Voodoo Accounting

See: Voodoo Economics.

Using black magic and hexes to get your financial results to look better.

Also, the term refers to using, um...less supernatural means to achieve the same goal.

Voodoo accounting refers to any aggressive accounting practice used to improve a company's financial results. Most of these moves step over the ethical line; the accountant is purposely bending the truth with the numbers getting reported. Typically, the goal is to increase profitability, often in an attempt to attact further investment. It might include things like hiding expenses or boosting revenue figures.