The massive Tata business empire and the Parsi family of the same name that has overseen that empire since its inception have helped shape the economic and politi cal history of India over the past century In recent years, however, the Tata Group and its senior executives have laced a prolracted and widely publicized accounting scandal that threatens to undercut the credibility and prestige olthe prominent orga- nization and ils founding family. The scandal has already taken a toll on the reputa tion of India's largest accounting firm that is closely athlialed with the Tata Group