The Securities and Exchange Commission deadline for chief executives and chief financial officers to certify their financial results is 14 August. Ahead of Cisco's report, rumors swirled that Chambers and chief financial officer Larry Carter wouldn't certify results. The company shot down such talk. Given that Cisco's fiscal year ended on 27 July, later than many companies, Cisco has more time to certify its results -- and expects to certify by late September, Cisco executives said Tuesday. "We have been very supportive with the substance and intent of the new requirements. We have no hesitancy (in) signing the certification," Chambers said. Analysts said Cisco's previous accounting methods are what's causing concern. Notably, Cisco took a $2.25bn inventory write-down in May 2001 and has brought back reserves to help quarters in 2002. To its credit, however, Cisco has largely allayed those concerns by disclosing more about its financials and improving operations. "Cisco has come under criticism in the past for its financial accounting," said Alex Henderson, an analyst at Salomon Smith Barney in a research note. "We believe most of these issues are largely behind the company, but some investors may be hesitant about making greater commitments to the stock until overall market sensitivity to accounting issues subsides." News.com's Larry Dignan contributed to this story.
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