Dave Sullivan Named New CEO of Center for Audit Quality

The auditing organization taps the former Deloitte leader to guide professional standards and firm quality initiatives.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in People

Dave Sullivan Named New CEO of Center for Audit Quality

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The Center for Audit Quality has appointed Dave Sullivan as its new CEO. Sullivan, formerly a quality leader at Deloitte, moves into the top role after the departure of Julie Bell Lindsay earlier this year.

Why it matters

The change in leadership at the CAQ signals a shift in management for the group that represents public company auditing firms. For operators and firm owners, this transition marks a leadership change at a key entity that influences audit standards and professional practice guidelines in the United States.

The transition brings in a leader with 35 years of experience at Deloitte, replacing the former CEO who departed in April 2026. The organization is now finalizing the move as it also initiates a search for Sullivan's replacement as chair of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council.

The players

Dave Sullivan

The new CEO of the Center for Audit Quality and former audit and assurance quality leader at Deloitte with 35 years of experience.

Center for Audit Quality

An organization representing public company auditing firms that influences professional standards and market practices.

Financial Accounting Foundation

The oversight body responsible for the search for a new chair for the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council.

Mark Koziel

The executive who served as acting CEO of the Center for Audit Quality since April 2026.

Julie Bell Lindsay

The former CEO of the Center for Audit Quality who departed the organization in April 2026.

The details

Sullivan transitions to the CAQ following a tenure as chair of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council and previous leadership on the CAQ's own Professional Practice Executive Committee. Mark Koziel, who served as acting CEO since April 2026, oversaw the organization during the interim period between permanent executives. The Financial Accounting Foundation is currently tasked with replacing Sullivan's position as chair of the council, with Alicia Manders serving on an interim basis.

April 2026: Julie Bell Lindsay departed as CEO.
Beginning of 2026: Dave Sullivan began serving as chair of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council.
October 27, 2026: Dave Sullivan was named CEO of the CAQ.

Market Landscape

This leadership transition occurs as the auditing sector continues to align with the oversight patterns established by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The appointment reflects the ongoing importance of maintaining specialized leadership at industry-level organizations that interface with public auditors.

Operators and firm owners should monitor the CAQ for updates to professional practice guidelines under the new leadership. Keep track of the pending selection of a new FASAC chair as it may influence future financial accounting standard-setting processes.

The takeaway

The appointment signals a continuation of established quality-focused priorities for the organization. Owners of audit firms should track the upcoming selection of a new FASAC chair as a primary indicator of future standard-setting priorities.