Should the PCAOB be Merged into the SEC?

Authors

• Daniel Millson, St. John Fisher University

Document Type

Poster Presentation

Publication Date

4-17-2026

Keywords

fsc2026

Abstract

For my keystone project, I researched the ongoing policy debate surrounding the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and whether it should be merged into the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The PCAOB was established under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 following major accounting scandals at companies like Enron and WorldCom, and its goal is to protect investors by ensuring public company audits are accurate and independent. I wrote a research paper analyzing both sides of the debate, looking at arguments for consolidation like potential cost savings of around $771 million over ten years, as well as arguments against it, like the risk of losing the specialized audit oversight the PCAOB has built since 2002. After weighing both perspectives, I concluded that the PCAOB should remain independent, as eliminating it could weaken investor protections that millions of Americans rely on for their retirement savings and investments.

Comments

Poster presented at the 2026 Fisher Showcase, St. John Fisher University, April 17, 2026.

Publication Information

Millson, Daniel, "Should the PCAOB be Merged into the SEC?" (2026). Fisher Showcase 2026. Paper 206.
https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/fsc2026/206

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