Notable, perhaps, among retailers: the absence of top-shelf names like Target (whose accounting Audit Integrity rates as "Aggressive"), Macy's ("Aggressive") or Wal-Mart ("Very Aggressive").

FORBES: Most Trustworthy Companies

Chief executives are being asked to clean up their acts--including the reining-in of pay packages and vouching for the integrity of their companies' accounting.

FORBES: The softest pillow

We are all his victims: investment professionals, accounting, consulting and legal professionals whose integrity is called into question, the investing public and the securities markets in general.

FORBES: Taser Galleon's Rajaratnam At His Sentencing So We Can All Have A Good Laugh

We exclude firms with significant legal problems or other open-ended liabilities and also consider accounting and corporate governance scores from Audit Integrity of Los Angeles in making our final cuts.

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A. programs blend the study of traditional business topics like finance, accounting and operations with contemporary courses that help leaders take into account personal integrity, governance and the role of business in society.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Based in Los Angeles, Audit Integrity evaluates hundreds of financial items on each corporation and scores companies in three key topics: accounting and governance, financial condition and earnings quality.

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According to Audit Integrity, there is a strong correlation between poor scores on its tests and the likelihood of accounting or other irregularities cropping up at a future date.

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