Security & Compliance

  • 7 min read

The Cost Of SOX Compliance In 2024

Minu Joseph

18th March, 2024

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The cost of SOX compliance can be substantial, especially for larger organizations with complex operations. Many of these compliance expenses are often allocated to external audit fees. Consequently, the process incurs substantial financial burdens on these organizations. 

This blog post delves into the costs of SOX compliance in 2024.

Protiviti's 2022 SOX compliance survey highlights a consistent surge in compliance costs across various company sizes, industries, and reporting types. Notably, increasing companies are investing $2 million or more in compliance, while fewer allocate $500,000 or less. 

Further, most companies allocate an annual budget ranging from $1 to $2 million for directly identifiable costs. This expense rise is particularly evident among smaller companies, reflecting the initial public offerings (IPOs) surge driven by special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs).

Let's explore the expenses associated with complying with SOX in 2024 and the various factors that impact these costs.

The Financial Implications of SOX Compliance

The financial implications of SOX compliance are multifaceted and can significantly impact a company's bottom line. According to Protiviti's  2023 report, over half of companies reported increased time requirements for achieving SOX compliance compared to previous years. On average, organizations allocate upwards of USD 1 million annually toward SOX compliance initiatives. 

Here are some key aspects to consider:

• Initial Costs: Implementing SOX compliance measures requires significant initial investment. This includes expenses related to assessing current processes, upgrading systems and controls, hiring compliance personnel, and training employees.

• Ongoing Expenses: Maintaining compliance with SOX regulations is an ongoing process that incurs regular expenses. This may include costs associated with monitoring and auditing financial processes, conducting internal controls testing, and ensuring continued compliance with evolving regulations.

• Penalties for Non-Compliance: Non-compliance with SOX regulations can result in severe penalties, including fines, legal fees, and reputational damage. Companies found to be in violation of SOX may face hefty financial penalties imposed by regulatory authorities.

• Increased Audit Costs: SOX compliance often necessitates more thorough and frequent audits of financial processes and controls. This can lead to increased audit fees charged by external auditors, as well as higher internal audit costs.

• Investor Confidence and Stock Performance: Maintaining SOX compliance is crucial for upholding investor confidence in a company's financial reporting and governance practices. Failure to comply with SOX requirements can erode investor trust, leading to a decline in stock performance and potentially impacting shareholder value.

• Opportunity Costs: The resources and attention devoted to achieving and maintaining SOX compliance may divert attention and resources away from other strategic initiatives and business priorities. This can result in missed opportunities for growth and innovation.

Overall, the financial implications of SOX compliance can be substantial. The benefits of ensuring accurate financial reporting, enhancing corporate governance, and preserving investor trust are essential for publicly traded companies' long-term success and sustainability.

How Much Does SOX Compliance Cost & Which Factors Affect That?

SOX imposes a range of costs, including both direct and indirect expenses. Direct costs include fees for section 404 internal-control audits and other compliance-related expenditures. 

On average, companies allocate $1-2 million for their SOX budget, with Internal Audit teams dedicating 5,000-10,000 hours annually to SOX programs. Notably, 70% of these hours are spent on administrative tasks like spreadsheet management. Initially, the SEC estimated that Section 404 compliance alone would cost $1.24 billion annually, averaging $91,000 per company, based on a projected burden of 5,396,266 hours.

The cost of complying with SOX can be complex and vary depending on several factors. These factors are:- 

1. Complexity of Business Operations: The complexity of a company's business operations plays a significant role in determining the cost of SOX compliance. Companies with diverse business lines, international operations, or intricate financial structures often face higher compliance costs. This is because they require more extensive controls and documentation to meet regulatory requirements.

2. Size and Scale of the Organization: The size and scale of an organization also influence the cost of SOX compliance. Larger companies typically have more extensive financial reporting requirements. They have larger teams dedicated to compliance efforts, and greater resources allocated to compliance initiatives. Hence, this results in higher compliance costs.

3. Technology Infrastructure: The adequacy and sophistication of a company's technology infrastructure can impact SOX compliance costs. Companies with outdated or inefficient systems may need to invest in technology upgrades or implementation of new software solutions to ensure compliance with SOX requirements.

4. External Audit and Consulting Fees: Companies often engage external auditors and consultants to assist with SOX compliance efforts. These professionals charge fees based on factors such as the complexity of the company's operations, the scope of the compliance project, and the expertise required.

5. Training and Education Expenses: Training and education expenses related to SOX compliance can also contribute to compliance costs. Companies may need to invest in training programs to ensure that employees understand their roles and responsibilities in maintaining compliance with SOX regulations.

Overall, a combination of factors influences the cost of SOX compliance. Understanding these factors is essential for companies to effectively manage and budget for SOX compliance efforts.

Is SOX Compliance Worth the Cost?

Protiviti's study reveals that compliance costs vary widely, from $181,300 for small firms to over $2 million for large companies annually. Initial expenses may deter some, but SOX compliance ultimately stabilizes the market and enhances financial dependability. 

