Unfortunately, even when auditors certify that company has prepared its financial reports properly, they cannot always be certain that all figures are 100 percent accurate. Because a company's books are not open to public scrutiny, it is possible for a company to distort its financial status. Accounting scandals occur because of dishonesty, questionable accounting practices, or outright criminal behavior. Although the accounting profession and government agencies have attempted to reform some of these abuses, the principle of caveat emptor - let the buyer beware- must still guide one's financial transactions.