The U.S. Treasury’s effort to dramatically narrow the focus of the Corporate Transparency Act through “emergency” rulemaking would gut the law’s anti-money laundering efforts, a transparency expert said.
Risk Management
Posted inAccounting & Auditing
FRC launches probe into MacIntyre Hudson’s 2022 audit of collapsed LSG
The U.K. Financial Reporting Council has launched an investigation into MacIntyre Hudson’s audit of collapsed construction company ISG Limited, which abruptly entered administration in September, laying off 2,200 workers.
Posted inRegulatory Enforcement
Experts: Companies ‘underestimate risk’ as part of EU AI Act come into force
A European Union-wide ban on AI systems with “unacceptable” risk came into force on Feb. 2 as the first provisions of the EU’s AI Act took effect. Problems persist, however, over what the legislation requires and what corporate practices or uses of data may risk flouting the rules.
Posted inEurope
‘Abject failure’: U.K. lawmakers sound off on FCA’s failed ‘naming and shaming’ enforcement
U.K. lawmakers slammed the country’s chief financial regulator’s hopes of “naming and shaming” firms as part of its efforts to beef up enforcement, denting its credibility in the process and questioning the leadership of its chief executive.
Posted inAccounting & Auditing
PCAOB fines KPMG units $3.4M, PwC Singapore $1.5M for audit, independence violations
Nine affiliates of KPMG agreed to pay a total of nearly $3.4 million for alleged violations of audit and quality control standards, while PwC Singapore will pay $1.5 million to settle separate allegation that the firm manipulated independence compliance reporting.
Posted inEthics & Culture
EU drives ‘omnibus’ of simplifications through landmark sustainability reporting directives
The European Commission has adopted proposals for radical simplifications to the EU’s trailblazing environmental regulations. The commissioners argue that this is a pragmatic response to changing global economics and indicates that they have listened to the concerns of smaller businesses that are struggling to comply with onerous and conflicting rules.
Posted inRisk Management
Investment scammers, other fraudsters scored billions from consumers in 2024, FTC reports
The public reported a 25 percent increase in losses–totaling more than $12.5 billion in 2024–to investment scams, tech rip-offs, and general fraud, according to an analysis by the Federal Trade Commission.
Posted inAnti-Bribery
As DOJ pivots away from white-collar enforcement, is FCPA still relevant?
While executives and boards will never conclude that bribery is a legitimate way of doing business, understandably many have questions about how to direct their FCPA compliance program efforts and resources, write Iris Bennett and Claire Rajan, partners at law firm Steptoe.
Posted inBoards & Shareholders
Shareholders back Apple sticking to DEI goals as Trump blasts move
Tech giant Apple solidified its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at its annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday, with 97 percent of shareholders rejecting an anti-DEI proposal, according to a public filing.
Posted inAccounting & Auditing
Experts explain why IIA’s new global audit rules will be ‘central’ to securing high-quality assurance
Compliance teams should expect more support from their organization’s internal audit functions. That is the clear message from the Institute of Internal Auditors, the global body of national affiliated internal audit institutes, which has just put into action its new Global Internal Audit Standards.
