Yafu, there is more truth to that than most people realize. As I have said before,cash flow assumption, reserves, timing of recognition, unreserved write-offs, and a host of other things can change the numbers. What you want it to be can also depend on your need to get financing (more profit) or tax consequence (less profit). The accountant must do all of these things within the law, agency compliance and auditor auspices. But, there is room and the answer is that there really is no answer. There are inumerable answers and they will all get an unqualified statement from an auditor if it is legal. Based on Enron, I guess it doesn't always have to be legal but the consequences are more than I would want to risk and never have.
Been there, seen it!
