The Sarbanes-Oxley Act
19. How has the Sarbanes-Oxley Act affected internal controls?
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act was created because of the losses that stockholders experienced due to financial fraud. Because of SOX, internal control of public companies’ management increased. It established provisions that companies should fulfill pertaining to their management and recording of transactions. More thorough and stricter guidelines were created to help companies go about with their activities related to internal controls. This Act increased standards that would help companies get a better control over how they should run things hopefully that would result to regaining the stockholders’ confidence.
20. Discuss the key features of Section 302 of SOX.
In Section 302 of
SOX, it required that corporate management including the CEO and CFO had checked and reviewed the organization’s internal control on a quarterly and annual basis. It found it necessary that reports should not have any material untrue statements or material omissions that would be considered misleading. The financial statements and related information should fairly present the financial condition and the results in all material respects; these should give an accurate picture of the current standing of the company. A list of all deficiencies in the internal controls and information on any fraud that involves employees who are involved with internal activities should be created. Any significant changes in internal controls or related factors that could have a negative impact on the internal controls, this, along with the things previously mentioned should have certifications.
21. Discuss the key features of Section 404 of SOX. In Section 404 of SOX, it states that companies should publish information in their annual reports concerning the scope and adequacy of the internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting. The report should include showing the company’s flow of transactions, including IT aspects, in sufficient detail to identify points where misstatements could arise. Also, a report pertaining to the design and operating effectiveness of selected internal controls related to material accounts should be created. An assessment of the system where fraud could arise and an evaluation of the controls designed to detect and prevent fraud should be done. And lastly, there should be an evaluation of the adequacy of controls over the reporting process of financial statements.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act was created because of the losses that stockholders experienced due to financial fraud. Because of SOX, internal control of public companies’ management increased. It established provisions that companies should fulfill pertaining to their management and recording of transactions. More thorough and stricter guidelines were created to help companies go about with their activities related to internal controls. This Act increased standards that would help companies get a better control over how they should run things hopefully that would result to regaining the stockholders’ confidence.
20. Discuss the key features of Section 302 of SOX.
In Section 302 of
SOX, it required that corporate management including the CEO and CFO had checked and reviewed the organization’s internal control on a quarterly and annual basis. It found it necessary that reports should not have any material untrue statements or material omissions that would be considered misleading. The financial statements and related information should fairly present the financial condition and the results in all material respects; these should give an accurate picture of the current standing of the company. A list of all deficiencies in the internal controls and information on any fraud that involves employees who are involved with internal activities should be created. Any significant changes in internal controls or related factors that could have a negative impact on the internal controls, this, along with the things previously mentioned should have certifications.
21. Discuss the key features of Section 404 of SOX. In Section 404 of SOX, it states that companies should publish information in their annual reports concerning the scope and adequacy of the internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting. The report should include showing the company’s flow of transactions, including IT aspects, in sufficient detail to identify points where misstatements could arise. Also, a report pertaining to the design and operating effectiveness of selected internal controls related to material accounts should be created. An assessment of the system where fraud could arise and an evaluation of the controls designed to detect and prevent fraud should be done. And lastly, there should be an evaluation of the adequacy of controls over the reporting process of financial statements.