Weird Stories from the World of Accounting
From celebrity tax fraud to beauty pageants to stand-up comedy, the world of accounting is more interesting than you might think…
Miss California Loses Crown Due to Accounting Error
In December 2007, Miss Los Angeles, Christina Silver, was stripped of her Miss California crown after an error was discovered in how the contest's points were tallied. An accountant took the ranking forms from the five celebrity judges but mistakenly inverted the point system – the lowest number of points was deemed to be the winner instead of the highest number. Miss Barstow, Raquel Beezly was subsequently declared the winner. Another contestant summed up the snafu: "This just isn't adding up."
Wesley Snipes Accused of Tax Fraud
Actor Wesley Snipes, star of the Blade series of movies and many other box-office hits, is accused of conspiracy and other tax-related charges. In communications with the IRS, Snipes challenged the tax agencies policies. "That is not a crime," Snipes' lawyer told the Orlando Sentinel. "Frankly, that's America."
Babe Ruth's Nephew Convicted of Tax Fraud
Legendary Yankee slugger (and Boston Red Sox pitcher) Babe Ruth's eponymous nephew, George Herman Ruth, was convicted of filing false income tax returns and defrauding the IRS of $360,000 by a federal jury in New Jersey. The younger Ruth and a co-defendant operated their scheme from a convenient location – the Fort Dix Federal Correctional facility – where Ruth was serving a 33-month sentence for mail fraud.
O.J. Simpson and Dionne Warwick on California Delinquent Taxpayer List
Former professional football player and White Bronco driver O.J. Simpson and singer Dionne Warwick both made the State of California Franchise Tax Board's Delinquent Taxpayer list. According to the list, Warwick owes the state over $2.6 million and Simpson owes over $1.4 million. The list was headed by Rapid American Corporation. The company owes the state a whopping $26.8 million.
Are Accountants Funny?
Who said accountants don't have a sense of humor? An accounting and financial recruitment firm in Atlanta is sponsoring a "Search for the South's Funniest Accountant" contest. The 2007 version of the contest raised over $7500 well-documented dollars for charity. A sample of accountant jokes to get your comedy juices flowing:
Why did the accountant cross the road? To bore the people on the other side.
If an accountant's wife can't sleep, what does she say? "Darling, tell me about your work."