Preface
Enron, WorldCom and Parmalat are well-known accounting scandals. However, what is not so well known is that every country has its own accounting scandals. The basic motivation for this book is to explore the role of accounting, particularly creative accounting and fraud, in accounting scandals across different countries. I therefore approached people from different countries to see if they would be prepared to help me. In almost every case they did not say ‘what accounting scandals?’ but ‘which accounting scandals would you like me to write about?’
Accounting scandals, by their nature, are extreme cases. They generally involve creative accounting and fraud. The title of the book reflects this: Creative Accounting, Fraud and International Accounting Scandals. This book covers 58 high-profile accounting scandals across 12 countries. However, it also deals with many other cases of creative accounting and fraud.
Accounting scandals are inherently interesting because they indicate extreme abuse of financial reporting. They show how, in extremis, the accounting numbers can be manipulated so as to deceive and defraud. This book provides an insight into the methods of creative accounting and fraud, the motivations that underpin the scandals and the consequences of the scandals, both in the short term and the long term.
The book aims to inform. The information is presented in as accessible a way as possible. There is a focus on presenting the big picture. The book should prove ...
