Academics are prone to mythologising a lost golden age. As a result it's often hard to pinpoint what it is about new management methods that causes so much frustration and resentment. The authors look at the 'audit culture' of contemporary universities, and suggest it promotes verbal dishonesty and an atmosphere of mistrust. Specifically, they are concerned with the perception of 'audit culture' by highly motivated academic staff who have committed their careers and sense of academic self to the mission of the new universities.