Final answer:
Stringent 21st-century accounting regulations, particularly the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, have resulted in increased transparency in financial reporting to prevent fraud and protect investors.
Step-by-step explanation:
One result of stringent 21st-century accounting regulations is increased transparency in financial reporting. This has been largely driven by legislation such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which was enacted in response to major accounting scandals. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act aimed to prevent accounting fraud and protect investors by enhancing financial disclosures and requiring stricter internal controls.
The primary focus of these regulations is to ensure that companies present a true and fair view of their financial position to stakeholders, thus increasing investor confidence. While these regulations have made financial reports more detailed and complex, their underlying purpose has been to provide a clear, accurate depiction of a company's financial health. In contrast, options b, c, and d do not accurately represent the impact of modern accounting regulations; government oversight has increased rather than decreased, financial statements have become more detailed, and accounting standards have not been eliminated but rather strengthened.