 September 14, 2014 John Doyle, MAcc, FCA October 29, 2007 May 27, 2013 Errol Price, FCA, CMC^ June 4, 2007 October 28, 2007 Arn Van Iersel, FCGA^ June 7, 2006 June 1, 2007 Wayne Strelioff, FCA March 1, 2000 May 2, 2006 George L. Morfitt, FCA January 1, 1988 January 1, 2000 Robert J. Hayward, CA^ November 1, 1986 January 1, 1988 Erma P. Morrison, FCA September 1, 1977, October 31, 1986 William Allison April 1, 1913 January 1, 1917 John A. Anderson December 1, 1900 April 1, 1913 James McBride Smith January 1, 1880 January 1, 1900 John J. Austin^ January 1, 1879 January 1, 1880 W.C. Berkely^^ March 4, 1873 January 1, 1878 Thomas R. Holmes^ September 1, 1871 February 1, 1873 Robert Ker August 31, 1861 September 1, 1871 ^Acting Auditor General ^^Audit Clerk
Present day
Office of the Auditor General
Quick Facts Fiscal 2025/26: 115 regular 8 auxiliary staff
Training Office
The OAGBC is a recognized Chartered Accountant Training Office, meeting the profession's Practical Experience Requirements of providing audit, assurance and taxation hours.
The OAGBC also participates in the Canadian Comprehensive Auditing Foundation's international programs, which provides performance audit training for developing audit offices in a variety of countries.not found
References
External links Office of the Auditor General of B.C. Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C. Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants Canadian Council of Legislative Auditors Canadian Comprehensive Auditing Foundation