The Sarbanes-Oxley Act was enacted in response to which of the following?

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act was enacted primarily in response to a series of significant corporate accounting scandals that occurred in the early 2000s, most notably the scandals involving Enron, WorldCom, and Tyco International. These scandals revealed profound issues regarding the accuracy of financial reporting and the lack of accountability among corporate executives and auditors.

The Act introduced stringent reforms aimed at enhancing corporate governance and improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures. Key provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act include the establishment of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), increased penalties for fraudulent financial activity, and enhanced requirements for financial reporting and internal controls.

By addressing the ethical and oversight deficiencies that led to these scandals, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act aims to protect investors and restore trust in the financial markets.