Inside the Mind of the CCO: Compliance in an uncertain world, still with fuzzy reporting lines
The world is rapidly changing. The European Union is stepping up rules and enforcement, while the United Kingdom is charting its own course. And now the United States is taking a third tack, with unclear regulation enforcement under a mercurial Donald Trump’s second term as president underway.
Survey: Compliance, now at leadership table, navigates an uncertain risk landscape
At a time when the Trump administration is rewriting many of the rules, the compliance function is being embraced as a strategic partner to the C-suite and board, Compliance Week’s 2024 “Inside the Mind of the CCO” survey shows. The new objective: risk-assess the implications of Trump’s confetti of executive ...
Survey: Compliance faces ‘epistemic risk’ of Trump administration
Compliance officers are coping with uncertainty following President Trump’s election win, with fewer choosing to disclose their political affiliations in this year’s pulse survey. Since Inauguration Day, the President’s actions have signaled a capricious era of compliance, one where respect for dissent might be in question.
CPE Webcast: Building A Whistleblower Program That Drives Real Outcomes
This session explores how leading Ethics & Compliance teams are aligning their global whistleblower programs and investigations teams. Learn how these teams are navigating regulatory requirements, aligning internal processes, and using data to evaluate and improve their programs.
UnitedHealth reportedly investigated for Medicare fraud following CEO departure
UnitedHealth Group is being investigated by the Department of Justice for possible Medicare fraud, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. The move, which has not so far been announced publicly, follows the sudden departure of its CEO.
ADQ’s Fatima Almarzooqi is Compliance Week’s 2025 Rising Star in Compliance Award Winner
Fatima Almarzooqi, senior compliance specialist at ADQ, has spent five years in the industry, working across direct engagement with subsidiary leadership, regulatory advisory, and the implementation of wide-scale compliance initiatives. But it’s her thoughtful and fun ideas that made her a Rising Star in Compliance at the 2025 Excellence in ...
Tesla turmoil, Kohls dismissal mark rare public rebukes of executive leadership
Two CEOs of high-profile American companies received rare public votes of no-confidence from their boards of directors this week, just as attendees at Compliance Week’s 20th Anniversary National Conference discussed their role in upholding business ethics and executive accountability.
After fighting the good fight, here’s how you know it’s time to leave a company
As conversations about corporate accountability increasingly turn to include questions about “tone from the top” and the responsibility of senior leadership and boards of directors, compliance professionals are increasingly discussing what to do when they see executive wrongdoing. The answer, one panelist who’d help lead a multinational company said, is ...
2025 Compliance Week Mentor of the Year, Lisa Fine, is a hub of the community
Compliance professionals may not typically pick their careers as children or straight out of school. For many people who do find their way into the profession, they quickly learn that education, a strong community, and mutual support are keys to success. Lisa Fine, Senior Director, Global Ethics & Compliance at ...
Ellen Hunt, CW’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award winner
Ellen M. Hunt, CW’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award winner, is a torchbearer for the profession and a beloved role model in E&C circles. Lauded for her generosity of spirit, quick wit, and tireless mentorship, the ethics and compliance veteran turned compliance from a patchwork assignment to a true vocation. ...
Mental health is a rampant issue for cyber pros, and it needs more attention
Cybersecurity has become one of the most important parts of business operations, particularly as companies face a data breach, attack, or disruption of service. But the impact this responsibility is having on cyber pros needs more attention.
Ethics education is key, says Tom Hardin AKA “Tipper X”
Tom Hardin AKA “Tipper X” went from a young trader with his whole career ahead of him to an inside trader who got caught, acted as a Federal Bureau of Investigation informant for two years, and pleaded guilty to a felony.
Success in upper management is about relationships, not skills
The compliance world is filled with numbers, rules and regulations. But the soft skills of management and relationships are critical too, and they can make the difference between making it to higher level leadership or not.
If artificial intelligence screws up, you’re probably using the wrong one
As companies increasingly test artificial intelligence throughout their workforce and product lines, early adopters say an important rule is to pick the right AI for the job.
Under intense pressure, former DOJ Polite says it’s compliance’s time to shine
Like never before in modern American history, ethics and compliance are under attack.
Photo gallery: Compliance Week 20th Anniversary National Conference
More than 400 attendees gathered at the Mayflower Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C. for Compliance Week’s 20th annual National Conference from April 28-29. The conference gathers compliance professionals and their peers from around the globe to share best practices and discuss key issues and regulatory developments.
Excellence in Compliance highlights critical leadership in unstable times
Doing your best isn’t just for when things are easy. And life in the compliance world has rarely been harder.
Despite uncertainty, whistleblowers still have incentives to report misconduct
Whistleblowing in the United States is being buffered by uncertainty from regulators who are backing off policing corruption and consumer protections. Regulators like the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission are being thrown into disarray by layoffs and restructuring. Still, whistleblowers will likely continue coming forward.
Networking is key for women in compliance
Compliance can be a highly fulfilling job but one that is tough and sometimes lonely, too. But participants at the Women in Compliance Brunch & Learn session at Compliance Week’s 20th anniversary national conference agreed community was the solution, though it can come in different ways.
Directors should be more accountable for failure, while also taking more risks, says U.K. regulator
Director accountability is back in the spotlight in the U.K., even as the government pushes for regulatory simplification to cut red tape and drive growth. This raises questions about how boards can be encouraged to take risks to grow their businesses while also being held more accountable for governance failings. ...
