Calculated risk - financial statement manipulation and detection

In an economic downturn, the pressure to 'fix the figures' may prove hard to resist, perhaps rationalised as just to get through a difficult patch - whatever, it's still wrong. Keith Williamson of Alvarez & Marsal considers some of the many ways accounts can be falsified.

Keith Williamson (+44 (0)207 551 4970, kwilliamson@alvarezandmarsal.com), Managing Director, Disputes and Investigations, Alvarez & Marsal

In an economic downturn, the pressure to 'fix the figures' may prove hard to resist, perhaps rationalised as just to get through a difficult patch - whatever, it's still wrong. Keith Williamson of Alvarez & Marsal considers some of the many ways accounts can be falsified.