Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Possible Sarbanes-Oxley relief for small business


When you think of Sarbanes-Oxley, you probably think of Enron or WorldCom. It's only natural.

The regulations were meant to clean up financial abuse at public companies. But they affect private firms as well. Many fast-growing private companies have been forced to follow the costly and time-consuming regulations to make their businesses more attractive for an initial public offering or possible buyout.

But a measure of relief may be on the way. The Securities and Exchange Commission's Advisory Committee on Smaller Public Companies, in a report to SEC Chairman Christopher Cox, is recommending that smaller public firms—those with market capitalizations under $800 million or so—be partially exempt from Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

See full Article.