Mr. Fielstein's formula for conducting a forensic accounting investigation draws heavily on interviews, first of the potential client.

Two days later, it announced that it would delay filing its 2004 audited financial statements because of an accounting investigation.

Supporters of Mr. Parsons note that he never promised a quick or easy end to the accounting investigations.

"We are not granting interviews until our accounting investigations are complete," a spokeswoman, Romi Schutzer, said.

The announcement surprised analysts, as had previous announcements about the accounting investigations.

On Oct. 9, the company disclosed that three executives, including its chief financial officer, were leaving as a result of an internal accounting investigation.

But the action against the two executives, he added, has transformed the accounting investigation into a factor that affects the company's future.

The drumbeat for dropping AOL from the company's name began last summer along with the accounting investigations.

But executives who work with Mr. Parsons have said that, until recently, he favored keeping the name, at least until the accounting investigations were resolved.

It has not yet provided investors with audited financial statements for 2002, as the accounting investigations continue.