Final Accounting: Ambition, Greed and the Fall of Arthur Andersen

Final Accounting by Barbara Ley Toffler is a groundbreaking exposé that delves into the unethical practices of Arthur Andersen, the legendary accounting firm that collapsed due to its involvement in the Enron scandal.

As a former Andersen partner and social scientist, Toffler provides an insider's perspective on the slow deterioration of values within the company, leading to enormous lapses in judgment among her peers. Through detailed case studies of other Andersen clients, including Sunbeam and Waste Management, Toffler illustrates how a culture of arrogance and greed infected the firm and paved the way for accounting fiascos at other major companies.

The book also reveals the peculiar process of employee indoctrination into the Andersen culture, known as "the making of an Android," and how internal infighting and billing became the all-important goals. Toffler's expertise as an ethics consultant allows her to spot and correct egregious practices within major companies, making Final Accounting a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the inner workings of the accounting industry and how it can be improved.

With its comprehensive analysis of the Enron scandal and its broader implications for corporate governance, this book is sure to spark important conversations about ethics and responsibility in business.