Huron Consulting's attractive saga quickly losing its feel-good...

For a firm born with a scarlet letter -- "A" for Arthur Andersen -- on its lapel, Huron Consulting should have been the very last to get into an ethically compromised accounting fix.

[John]

I am not sure at the "Kickbacks? Until then it had appeared the main concern revolved around executives at firms being bought by Huron who had benefited personally in ways that might not pass accounting muster." comment. Many people with knowledge of a transaction scenario and how earnout payments are paid and recorded thought that the language was pretty direct in indicating kickback payments.

[Andersen Alum]

I am glad I decided to get as far away as possible from Andersen when the firm collapsed. I feel sorry for all of the folks who "drank the Kool Aid" at Huron. It's amazing that some former Andersen partners still operate with no ethics. Most people don't realize this kind of unethical behavior went on for many years at Andersen, long before Enron hit the headlines.

[Quack Quack]

I don't see how this firm can survive. It's one thing to have a "rogue" partner, as many accounting firms have had, but to have your CEO involved, and have it be tied to your own acquisitions is tough to get passed. Any company hiring them for consulting on "complex accounting rules" would have their results severely scrutinized by regulators. Looks like the Andersen partners f'd up another company. No surprise there.

[Mick]

The USA is full of enterprises run by rebranded criminals. Why would you think the principals conduct would change because the sign changed? Look at all the enterprises polluted by former Continental Bank Executives. They prey on the huberis, ignorance, and plain stupidity of their clients/customers who failed to perform or ignored due dilligence.