SOX compliance is worth the cost for several reasons:-

• First and foremost, it helps to instill confidence in investors and shareholders. SOX compliance reduces the risk of fraudulent activities and mismanagement by ensuring that companies follow strict financial reporting standards and internal controls. This, in turn, can lead to increased investor trust and a more stable market environment.

• Secondly, SOX compliance can help prevent financial scandals and corporate failures. By mandating greater transparency and accountability in financial reporting, SOX regulations make it harder for companies to engage in unethical or illegal practices. This ultimately protects both shareholders and the wider economy from the devastating consequences of corporate misconduct.

• Additionally, SOX compliance can lead to long-term cost savings for companies. While initial compliance costs may be high, implementing robust internal controls and automation processes can actually streamline operations and reduce the risk of costly errors or fraud in the future. In this way, SOX compliance can be seen as an investment in the financial health and sustainability of the company.

Overall, while the costs of SOX compliance may be significant, the benefits in terms of investor confidence, fraud prevention, and long-term cost savings make it a worthwhile investment for companies of all sizes. 

7 Strategies To Reduce SOX Compliance Costs

Here are several effective strategies to reduce costs associated with SOX compliance for publicly-traded organizations.

1: Centralize Information Management

By centralizing information management systems and processes, companies can consolidate data from various sources into a single, unified platform. This simplifies data tracking and reporting, eliminating the need for redundant data storage and manual data reconciliation. As a result, companies can reduce the time and effort required for compliance activities while ensuring consistency and accuracy in reporting.

2: Eliminate Spreadsheets

Transitioning from manual spreadsheet-based processes to automated solutions can yield significant cost savings. Specialized software tools designed for SOX compliance offer features such as automated data entry, validation, and reporting, reducing the risk of errors and improving efficiency. Companies can also save on labor costs by reallocating resources from manual data entry and manipulation to more value-added tasks.

3: Streamline Administrative Tasks

Reducing the time spent on administrative tasks frees up resources for more strategic activities. Companies can streamline administrative processes by implementing workflow automation tools, standardizing procedures, and leveraging technology to automate routine tasks. This allows compliance teams to focus their efforts on higher-value activities such as risk assessment, control testing, and process improvement.

4: Optimize and Rationalize the SOX Framework

Regularly reviewing and optimizing the SOX checklist or framework helps identify opportunities for streamlining and cost reduction. By eliminating redundant or unnecessary controls and aligning controls with business objectives, companies can reduce the time and effort required for compliance activities. This ensures that compliance efforts focus on areas most critical to the organization's financial integrity and regulatory requirements.

5: Enhance Internal Audit Efficiency

Maximizing the reliance of external auditors on internal audit information can help reduce compliance costs. By strengthening internal audit capabilities and providing timely, accurate information to external auditors, companies can streamline the audit process and minimize the need for additional testing and verification. This reduces external audit fees and enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of compliance efforts.

6: Provide Management with Compliance Tools

Equipping management with the necessary compliance tools and resources to oversee compliance efforts improves efficiency and effectiveness. Companies can provide management with access to specialized software tools, training programs, and support resources to help them monitor and track compliance activities more effectively. This empowers management to proactively address compliance issues and drive continuous improvement in compliance processes.

Consider incorporating access review tools like Zluri to bolster your SOX audit readiness. Access review is a cornerstone of SOX compliance, and Zluri simplifies the auditing journey by facilitating swift access assessments. With Zluri, you can gain extensive insights into user activities, roles, access patterns, and entitlements across your organizational applications. Effortlessly generate detailed reports showcasing approved users, actions taken, and reviewer details, and timestamps.

Moreover, you can streamline access remediation seamlessly to address overprivileged access. By leveraging workflows triggered during the review process, swiftly revoke or modify permissions to enhance security measures. 

7: Support and Empower the SOX Workforce

Supporting and empowering the SOX workforce is essential for reducing turnover and ensuring continuity in compliance efforts. Companies can invest in training and development programs, promote a culture of compliance awareness, and provide opportunities for feedback and improvement. By supporting the professional growth and development of compliance professionals, companies can build a skilled and dedicated workforce capable of effectively managing compliance requirements while minimizing costs.

By adopting these strategies, companies can optimize their SOX compliance efforts, reduce costs, and enhance their compliance programs' overall effectiveness and efficiency.

Fixing the High Cost of SOX Compliance

In conclusion, understanding regulatory requirements and assessing compliance costs are fundamental aspects of managing a thriving business. While these costs may pose a significant financial burden, they represent a vital investment in upholding your business's legality and reputation. 

By anticipating these expenses and planning accordingly, businesses can streamline their compliance efforts and operate more efficiently. It's crucial to recognize that while compliance entails costs, the repercussions of non-compliance can be far more detrimental. 

Therefore, investing in SOX compliance is not just a financial obligation but a fundamental safeguard for the long-term success and sustainability of the business.

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About the author

Minu Joseph