Required: From an ethical perspective, discuss whether the actions of the Department of Justice were fair with regard to the employees of Arthur Andersen.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
10th Edition
ISBN:9781259964947
Author:Libby
Publisher:Libby
Chapter1: Financial Statements And Business Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1Q
icon
Related questions
Question
100%

Please answer.will definitely upvote

C22-6 Ethics, Enron, Arthur Andersen, and
Accounting Changes
In 2001, Enron Corporation filed financial
statements in which it did not consolidate vari-
ous special purpose entities, thereby keeping large
amounts of debt off its balance sheet. The com-
pany has since declared bankruptcy and admitted
that it violated GAAP. Enron's auditor, Arthur
Andersen LLP, issued an unqualified audit
opinion stating that Enron had followed GAAP.
Instead, Enron should have changed its account-
ing principles to conform to GAAP, and Andersen
should not have issued an unqualified opinion.
The U.S. Department of Justice began an
investigation of Enron and Arthur Andersen.
Some employees of Arthur Andersen shredded
certain documents related to the audit. As a result,
the firm was found guilty of obstruction of jus-
tice and therefore was no longer able to perform
audits. Only a few of the Arthur Andersen part-
ners and employees were involved in the audit and
even fewer in the shredding. However, thousands
of Arthur Andersen employees lost their jobs.
Required:
From an ethical perspective, discuss whether the
actions of the Department of Justice were fair
with regard to the employees of Arthur Andersen.
Transcribed Image Text:C22-6 Ethics, Enron, Arthur Andersen, and Accounting Changes In 2001, Enron Corporation filed financial statements in which it did not consolidate vari- ous special purpose entities, thereby keeping large amounts of debt off its balance sheet. The com- pany has since declared bankruptcy and admitted that it violated GAAP. Enron's auditor, Arthur Andersen LLP, issued an unqualified audit opinion stating that Enron had followed GAAP. Instead, Enron should have changed its account- ing principles to conform to GAAP, and Andersen should not have issued an unqualified opinion. The U.S. Department of Justice began an investigation of Enron and Arthur Andersen. Some employees of Arthur Andersen shredded certain documents related to the audit. As a result, the firm was found guilty of obstruction of jus- tice and therefore was no longer able to perform audits. Only a few of the Arthur Andersen part- ners and employees were involved in the audit and even fewer in the shredding. However, thousands of Arthur Andersen employees lost their jobs. Required: From an ethical perspective, discuss whether the actions of the Department of Justice were fair with regard to the employees of Arthur Andersen.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps with 3 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Market Efficiency
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, accounting and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
Accounting
ISBN:
9781259964947
Author:
Libby
Publisher:
MCG
Accounting
Accounting
Accounting
ISBN:
9781337272094
Author:
WARREN, Carl S., Reeve, James M., Duchac, Jonathan E.
Publisher:
Cengage Learning,
Accounting Information Systems
Accounting Information Systems
Accounting
ISBN:
9781337619202
Author:
Hall, James A.
Publisher:
Cengage Learning,
Horngren's Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis…
Horngren's Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis…
Accounting
ISBN:
9780134475585
Author:
Srikant M. Datar, Madhav V. Rajan
Publisher:
PEARSON
Intermediate Accounting
Intermediate Accounting
Accounting
ISBN:
9781259722660
Author:
J. David Spiceland, Mark W. Nelson, Wayne M Thomas
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Financial and Managerial Accounting
Financial and Managerial Accounting
Accounting
ISBN:
9781259726705
Author:
John J Wild, Ken W. Shaw, Barbara Chiappetta Fundamental Accounting Principles
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education