The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved the 2026 budget for the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, along with the related accounting support fee, reinforcing its statutory oversight role under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The PCAOB’s 2026 budget totals $362.1 million, representing a 9.4% reduction, or $37.6 million, from the prior year. The plan includes significant compensation cuts, with a 52% reduction for the chairperson and a 42% reduction for other Board members. The accounting support fee will total $306 million, down 18.4% from 2025. Of that amount, $280.3 million will be assessed on public company issuers and $25.7 million on brokers and dealers.
SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins highlighted that the approval reflects the balance between investor protection and cost discipline. He said, “All regulators, including the Commission and the PCAOB, must continually assess how and whether current approaches to fulfilling the Board’s responsibilities provide benefits to investors without imposing excessive burdens on businesses,” adding that the PCAOB “must exhibit a strong commitment to responsible stewardship of the accounting support fee,” which functions as a levy on regulated entities. SEC Chief Accountant Kurt Hohl said the reduction shows progress but said further review is needed, adding that the SEC remains committed to strong, transparent oversight of the PCAOB.
