=+5. (Based on an article by nationally syndicated columnist Michael Kinsley). Michael Kinsley chides both Halliburton Corporation, a large construction company, and its auditor, Arthur Andersen, for allowing Halliburton to book a percentage of cost overruns that Halliburton has attempted to collect from customers after projects are completed but before both agreed settlements with customers and, of course, collec-

tion thereof. The practice of trying to collect cost overruns in the con-

struction industry is certainly not uncommon according to Kinsley.

Until 1998 cost overrun collections were not booked until received.

Since that time Halliburton "began guessing how much of a disputed surcharge would ultimately get paid and crediting itself in advance."

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