Voodoo Accounting

Any form of accounting that does not follow principles of conservatism. While there are many methods by which financial statements can be fudged, it always comes down to inflating revenue or hiding expenses. Examples of accounting shenanigans include the big bath, cookie jar accounting and improper recognition of revenue.

Any method that boosts profitability through accounting tricks eventually catches up with the company. As soon as it does "poof", past profits disappear like magic. (Hence the name "voodoo accounting").