How Readable are SOX 404 Reports? An Application of Textual Analysis

Abstract

This study examines all SOX 404 reports issued between 2004 and 2014 to determine their readability as measured by the FOG index after controlling for report size. We find that managements' reports are more readable than auditors' reports. Big 6 reports are less readable than non-Big 6 reports. Among the Big 4 firms, two firms issued significantly more readable reports than the others. The readability of managements' reports decreased after Auditing Standard (AS) No. 5 (PCAOB 2007) was issued whereas the readability of auditors' reports did not change. Reports containing three or more weaknesses (implying entity level control weaknesses) are significantly more readable than other reports.