Overview

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Act") established the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") to oversee the audits of public companies and related matters, to protect investors, and to further the public interest in the preparation of informative, accurate and independent audit reports. The PCAOB is to accomplish these goals through registration of public accounting firms, standard setting, inspection, and disciplinary programs. Section 109 of the Act provides that the PCAOB shall establish a reasonable annual accounting support fee, as may be necessary or appropriate to establish and maintain the PCAOB. Section 109(h) amends Section 13(b)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require issuers to pay the allocable share of a reasonable annual accounting support fee or fees, determined in accordance with Section 109 of the Act. The aggregate annual accounting support fee may not exceed the PCAOB's aggregate "recoverable budget expenses." Section 109(f) of the Act provides that "recoverable budget expenses" may include operating, capital and accrued items. Section 109(b) of the Act directs the PCAOB to establish a budget for each fiscal year in accordance with the PCAOB's internal procedures. Section 109(b) of the Act also provides that the PCAOB's budget is subject to approval by the Commission.

The PCAOB adopted a budget for calendar year 2003 at an open meeting on April 23, 2003, and submitted that budget to the Commission for approval on May 14, 2003. In accordance with its responsibilities to oversee the PCAOB, the Commission has reviewed the budget proposed by the PCAOB for 2003. During the course of that review, among other things, we reviewed and relied upon representations and supporting documentation from the PCAOB. The Commission also has reviewed the aggregate accounting support fee for 2003, which will fund the PCAOB's expenditures. The Commission did not identify any proposed disbursements in the budget that are not properly recoverable through the annual accounting support fee, and the Commission believes that the aggregate proposed 2003 annual accounting support fee does not exceed the PCAOB's aggregate recoverable budget expenses for 2003. After its review, the Commission determined that the PCAOB's 2003 budget and annual accounting support fee are consistent with Section 109 of the Act. Accordingly,

IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Section 109 of the Act, that the PCAOB budget and annual accounting support fee for calendar year 2003 are approved.

By the Commission.

Margaret H. McFarland
Deputy Secretary

 

Details

Rule Type
PCAOB
Aug. 1, 2003