Accenture says federal probe looming

Technology services giant Accenture said Friday that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission plans an informal investigation of an incident involving the company. In a public filing, Accenture said the probe concerns "an incident of possible noncompliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and/or with Accenture's internal controls in connection with certain of Accenture's operations in the Middle East." The matter is also under review by the U.S. Department of Justice, Accenture said. The company first disclosed the incident in July 2003, and said it voluntarily reported the incident to the appropriate authorities in the United States. "We do not believe that this incident will have any material impact on our results of operations or financial condition," Accenture said in its filing Friday.

Accenture did not immediately respond to a call seeking additional comment.