Executive Director for Audit Services

Ann-Marie Harkin

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Ann-Marie Harkin was born in Weston Super Mare; and was educated at La-Retraite High School for girls in Bristol before attending Cardiff University to study French and German.

Ann-Marie graduated in 1986 with a B.A. (Hons), moving then to accountancy, joining the National Audit Office in the same year as an Assistant Auditor. 
 
Ann-Marie achieved CIPFA status with the NAO in 1989 having worked during this period auditing the Ministry of Defence in Bath and later the Welsh Office in Cardiff. As a senior and principal auditor with the NAO she enjoyed a varied role, encompassing financial and performance audit work in Wales and at the Research Councils in Swindon. She also undertook a number of secondments, including one to the National Museum and Galleries of Wales to review asset management arrangements and another to Ernst and Young Chartered Accountants where she was involved in the audit of several private sector companies. 
 
In 1999 Ann-Marie became the Private Secretary to the first Auditor General for Wales (Sir John Bourn), and was involved in setting up the AGW’s office in Cardiff Bay and in establishing protocols for working with the National Assembly’s Audit Committee. After three years in this role she took on the role of Manager, managing audits for the Sports Council, Arts Council, DVLA and various charities. 
 
Ann-Marie joined the Audit Wales on its formation in 2005. She is a Financial Audit Director and Engagement Lead on numerous accounts including South and North Wales Police, NAWC (National Assembly for Wales Commission), ABMU (Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University) Health Board as well as maintaining a working brief for our Financial Audit trainees. In 2016 Ann-Marie won the prestigious Leading Wales Women in Leadership Award.
 
Away from the Audit Wales Ann-Marie enjoys reading and travelling, with a particular interest in Italy.