Read the Case: GE: How Much Are Auditors Paid? and respond to questions $1,3,$ and $4.$

$1.$ From a conceptual standpoint, how do the requirements of Sarbanes$-$Oxley related to nonaudit services affect perceptions of the auditors' independence?

$3.$ Compare General Electric's fees prior to $2000$ and following $(2004,2010,$ and $2014)$ the implementation of Sarbanes$-$Oxley. Based on the trends in these fees and various components of these fees, comment on the effect of Sarbanes$-$Oxley on General Electric's fees.

$4.$ Repeat question $3$ for the Fortune $100$ companies, can you identify the increased costs of section $404$ compliance cited in the press?