Right after the Enron and World Com's scandals, I feel other publically traded companies adjusted very smoothly to the SOX. Even though the cost they incurred due to the SOX is astronomical, they handled very well.
Furthermore, all the Big four managed very well for the rapid demand growth of all the new tasks related to the SOX.
Because of the growth, those companies' turnover rate surged from 10% to close to 20% which is very high compare to other industries. Therefore, even for the Big Four, the cost they incurred is astronomical. Moreover, what they lost for the SOX is not just money; it is human resources (Human Assets). It is critical to keep the retention rate high. Loosing Human Asset might not affect immediate company's sales, but it will definitely affect the company's sales in near future.
