As an ex-Big 4 auditor, I have experience of auditing both private and public US firms. Even without Sox requirements, there are enough complications in the au

As an ex-Big 4 auditor, I have experience of auditing both private and public US firms. Even without Sox requirements, there are enough complications in the audit legislation to make a private company audit less than straightforward. Trying to squeeze those regulations into a start-up type company structure is what makes up the time and cost of an audit.