Doughtie will succeed John Veihmeyer, who has served as KPMG's US chairman and CEO since 2010 and simultaneously as global chairman of KPMG International since February 2014.

KPMG told this publication that a replacement for Doughtie in her current role as head of advisory will be named in due course.

When Veihmeyer became global chairman, he indicated that he would serve the remainder of his term as US chairman and CEO through its close on June 30, 2015, before focusing exclusively on his international role. He will continue to be based in the US as he leads KPMG globally.

Doughtie joined KPMG’s audit practice in 1985 and then held a number of national, regional and global leadership roles. She is a member of the US firm’s management committee and KPMG International’s global advisory leadership team. She also oversaw the expansion of KPMG’s capabilities in information security, strategy, digital/mobile and transformation.

P Scott Ozanus has been re-elected as deputy chairman and chief operating officer – a role he has held since 2012. Ozanus led KPMG’s tax practice before becoming deputy chairman and COO.