Management often looks to large corporations for "best practice" case studies, but in the aftermath of the Enron and Worldcom scandals we can learn much from their mistakes as well. Here we feature articles designed to help businesses meet compliance requirements and avoid the enemy within.

Can Corporate Responsibility Save the Telecommunications Industry?
Whether the Corporate Corruption Bill or some other regulatory oversight will remedy turmoil in the telecommunication market, the FCC will continue to press for more regulatory enforcement authority.

Accounting Industry Reform Act
Here's a summary of the major reforms established by the new law signed by President Bush on July 30.

Your Code of Ethics: How to Manage
Risk of Fraud And Prevent "Insider Abuse"
The requirements for effective corporate governance provide a good roadmap for any business to assess risk and detect and prevent "insider abuse."

The Merrill Lynch Lesson: Broker-Dealer Incurs $500,000 Fine; Agrees to Arbitration and Compliance Review
The Merrill Lynch decision will cause broker-dealers to revisit and reinvigorate their compliance procedures to assure that registered agents conduct themselves in accordance with appropriate safeguards in order to avoid solicitation abuse.

Accounting for Stock Options:
Change at Whose Expense?
With a move afoot to require expensing stock options on company financial statements, now is the time to review stock ownership incentive plans with an eye toward both short- and long-term productivity and profitability.