The development of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) was one of the most significant portions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Required

a. What is the main rationale that led Congress to develop the PCAOB as the public company audit standard setter? For example, why do you think Congress didn't suggest instead overhauling the Auditing Standards Board of the AICPA?

b. Identify the responsibilities of the PCAOB. How does the inspection process performed by the PCAOB affect the practice of public accounting?

c. The PCAOB can have no more than two CPAs among its five members. What might be the rationale for such a requirement? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the limitation concerning CPA members on the board?

d. Who are the current members of the PCAOB and what is their background and experience related to accounting?

e. Do the audit standards set by the PCAOB apply to audits of nonpublic companies? Explain.