Synopsis

A recent surge of accounting scandals – Enron, Worldcom, Ahold, Parmalat, Tyco, Shell, among them – shows no sign of abating. As *The Economist* notes, the chief executives of publicly traded multinational corporations are facing a difficult period. Beyond the scrutiny of legal authorities, the media, and investors regarding these fraudulent activities, stock prices have plummeted, and public outcry over executive compensation continues unabated.