Now Andersen, Tomorrow Accenture, They’ve got a lot of Selling to do
R. Krause - November 8, 2000

Event Summary

Andersen Consulting (let's call it AC) has finally announced its new name: Accenture. This comes on the heels of the arbitrator's report on August 7, in which the long battle with Arthur Andersen was finally resolved (see our article: Implications and Attitudes As the Andersen's Split under the ICC Ruling: Consulting To Go for a Name Change). AC has undergone major transformations over the past year, and its new name is intended to symbolize a new beginning. Developing a new name has been on the drawing board since well before the arbitrator's report was issued. AC's connection and confusion with Arthur Andersen (from which it essentially branched off in 1989) has long been a thorn in its side, although it also enabled Andersen to be identified (for good or ill) in the marketplace. Arthur Andersen can still use the name AC if it wants, but if they do, the name change from AC to Accenture will not eliminate the confusion. The SEC inquiry and future ruling on auditor independence may have an impact on this situation...