Have the Effects of SOX Section 404(b) Compliance Changed Over Time?

Abstract

We use regression discontinuity design to evaluate the effects of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) on audit costs and financial reporting and how these effects have changed over time. While audit fee premiums associated with 404(b) compliance were substantial in the initial years of compliance, we find that the premiums declined until 2010 before reversing and returning to early SOX levels by 2015. We also find that the likelihood that a company selects a Big 4 auditor is greater for 404(b) compliers and that this drives a portion of the audit fee premium. Although we find some evidence that compliance results in more effective internal controls, this effect is confined to the initial years following the extension of management internal control reporting to non-accelerated filers. We find no evidence that the audit of internal controls over financial reporting yields more informative internal control reports. Together, while evidence suggests that audit fees associated with internal control audits have not materially and sustainably declined since inception, we find no evidence that the increased audit effort is associated with improved internal control quality or reporting. Our findings directly respond to calls from regulators and academics for research on the updated Section 404(b) compliance rules recently introduced by the SEC and should be of interest to a variety of corporate stakeholders.