- Methods used by Enron to manipulate accounting figures The fall of Enron was one of the highly publicised corporate failures. The directors of the company manipulated the financial statements of the company to mislead users of accounting information. The methods used by the firm included mark-to-market and off-balance sheet financing as well as interference with auditor independence.
Mark-to-market accounting
Enron changed its revenue recognition policy from the traditional revenue recognition principle to mark-to-market accounting. As an energy company, Enron’s incomes were derived from mainly the sale of natural gas. As a practice, Enron entered into several long-term contracts with ...