Search
 

Companies that did more complying and less griping about SOX benefited

Corporations that embraced Sarbanes-Oxley goals from the start by automating financial reporting and encouraging business-wide cultures of compliance have eliminated material weaknesses and slashed costs more quickly than other companies.

By Staff Writer | Updated on August 07, 2007

Corporations that embraced Sarbanes-Oxley goals from the start by automating financial reporting and encouraging business-wide cultures of compliance have eliminated material weaknesses and slashed costs more quickly than other companies. “Some cut compliance costs by nearly a third this past year, at the same time they improved the effectiveness of their internal controls over financial reporting,” says Larry Raff, national partner in charge of KPMG’s 404 Institute, which conducted the survey.

Of the 930 executives with compliance responsibilities who responded to the survey (representing all sizes and all types of businesses), those that were most successful in reducing deficiencies while lowering costs shared some common traits: They automated much of the financial reporting process, integrated compliance into day-to-day operations to give employees a feeling of ownership, gave internal audit personnel strategic roles to play, centralized controls that are preventive, rather than detective, and adopted a risk-based approach before many of their peers. “Companies that were ahead of the curve take a broad view of risk, embedding compliance efforts within the business,” Raff says. “That means having compliance teams such as internal audit more involved in early program development, rather than being brought in after controls are implemented.”

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to Treasury & Risk, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited Treasury & Risk content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical Treasury & Risk information including in-depth analysis of treasury and finance best practices, case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts and videos, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2023 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

 

Recommended Stories

Treasury & Risk

Join Treasury & Risk

Don’t miss crucial treasury and finance news along with in-depth analysis and insights you need to make informed treasury decisions. Join Treasury & Risk now!

  • Free unlimited access to Treasury & Risk including case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM publications including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join Treasury & Risk

Copyright © 2023 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.