Business scandals are always with us from the South Sea Bubble to Enron and Parmalat. As accounting forms a central element of any business success or failure, the role of accounting is crucial in understanding business scandals. This book aims to explore the role of accounting, particularly creative accounting and fraud, in business scandals. The book is divided into three parts. In Part A the background and context of creative accounting and fraud is explored. Part B looks at a series of international accounting scandals and Part C draws some themes and implications from the country studies.

Business scandals are always with us from the South Sea Bubble to Enron and Parmalat. As accounting forms a central element of any business success or failure, the role of accounting is crucial in understanding business scandals. This book aims to explore the role of accounting, particularly creative accounting and fraud, in business scandals. The book is divided into three parts. In Part A the background and context of creative accounting and fraud is explored. Part B looks at a series of international accounting scandals and Part C draws some themes and implications from the country studies.

Called to Account traces the evolution of the global public accounting profession through a series of scandals leading to voluntary or mandated reforms. Ever entertaining and educational, the book describes some of the most audacious accounting frauds of the last 90 years, and identifies the accounting standards and legislation adopted as a direct consequence of each scandal. While retaining favorite chapters exposing the schemes of "Crazy Eddie" Antar and Barry "the Boy Wonder" Minkow, this fourth edition includes new material describing the accounting problems at Carillion, Wirecard and Luckin Coffee. Students will learn that financial fraud is a global problem, and that accounting reform is heavily influenced by politics. With discussion questions, and a chart mapping each chapter to topics covered in popular auditing textbooks, together with supplemental PowerPoints for instructors, Called to Account is the ideal companion for classes in auditing, fraud examination, advanced accounting, or professional responsibilities.

Called to Account traces the evolution of the global public accounting profession through a series of scandals leading to voluntary or mandated reforms. Ever entertaining and educational, the book describes 16 of the most audacious accounting frauds of the last 80 years, and identifies the accounting standards and legislation adopted as a direct consequence of each scandal. This third edition offers expanded coverage of the Global Financial Crisis and international auditing. While retaining favorite chapters exposing the schemes of "Crazy Eddie" Antar, "Chainsaw Al" Dunlap, and Barry "the Boy Wonder" Minkow, new chapters describe the accounting problems at Lehman Brothers, Colonial Bank, and Olympus. Students will learn that financial fraud is a global problem, and that accounting reform is heavily influenced by politics. With discussion questions and a chart mapping each chapter to topics covered in popular auditing textbooks, Called to Account is the ideal companion for classes in auditing, fraud examination, advanced accounting, or professional responsibilities.

Scandals relating to manipulation and fraud have dominated much of the history of business and the accounting profession in America since it’s founding. Crooks, corruption, scandals, and panics have been regular features of the business landscape, with regulations and the expansion of financial disclosure, auditing, and regulatory agencies following major debacles. Prior to the creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the 1930s and the development of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), few accounting rules existed and it is difficult to identify “accounting” scandals. Beginning with the New Deal of the 1930s, regulations of financial markets (including the SEC); the creation of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and organizations to improve and keep GAAP current (now in the hands of the Financial Accounting Standards Board); and auditing (currently under the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) improved accounting and audit practices and financial disclosures. Despite these efforts, accounting frauds continue—many in new and innovative ways. This book brings to light the importance of incentive structures of key players, consideration of economic and psychological perspectives on behavior, and the need for increasingly effective regulation, which become more obvious by considering decades of abuse. Executive compensation, pensions, market values, special purpose entities, and derivatives continue to be problematic accounting issues as they have for decades. Inside, you’ll get exposure to financial disclosure issues and other accounting risks, plus additional knowledge of accounting fraud and risk areas.

"In this book Ignacio de la Torre explains the reasons why some companies choose to influence their figures and how they do so, often by bending the rules rather than breaking them - anticipating or increasing income, reducing or delaying the recognition of expenses and shifting away debts or losses. He also shows us how to spot such tricks and correctly interpret financial reports." "Written in a clear and enjoyable style, the wealth of international case studies from companies such as Repsol, L'Oreal, Vivendi, Universal and Vodafone and public bodies such as the Greek government and the European Union, and the subsequent detail of analysis, make this book appealing reading for all professionals of the accounting world as well as those who simply want to know the truth behind the headlines."--BOOK JACKET.

Bringing light to the dark side of business The number of high-profile accounting scandals is increasing. Accounting fraud is a real threat to modern business. The damage may be devastating, both financially and reputationally. No company – big or small – is immune to risk. The need for fraud prevention is critical. In this casebook, with forty-four prominent examples drawn exclusively from real-world fraud cases, Klaus Henselmann and Stefan Hofmann provide comprehensive and crucial knowledge about the topic of accounting fraud: - Unparalleled insights on the scams used by corporate executives to perpetrate accounting fraud - In-depth coverage of the scandalous events at major corporations that have caused so much panic and trauma throughout the world - A thorough examination of the circumstances leading to these corporate governance fiascos and public relations disasters - ?Useful practice aids for fraud-fighters, including a schedule of early warning signs, an “ethics barometer”, and an inquiry guide for fraud interviews This book is an invaluable resource to senior executives, financial officers, board members, audit committee members, auditors, attorneys, investors and many others. A must-read for anyone who cares about compliance and corporate integrity!