Andersen Worldwide names acting CEO

The chairman of Andersen Worldwide’s Board of Partners took over as acting chief executive today to try to manage an orderly dismemberment of the crisis-ridden company’s non-US operations.

The appointment of Aldo Cardoso, who also is managing partner of the Andersen Worldwide SC affiliate in France, was effective immediately, the company said. Cardoso succeeds former chief executive officer Joe Berardino, who resigned last week.

Andersen affiliates are splitting off to merge with rival accounting firms in country after country. Cardoso’s key duty as acting CEO will be to direct an orderly process in which Andersen’s individual member firms can combine with willing competitors to ensure their survival.

Andersen’s 18-member management board appointed 46-year-old Cardoso at a meeting in London. Cardoso is believed to have been the clear favourite for the position.

Berardino stepped down after a US federal grand jury indicted Andersen’s US arm on a charge of obstruction of justice for allegedly destroying documents related to failed energy trader Enron Corp.