We're nice guys

After the Satyam scandal, the reputation of chartered accountants has undoubtedly taken a beating. At a recent conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), a senior official tried to remedy matters by claiming that the profession was the noblest of all. A doctor, he argued, always wished there would be more disease and bad health in order to get more patients. A lawyer wanted cases to go on forever to make more money. Only CAs, he said, wanted his client to prosper since it made them prosperous, too. Any takers for the line?