The SOX 404 procedure; is it still so repelling to foreign issuers?

Abstract

The need for effective and competitive financial markets is reflected in the internal control procedures of listed companies. The recent banking crises and the famous financial scandals have revealed the need for strong internal control mechanisms. Such mechanisms improve firms performance, reduce information asymmetry and are expected to raise firms value. However, due to the inherent limitations of internal control achievement of the financial reporting objectives cannot be absolutely ensured. A great reform in the internal control mechanism was introduced by the controversial Article 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This paper lays out the internal control provision described in Sarbanes-Oxley Act, presents the extraterritorial effects on foreign issuers, compares and summarizes overall findings towards ensuring a better financial environment with regard to the international and European corporate governance framework applied.