Compliance and risk management
Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance
SOX Implementation, Optimization, Compliance, and Technology
What is SOX?
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, commonly known as SOX, is a US federal law enacted in 2002. The law aims to protect investors and the public from accounting fraud by imposing strict requirements on public companies and accounting firms.
SOX was introduced in the wake of the Enron scandal, which exposed the accounting fraud committed by the energy company. The scandal led to the collapse of Enron and caused significant damage to investors, employees, and other stakeholders. SOX was enacted to restore investor confidence in the financial markets and prevent future accounting scandals.
Who does SOX apply to?
Sarbanes-Oxley applies to all public companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and their accounting firms. The law imposes strict requirements on these companies, including establishing internal controls, certifying financial statements by CEOs and CFOs, and disclosing any material changes to financial conditions.
Why is SOX compliance important?
First and foremost, Sarbanes-Oxley helps to protect investors and the public from accounting fraud. By requiring companies to establish strong internal controls and ensure financial statements' accuracy, SOX helps prevent financial misstatements and misrepresentations that can harm investors and other stakeholders.
Ultimately, SOX promotes better corporate governance within organizations. Companies that comply with SOX are seen as more trustworthy, which can improve their reputation and attract more investors.
