All Compliance Week articles in Web Issue – Page 586
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ArticleSEC fines energy company $300K over rubber stamp internal controls
Image: A recent SEC action against a company for maintaining insufficient internal controls signals a new effort from federal authorities to hold companies to higher standards when it comes to internal control material weaknesses and significant deficiencies. “This is a case that doesn’t have a punchline,” says Tom Sporkin, a ...
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Article
Indian Supreme Court ruling expands FCPA coverage
Image: A landmark judgment issued by the Indian Supreme Court could have the broader effect of significantly expanding the compliance risk that companies face under numerous anti-bribery laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. CW’s Jaclyn Jaeger examines this latest development that, according to FTI Consulting’s Anuj Bugga, “introduces ...
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Blog
SFO brings more charges in Alstom case
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office has brought further charges as part of its ongoing investigation of Alstom Network U.K., a U.K. subsidiary of French engineering company Alstom, this time against Alstom’s country president for the United Kingdom and managing director of Alstom Transport U.K. and Ireland. He is the seventh ...
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Article
A global glimpse at whistleblower protections in OECD countries
More OECD countries have put in place dedicated whistleblower protection laws in the past five years than in the previous quarter century, according to analysis by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. But what’s a compliance officer to do when whistleblower protection laws in foreign countries directly contradict whistleblower ...
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Blog
Is Venezuela’s state oil company creating the next Petrobras scandal?
While Petrobras currently holds the title as the most corrupt national energy company in South America, Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) is a strong contender as well, thanks to ongoing U.S. investigations into possible FCPA violations involving U.S. companies, Swiss banks, and corrupt PDVSA officials.
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Blog
The auditor as behavioral scientist
Image: Inside, CW columnist Jose Tabuena examines the power of data analytics and predictive models to assess compliance effectiveness and encourage employees toward acting responsibly, thereby ensuring an ethical workplace. But, Tabuena advises, keep in mind that predictive models only yield benefits if used appropriately.
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Blog
In defense of auditors
Companies do a lot of complaining about auditors, but it seems like the auditor is in a no-win situation. In an attempt to get auditor and client on the same page, CW’s Scott Taub covers a few of the most common complaints about auditors, along with a few thoughts on ...
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Blog
Duff & Phelps enhances cyber-security practice
Duff & Phelps, a global valuation and corporate finance advisor, last week launched new cyber-security services that assist financial services companies in identifying and reducing cyber-security risk. This enhanced service offering enables the firm to manage cyber-security risk at every stage of preparedness
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Blog
Nasdaq acquires Boardvantage
Nasdaq this month entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Boardvantage, a board portal solution provider that also specializes in leadership collaboration and meeting productivity, for $200 million. The acquisition of Boardvantage, along with the recently closed purchase of Marketwired, is expected to strengthen Nasdaq's position as a global ...
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Blog
Oversight launches new Intelligent Case Assignment capability
Oversight Systems, an operational expense analysis company, has launched its new Intelligent Case Assignment capability, which helps ensure that line-of-business managers responsible for expense control and transaction monitoring efficiently address risk and financial anomalies. This solution guarantees team members’ time is invested in the highest priority anomalies.
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Article
As SEC targets EB-5 fraud, the visa program could raise money laundering risks
Image: A government program that grants visas to overseas investors is more popular than ever. The problem: Critics say it is rife with the potential for fraud and money laundering risks. “You can see which way the winds are blowing,” says Eric Berg, special counsel for Foley & Lardner. “The ...
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Blog
White details how SEC may utilize budget boost
Image: Defending a proposed $1.8 billion budget for the SEC before Congress, Chairman Mary Jo White provided a look at its future efforts. The proposed funding will allow the agency to hire an additional 250 staff in “critical, core areas,” White said. Goals include increasing examination coverage of investment advisers; ...
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Blog
Workwave names chief compliance officer
WorkWave, a provider of cloud-based software solutions for field service management and “last mile” fleet management, has appointed Perry Pappas as general counsel and chief compliance officer. As a member of WorkWave’s senior management team, Pappas will be responsible for all legal and compliance aspects of WorkWave’s rapidly expanding domestic ...
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Blog
Zimmer Biomet: FCPA probe remains ongoing
Medical device maker Zimmer Biomet Holdings (formerly Biomet) is still under investigation by the Justice Department and SEC for possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act regarding its operations in Brazil and Mexico. As a result, a three-year deferred prosecution agreement that Biomet entered into with the Justice Department ...
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Resource
e-Book: Modern Technology: Changing the Face of Audit
Advanced IT to improve monitoring and testing exists, but integrating those solutions into corporate data warehouses and business operations is harder than first thought. In this e-Book, produced by Compliance Week in cooperation with Workiva, we look at how companies can effectively revisit ERP systems or try new software.Also, now ...
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Blog
Utah plays shame game with “White Collar Crime Offender Registry"
Utah’s “White Collar Crime Offender Registry”—its effort to identify and shame its white-collar criminals—is now up and running. The Registry lists over 100 offenders in alphabetical order, including mug shot, birthday, height, weight, and “Qualifying Convictions.” Offenders will remain on it for (a) a period of 10 years for a ...
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Blog
France fines Google $112,000 over right to be forgotten
France’s data protection regulator has fined Google €100,000 (U.S. $112,000) after it refused to comply with the regulator’s order to remove URLs from search results everywhere. The fine follows a May 2014 ruling by the European Union Court of Justice, affording European citizens the right to ask search engine providers ...
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Blog
Vail Resorts names chief accounting officer
Vail Resorts has appointed Ryan Siurek as controller and chief accounting officer, effective April 18. He will assume these responsibilities from Mark Schoppet, who will retire following the completion of a transition period.
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BlogNew restatement data show differences across audit firms
Research from Audit Analytics shows that even among the Big 4 there are differences in how likely a given filing will lead to a restatement. Big 4 firms were behind 44 material restatements out of 4,454 filings, for a rate of 0.99 percent. Among national firms Grant Thornton, BDO USA, ...
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Blog
SEC requires ExxonMobile, Chevron climate change resolutions
The SEC has denied efforts by ExxonMobil and Chevron to exclude shareholder resolutions seeking additional disclosures related to climate change. The decision was detailed in recent no-action letters issued by the Division of Corporation Finance. A coalition of investors want the companies to “stress test” and disclose the effect ...