2. SBC
3. Qwest
4. Charter Communications
5. Citigroup
6. Dell Computer
7. Comcast
8. Salomon SB
9. Bank of America
10. Oracle
11. Paypal
I work for SBC. If they're 'cooking the books' to look more attractive, it ain't working. The stock price is in the toilet and the earnings haven't been spectacular, either. Also, we received a letter from the CEO telling us we have very sound accounting practices. We do not use AA, we have Ernst Young.
Yes, he could be lying, but SBC doesn't seem to to fit the profile.
GE is another matter. That would be catastrophic.
I can buy your list-- especially Oracle. How did you arrive at it? Former Anderson clients?
I can tell you from having been both an auditor and a corporate accountant-- the integrity of the management of the company is the critical factor. The auditors aren't going to invent the methods of cooking the books, although they may buy off on it. It's company management that drives the accounting policies & procedures.