| dc.description.abstract | Background & Problem Discussion: The collapse of Enron together with several
other scandals contributed to the creation of the Sarbanes Oxley Act, imposing heavy
demands on accounting ethics for businesses listed on the stock exchange in the US.
In Sweden, the Swedish Code of Corporate Governance was introduced, but instead
of being a law, it is based on self-regulation. The purpose of both SOX and the Code
is to gain the trust of potential investors by ensuring that companies are managed as
effectively as possible in accordance with the interests and the objectives of the share
holders. As both exist for a common purpose, this study will try to answer which one
that better fulfills the purpose, by investigating Swedish companies view on the topic.
Purpose: This study will try to answer, out of Swedish companies’ perspective, what
is most effective, self-regulation, with the possibility to either comply or give an explanation
for not complying, or detailed regulation by law?
Delimitations: This study is limited to investigating companies listed on the US or
Swedish stock market. Focus is put on Sarbanes-Oxley Act and Swedish Code of Corporate
Governance, in particular their regulation of internal control.
Methodology: Initially, laws and regulations were investigated to form a framework
upon which further studies throughout the report were based. The empiric consists of
eight interviews, which were summarized and analyzed, from which conclusions were
drawn.
Result and Conclusions: There is no reason to abandon self-regulation. Instead, an
overall better framework with some compulsory rules should be developed, in order to
provide the best possible help in improving the internal control.
Suggestions on Future Studies: In would be interesting to study what view the accounting
firms have on the topic. Furthermore it would also be interesting to interview
other employees within the organizations, to learn what changes they have observed.
Finally, it would be interesting to investigate if companies have a different view on
internal control in a few years from now. | en |
