The student is required to do a paper ranging in length from two to three pages of substantive text, excluding the cover page, pictures, charts, graphics, and bibliography. The paper will be single-spaced with one inch margins and with 12 pitch font size. Your paper should include a cover page (setting forth the title of the paper, your name, the course number, and the date), and a bibliography. Your paper should include an introductory paragraph, a comprehensive but concise analysis of the topic, and a conclusion paragraph.

There should be at least four references, all of which should be taken from the Internet. The references should be from authoritative sources, such as from business and accounting periodicals – not merely statements from an individual’s Web page. It is best to make a hard copy or disk copy of the Internet reference to retain it. Often, the reference disappears after a period of time. Textbooks, Wikipedia or other online encyclopedias, and technical manuals may not be used as references.

The paper, including citations and bibliographical reference, is to be done according to the APA rules of style. 

Topic for the research paper.  The Sarbanes Oxley Act and the changes that it has brought to the auditing profession and its clients. Your paper should briefly discuss the additional/new rules imposed by the Sarbanes Oxley Act on the auditing profession and its clients. Your paper should address how the auditing profession and its clients have been affected in practice by discussing, among other issues, how the auditing profession has had to change its practices to adjust to the Sarbanes Oxley requirements, the additional costs incurred by the auditing profession and its clients as a result of the Sarbanes Oxley requirements, the pros and cons of the Sarbanes Oxley Act from the perspectives of the auditing profession, industry, the SEC, scholars, etc., and whether the Sarbanes Oxley Act requirements have been relaxed with respect to certain groups (ie., small businesses) or whether there has there been discussion to that effect? Additionally, you should discuss your thoughts on the successes and failures of the Sarbanes Oxley Act.