Management of the Audit Department was transferred to Montserrat on 1 July, 1956; and three positions were established to perform the audit duties and functions.

Originally, the legal authority for audit work was provided by the Finance Administration and Audit Act; and the department was viewed as being managed by the Ministry of Finance.  Recognizing the need to be, and seen to be, an independent audit office; the governance of the Audit Department was separated in 2001; with the enactment of a dedicated Audit Act.  The department was later renamed “Office of the Auditor General”.   

In addition to the above, the importance of an independent public audit function has long been recognized as a fundamental element of sound public financial management.  This recognition is reflected in the Montserrat Constitution Order 2010, which gives constitutional status to the audit function and enshrines key provisions to safeguard its independence.

The principal constitution provisions are contained in Sections 101-103, which address the appointment and removal of an Auditor-General, the functions and duties of the Auditor-General, and protection from interference of the Montserrat National Audit Office and support its ability to carry out its mandate objectively and impartiality.

The Audit Act 2001 was subsequently repealed and replaced by the National Audit Office Act, which was passed by the Legislative Assembly on the 24 July, 2024 and received assent on 31 July, 2024.  On that  same date, the Audit Office was officially renamed the “National Audit Office” reflecting its modern statutory framework and strengthen institutional identity.  Despite these legislative developments, the Audit Offices remains a Government department with limited institutional and administrative independence and continues to operate within the broader framework of the public service and remains subject to certain government administrative and resource management arrangements.

The terminology used to identify the Audit Department’s senior manager has evolved significantly over the years. It began with Principal Auditor in 1956; then was changed to Director of Audit; and is currently styled Auditor-General.  As all persons essentially performed the same functions; they have been given the same designation; and are listed below in order of most recent service.

Current Auditor-General

Miss Marsha V. E. Meade, October 2025 – present  

Past Auditors-General

• Miss Marsha Verancia Eleanor Meade, BA, MSc, April 2021 – September 2025 (Acting Auditor-General)
• Miss Florence Augusta Lee, CPA, BSc, MSc, July 2002 – May 2021 
• Mr Lorenzo Everad Linnington Cassell, BA, MA, March 1977 – June 2002
• Mr Sydney St Alban Meade, July 1956 – March 1977