To help CFOs of smaller companies navigate wisely through the Sarbanes-Oxley compliance process, Lord & Benoit has published a study, “10 Threats to SOX Compliance for Smaller Public Companies.”

The study comes on the heels of actions by the SEC and PCAOB to require smaller public companies to comply with SOX this year.

In summarizing the results, Lord & Benoit suggests this list should be used by CFOs as a starting point for a macro-level risk assessment at smaller public companies. Identifying potential concerns, developing action plans to remediate these risks, and taking quick action can minimize the likelihood of an adverse Section 404 report at the end of the first year of compliance.

[1] SmartPros: Study Outlines SOX Threats for Smaller Public Companies