Creative Accounting, Fraud and International Accounting Scandals

From the South Sea Bubble to Enron and Parmalat, business scandals have a long and varied history which continues into the present day. As accounting is central to the success or failure of any business, so creative accounting has always played a key role in these scandals, reflecting the extremes of how numbers can be manipulated to deceive or even defraud. Creative Accounting, Fraud and International Accounting Scandals explores the role of accounting, particularly creative accounting and fraud in business scandals from around the world. It features a collection of 13 chapters by international authors, which detail accounting fraud and scandals in both developed and developing economies including Australia, China, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden the UK and US. To enhance the international perspective even further, a series of case studies, contributed by accounting experts, is also included. This unique, global perspective on accounting scandals provides the background for discussion on the role of powerful individuals, the motives and methods of management who are complicit in these scandals and the failures of internal control and external auditing, as well as the long term impact of business scandals on the regulatory environment. One of the few books on this subject, its accessible treatment of this relevant topic is fascinating reading for a wide audience. It also provides a highly useful reference for professional accountants and business people worldwide and students taking courses in forensic accounting and fraud, as well as providing more general background for most accounting courses.