Can accountancy tell the truth?

Accountancy has moved to centre-stage as a result of sensational scandals which have seriously undermined faith in financial results published by companies, and also because of expectations concerning the adoption of new accounting norms in Europe. This is the climate in which Matthieu Autret and Alfred Galichon embarked on their thesis entitled Can accountancy tell the truth ? (La comptabilité peut-elle dire le vrai ?) Using the case study of a fictitious company, Cacahuète SA, they present their conclusions and pose their questions to three people who are very familiar with handling accounts. Gilbert Gélard, a member of the International Accounting Standards Board, raises the question about the quality of accounting standards. Colette Neuville, president of the association for the defence of minority shareholders, hopes that investors will be consulted in open discussion about balance sheets. Finally Alain Joly, president of the Air Liquide supervisory board, suggests a return to accountancy based on more ethical foundations.