Corporate Scandals And Allegations Of Fraud - 1111 Words

Corporate scandals and accusations of fraud have amplified intensely over the last decade. The cost of fraud has reached over $400 billion dollars a year, not to mention the loss of investments and jobs. Corporation fraud involves creative, complex methods in which to overstate revenues, understate expenses, over value assets, and underreport liabilities. To hide financial problems, management will manipulate stock prices, minimize taxable income, and maximize compensation. â€Å"It s been my experience†¦ that the past always has a way of returning. Those who don t learn, or can t remember it, are doomed to repeat it† (Berry, p. 417, 2009). Enron Corporation, WorldCom, Incorporated, and Global Crossing Limited all claimed bankruptcy†¦show more content†¦Upper management abused their responsibilities by misstating financial records. Management manipulated earnings in order to make the numbers appear good so they will in turn receive a bonus. Companies su ch as Enron, WorldCom, and Global Crossing had a board of directors that simply were not doing their job of overseeing the financial reporting (Petra, 2006). Fraudulent activities were caused by conflicts of interest between the directors and executive officers. Accountants and auditors helped deceive the public by certifying that the financial statements were true and correct of fraudulent corporations. Incentives drove auditors’ behaviors to create this hidden fraudulent activity between the client and the auditor. The fear of losing the client almost guaranteed that the auditor would comply with the management’s decisions. Unfortunately, investors placed their faith in the auditors’ reports, which certified the net income was accounted for correctly. With the support of the auditors’ behaviors, these large corporations were able to hide the fraud for a long time. Enron Enron kept huge debts off the balance sheets by using off the books partnerships. This company bribed foreign governments to win contracts. Large bank borrowings were fed through fake companies formed by Enron. Money that came from borrowed resources was made to appear as funds resulting from significant trade agreements. Enron s top