Mr. Ernest Hughes, CPA, MBA, is the Vice Executive Chairperson at the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC); he is the Principal Deputy to the Executive Chairperson of the Commission.

In addition to the Principal Deputy’s role, supporting the Executive Chairperson to manage the day-to-day operations of the Commission, Ernest primarily oversees the Education and Prevention Department, a department responsible for (1) undertaking research into causes,
manifestation and dimensions of corruption in Liberia; and (2) advise on approaches, program and practices needed to be adopted by the Government of Liberia, private and public institutions, organizations and entities to prevent and combat corruption; design and implement programs aimed at educating and sensitizing the public about the menace of corruption and its debilitating effect on the social fabric of Liberia and the economy of Liberia and what should be done to prevent and combat corruption.

Ernest hails from Sinoe County; however, he was born and raised in Monrovia.

Ernest is an accomplished leader with over 25 years of experience working with governments and public filers, often with international and cross-border implications. 
Ernest has a blend of Big “Four” public accounting experience (roles at PWC & Deloitte), and industry experience (roles at Fortune 500s – Walmart & Flowserve). More recently, Ernest was an Accounting Advisory Director at CFGI, America’s largest non-audit accounting advisory firm.

Ernest graduated from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, USA with an MBA, emphasis in Finance and Information Systems,

Ernest also graduated from McMaster University, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with an Honors Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and Economics.

Ernest is a Texas-licensed “Certified Public Accountant”, a Certified Information Systems Auditor, a Certified Fraud Examiner, a Certified Internal Auditor, and IFRS certified through the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Ernest continues to play key fiduciary roles in fraud prevention and detection and has championed and continued to be a thought leader in designing and implementing anti-fraud and internal controls to strengthen governments and some of the largest global private sector employers, including Walmart (Fortune 1), Deloitte (USA) and PWC (Canada).  Ernest has supported a variety of clients in retail/consumer products, manufacturing, biotechnology, energy, power, life sciences, and service industries. Ernest also has experience with world-class accounting systems, data tools etc., including ERPs – Oracle, SAP, MS D365; GRC tools – Archer, Alteryx, Tableau, Audit Board, ServiceNow; Query tools – MS Sequel, Sequel, Access.

Ernest is passionate about process improvement and transformation to drive operational efficiencies and effectiveness.  He is highly sought after for his ability to analyze and simplify complex information, communicate clearly, and turn frameworks into functioning processes.  Ernest is most comfortable in the space where people, processes, and technology meet.

As Ernest reflects on his career, he is proud and inspired by past accomplishments, and looking forward, he is excited to transform integrity in a new Liberia.  Ernest has lived and worked globally, but there is no place he is prouder of to call home, than his beloved Liberia.