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SOX Costs

From Financial Executives Int'l (link via Broc), here's an analysis of what it is costing corporation to comply with just one provision of Sarbanes Oxley (§ 404):

In looking at initial one-time expenses for a "typical" $3 billion company, The Johnsson Group estimates incremental unanticipated expenditures totaling $1.1 to $3.5 million, itemized as follows:

Section 404-Related Activity- Initial one-time costs estimates:
Independent audit scope changes/fee increases	$500,000 - $2 million
Internal audit expansion	$200,000 - $500,000
Outside consulting services	$400,000 - $1 million
SubTotal	$1.1 - 3.5 million in one-time Section 404-related costs

And that's just the beginning. Given the heightened new requirements, companies can reasonably expect to incur ongoing incremental costs in the range of $800,000 to $2.8 million:

Section 404-Related Activity- Ongoing annual costs estimates:
Independent audit scope changes/fee increases	$500,000 - $2 million
Internal audit expansion	$200,000 - $500,000
Outside consulting services	$100,000 - $300,000
SubTotal	$800,000 - $2.8 million in ongoing Section 404-related costs