Which board protects investors and oversees audits of public companies?

• A. SEC
• B. AICPA
• C. IFRS
• D. PCAOB

Answer: (D)

This question focuses on the entity that protects investors by governing the audits of public companies. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board oversees the audits of publicly traded companies. Its role includes registering audit firms, establishing audit standards, and conducting inspections and disciplinary actions to ensure audit quality. This oversight helps ensure that the financial statements investors rely on are accurate and reliable, which directly protects investors.

The SEC is the broader regulator of securities markets and investor protection, but the PCAOB specifically handles audits of public companies. The AICPA is a professional body for CPAs, not a securities-auditing overseer, and IFRS are international accounting standards, not a regulatory board.