While IGT may have fallen behind in coming up with flashy new games, the company manages to keep its customers in line by dominating the back room with accounting software that keeps a real-time record of the money that's being won and lost on each slot machine.

FORBES: High Stakes

The substance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Berkowitz's line of questioning yesterday was about Enron's accounting devices, with names like LJM and Raptor.

NPR: Skilling Continues to Assert Innocence at Enron Trial

There are 57 Tiffany stores in Japan today, accounting for less of its top-line revenue, about 18% of sales, which is now about even with the sales generated by the 45 stores in the rest of Asia and 27 stores in Europe combined, Lakner says.

FORBES: Japan Earthquake Throws Tiffany Off-Kilter, Stock Falls 5%

And the main thing that I have found is that there are three fairly small centers of the economy that are accounting for more than half of the bund line: lawyers, finance and real estate.

NPR: Three Sectors Dominate Campaign Bundling

Fourth, and finally, the manner in which public companies deal with accounting-related problems may be impacting the enforcement bottom line.

FORBES: Accounting Fraud Cases Are Dead. Long Live Accounting Fraud Cases.

The change of accounting treatment for options pushed their financial impact to the profit line of the company.

FORBES: Bring Back Stock Options And Million Dollar Secretaries

We were afraid to find ourselves with the worst of both worlds: an old accounting system no longer functioning and a new one not yet on line.

FORBES: 3 Keys to Competing

While such a toe-the-line decision would generate sighs of relief in the boardrooms of otherwise culpable investment banks, accounting firms and law firms, it is the groans of disappointment at the kitchen tables of victimized shareholders that should ultimately resonate more loudly.

FORBES: Roe Vs. Wade For The Securities Industry

According to experts previously involved in their construction, the General Accounting Office, a congressional committee and NBC News, if allowed to come on line, the shoddy construction, defective materials and unsafe design of these reactors would more likely than not result in a catastrophic nuclear accident.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy