$1.$ Mission is to protect investors and maintain the integrity of the securities markets

$2.$ Set$($s$)$ auditing standards for independent auditors $($CPAs$)$ of public companies

$3.$ Develop$($s$)$ and adopt$($s$)$ generally accepted accounting principles $($GAAP$)$

$4.$ Their independent verification reduces the risk that the company's financial condition is misrepresented in the statements