The story of Arthur Andersen is a cautionary tale of corporate greed, deception, and the importance of integrity. Founded by Arthur Andersen in 1913, the firm grew to become one of the "Big Five" accounting firms, renowned for its rigorous standards and ethics. However, as the firm expanded into consulting, conflicts of interest began to arise, particularly with its client Enron. Despite warnings signs, Andersen's auditors gave Enron a clean bill of health, even as the company's financial situation deteriorated. When Enron's house of cards collapsed in 2001, Andersen's involvement in the scandal led to its downfall. The firm's destruction of documents and obstruction of justice charges resulted in a guilty verdict, which was later overturned by the Supreme Court in 2005. The aftermath led to the creation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, a landmark legislation aimed at protecting investors and promoting corporate transparency. Today, the story of Arthur Andersen serves as a reminder of the importance of ethics and integrity in business, and the severe consequences of compromising on these values. The impact of the scandal can still be felt, with stricter regulations and a renewed emphasis on auditor independence and professional skepticism. The tale of Arthur Andersen is a powerful reminder that in the world of business, integrity is the foundation upon which trust is built, and its absence can have far-reaching and devastating consequences.