O'Neill Urges CEOs: Certify Financials Before Aug. 14

ByJohn S. McClenahen CEOs of the largest U.S. companies are under a Securities & Exchange Commission mandate to certify -- or re-certify -- their recent financial statements by Aug. 14. But Treasury Secretary Paul H. O'Neill, a former CEO of Alcoa Inc., is urging chief executives not to wait until the deadline to file. And, adds O'Neill, "I am confident that no CEO will take the risk of certifying falsely."