Articles | Compliance Week – Page 296
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Seasonal Employees Can Bring Not-So-Merry Risks
Image: For any company that depends on seasonal workers, don’t overlook the need to give that group compliance training. Even temporary workers need to review the Code of Conduct and have access to the reporting hotline. “There are no exemptions in what constitutes an effective compliance program ... for short-term ...
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Frameworks and Leadership on Cyber-Risks
As cyber-security attacks become everyday news, companies are racing to identify and mitigate their risks. Some of that is “pure” IT security; much of it is about applying a control framework smartly to new technologies—and empowering the right person to oversee these risks. “Companies ... for the most part are ...
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Companies Struggle Over When to Report They’ve Been Hacked
Image: When a company discovers that sensitive data has been compromised, two of the toughest decisions that it faces are whether and when to let regulators, customers, and the public know about the loss. While companies may be hesitant, government officials say they can help. “Getting search warrants, arrest warrants, ...
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ArticleAre Auditors Making Unnecessary Demands on Internal Control Documentation?
As many companies finish work on a new framework for internal controls, a small number of them are starting to question their external auditors’ documentation requirements and are considering pushing back. Lillian Barlett, vice president of risk management and internal audit at SunOpta, for example, says the documentation requests are ...
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Why Anti-Money Laundering Programs Aren’t Just for Banks Anymore
Image: After years of hunting money launderers by scrutinizing transaction at big banks, regulators are widening their nets to include luxury goods retailers, casinos, technology companies, and others. The Feds are holding more businesses accountable for questionable transactions and pushing those at risk to beef up AML compliance. “All companies, ...
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SEC Whistleblower Program’s Latest Threat: Its Success
Corporate compliance officers may have a new reason to be uncomfortable with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s whistleblower program: how well it appears to be working. Tips are flooding into the SEC, including 3,620 in fiscal year 2014 alone. “The SEC has institutionally embraced the whistleblower statute,” says Brian Kenney, ...
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Hidden Complexity in the New Rules for Revenue Recognition
Financial reporting and auditing experts are warning companies of surprises they may encounter as they continue to work their way through 700 pages of new accounting rules on how to recognize revenue in their financial statements beginning in 2017. The accounting standard update requires several new disclosures, for example. “There ...
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ArticleNew Bribery Index Aimed at Corporate Use
Companies have a new resource to help assess bribery and corruption risks in the countries where they operate, one that aims to be more meaningful to global companies than Transparency International’s widely used Corruption Perceptions Index. Trace International’s TRACE Matrix is intended specifically for corporate use, and it analyzes four ...
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CFPB Proposes New Rules for Prepaid Cards, Mobile Payments
Banks, retailers, online services, and others that issue prepaid cards to consumers will soon have some new rules to follow, including the need to conduct “ability to repay” assessments if they offer credit options. The rules, proposed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, could also bring new regulations to mobile ...
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Behind the Latest Push to Win Proxy Access for Shareholders
Image: Title: StringerThree years after a lawsuit scuttled the SEC’s proxy access rule, a new push is underway to give shareholders the right to nominate directors directly on the proxy. New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, on behalf of the $160 billion New York City pension funds, recently submitted proxy ...
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ArticleAre Your Business Partners Letting the Hackers In?
For Target, it was a heating and air conditioning company. At a large oil company it was a nearby Chinese restaurant. Hackers increasingly use third-party relationships to gain access to computer networks and steal data. The trend means that companies need to conduct even better due diligence on third-party relationships ...
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COSO Framework Has Applications Beyond Financial Reporting
Image: As companies put the finishing touches on the adoption of the updated framework for internal controls, many are realizing that there are hidden benefits to the work. Audit experts say there are several other areas where elements of the updated COSO framework can apply, such as divisional reporting, customer ...
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Antitrust Division to Increase Use of Probation in Enforcement
Image: Title: SnyderThe Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice has signaled a shift in its enforcement approach concerning companies that violate antitrust laws and don’t have effective compliance programs. During two recent speeches, Antitrust officials said they would seek court-supervised probation in such cases. “Conversely, companies that can demonstrate ...
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Making Codes of Conduct More Usable and Engaging
Image: Title: BanksMany companies are looking to breathe more life into their staid and dusty codes of conduct. They’re cutting out the legal language and paying more attention to design and usability. Some leading companies are putting them online with multi-media aspects, including videos. “You want to present information so ...
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Wanted: Compliance Officers With Leadership, Communication Skills
Image: Chief compliance officers are still in high demand, but the skills that companies are looking for in top candidates are changing. Companies are seeking compliance leaders who have the ability to influence others, communicate effectively, and build relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including regulators. ...
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Companies Fall Behind on Preparing for Revenue Recognition Rules
Image: Title: Mirando-GouldAccounting experts say that most companies will not be prepared to follow new revenue recognition accounting rules at the start of next year, the ideal date for those that want to be ready for a full retrospective adoption. Meanwhile, officials at the Financial Accounting Standards Board say they ...
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ArticleShop Talk: Laying the Foundation of Good Compliance and Governance.
True, one size does not fit all, but there are still some common aspects that most high-functioning compliance and governance programs share, such as fostering a strong ethical culture, communicating effectively, and retaining a level of independence. During our latest executive roundtable, hosted with The Boeing Co. in Dallas, compliance ...
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ArticleShop Talk: Laying the Foundation of Good Compliance and Governance
True, one size does not fit all, but there are still some common aspects that most high-functioning compliance and governance programs share, such as fostering a strong ethical culture, communicating effectively, and retaining a level of independence. During our latest executive roundtable, hosted with The Boeing Co. in Dallas, compliance ...
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Roundtable Biographies – 11/06/14
On Nov. 6, Compliance Week and Boeing presented an editorial roundtable at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Dallas. The focus of the roundtable, which was moderated by Executive Editor Joseph McCafferty, was on structuring compliance and ethics. Attendees’ full biographies are below.Candice AaronChief Compliance Officer, Equipment & Commercial DivisionGeneral Electric Candice ...
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A New Congress Will Bring New Chances to Alter Regulatory Landscape
The midterm elections brought a much stronger position in Congress to Republicans. While it may not be enough to give them the clout they need to make vast legislative changes, it has given them hold on the purse strings. With control of the budgeting process, and a potential new willingness ...