Intent:

SOX legislates public companies to have good management practices that provides accurate financial reporting to the investment community

SOX was designed to protect shareholders and the general public from errors and fraudulent accounting practices within a corporation by instituting and document various checks-and-balances called 'controls'.

SOX objective: "to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures made pursuant to the securities laws".

SOX intended to "deter and punish corporate and accounting fraud and corruption, ensure justice for wrongdoers, and protect the interests of workers and shareholders" (Quote: President Bush)