What does the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) primarily aim to improve?

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), enacted in 2002, primarily aims to improve corporate transparency and accountability in response to financial scandals that shook investor confidence and highlighted the need for stricter regulations. This legislation established new standards for financial reporting and corporate governance.

Key provisions of SOX require companies to implement internal controls and procedures to ensure accurate financial reporting. This includes holding corporate executives responsible for inaccuracies in financial statements, thus enhancing transparency for stakeholders, including investors, regulators, and the public. The Act also established the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) to oversee the audits of public companies, further fostering transparency and reliability in the financial reporting process. By addressing these issues, SOX contributes significantly to restoring trust in the capital markets and protecting investor interests.

The other options, while important in their own right, do not directly relate to the primary focus of SOX. Employee rights are often protected under different labor laws, environmental regulations are governed by environmental statutes, and consumer protection addresses issues related to the rights and safety of consumers in markets.