Ex-FBI informant says three things can save companies from themselves
Tom Hardin paid the price for crossing legal and ethical lines as a financial analyst accused of insider trading in one of the most notorious Wall Street scandals. Now he’s on a mission to save businesses from themselves. A keynote speaker at Compliance Week National, he built a second career ...
Survey highlights demand for quick, customizable, and cost-effective compliance training
Compliance training has become less expensive and more customizable to keep up with the constant rule changes, according to a new survey by microlearning training platform Ethena and Compliance Week.
Should Tesla board, compliance rein in Musk? Expert says tech tycoon ‘doubly untouchable’
Tesla’s chief executive Elon Musk has admitted he’s leading his businesses “with great difficulty” while serving as President Trump’s senior adviser. The carmaker’s shareholders are openly questioning his bandwidth. Why isn’t Tesla’s board firing him? He’s “doubly untouchable,” a corporate governance expert says.
When it comes to trust, make sure to verify
The increasing efforts to fight modern slavery across the globe are getting a boost from EU rules that require companies to track and report on the issue. But compliance executives can’t lean on easy databases and automated solutions, experts increasingly say, that supply chain companies may ignore or lie to.
The future of DEI isn’t about ‘diversity’
With White House directives ending DEI programs across the U.S. government, many companies are now facing the question of how to meet their diversity goals without upsetting the political climate. The answer has been to give up the name but not the spirit of DEI.
Making a pitch for compliance: The great chase for stakeholder engagement
Speakers at Compliance Week’s Ethics and Compliance Summit swapped engagement strategies rooted in human behavior, including with through the use of generative AI, free merchandise, and live events, to meet employees where they are.
Compliance should be a business partner, not a blocker
Compliance has long been viewed by some as the “Department of No.” What typically happens is a new product or service is being launched, and compliance is brought in at the end of the process. Inevitably, the compliance team finds aspects of the new product or service that violates a ...
Photo gallery: Ethics & Compliance Summit
Compliance Week’s Ethics and Compliance Summit, held March 19-20 in Boston, Mass., gathered legal, compliance, and risk professionals to share best practices and engage in discussions on timely topics, regulatory developments, and effective strategies to foster an ethical culture.
Small wins can have big results
When talking about ethics programs at various companies, there are plenty of examples of firms that do right and those that do wrong. But building up a struggling program is a whole other challenge.
SEC postpones compliance date for amendments to investment company names rule
Investment companies will have six additional months to comply with an update to the Securities and Exchange Commission rule aimed at making investment fund names more accurate.
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.
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.
Learn to identify, redirect unethical behavior at summit
A panel at Compliance Week’s Ethics and Compliance Summit will use interactive exercises, real-world case studies, and DOJ guidance to “equip participants with actionable tools to navigate high-pressure environments and build stronger, more human-centered compliance cultures.”
Why are CFOs struggling to stay compliant?
CFOs are tasked with overseeing an organization’s entire financial processes, not least ensuring that financial operations remain compliant with the multitude of global regulations. It’s a heavy burden to carry that might be alleviated slightly with the help of artificial intelligence, writes Markus Hornburg, head of compliance at Basware.
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.
Summit will offer framework for ethical AI use
Artificial intelligence tools are being adopted at a rapid clip in many organizations, in some cases without proper guardrails and without taking ethical considerations into account.
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.
PCAOB fines PwC Israel $2.75M amid ongoing sweep for internal training exam cheating
The Israeli affiliate of Big Four audit firm PwC agreed to pay $2.75 million to settle allegations it failed to prevent widespread cheating on training examinations despite internal warnings to staff about an ongoing crackdown.
DEI programs are under attack. Compliance should help plan what comes next
U.S. President Donald Trump has proven himself to be a chaos agent in the opening weeks of his second term, firing federal workers, shuttering agencies, and issuing executive orders that attempt to upend policies and laws he doesn’t like.
U.K. Employment Rights Bill promises to thwart forced labor through new consolidated regulator
For the past decade, the United Kingdom has tried to make companies more directly accountable for forced labor in their supply chains. But lawyers warn that the government’s latest plans to beef up protections against worker violations risk being heavily watered down and poorly policed by regulators.
Apple bucks trend in Big Tech, defies anti-DEI headwinds
Apple, one of the most valuable tech giants on the planet, is pushing back against pressure to stop diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, saying that “a culture of belonging” remains a core value of the organization.
CW nomination deadline for 2025 ‘Excellence in Compliance Awards’ closed
The nomination deadline has closed for Compliance Week’s sixth annual “Excellence in Compliance Awards.”
SEC charge against CCO in penny stock scheme raises more questions about gatekeeper liability
A recent complaint by the Securities and Exchange Commission against the chief compliance officer of a Chicago-based investment firm contains some of the most worrisome examples of how CCOs can be found liable for misconduct at their firm.
SEC slams WWE founder Vince McMahon for misstatements caused by hush money payments
Vince McMahon, the founder and former CEO of WWE, was fined $400,000 and ordered to reimburse the wrestling giant more than $1.3 million to settle charges brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission that he failed to disclose hush money payments he made on behalf of himself and the company.
Google’s fate under Trump could be a sign of antitrust battles to come in 2025
As Donald Trump begins his transition to become president, there are questions about the fate of tech companies, as well as regulators from multiple administrations. Google in particular is fighting a high-profile antitrust ruling after an investigation started by Trump in 2020 could be resolved in his next administration.
Data analytics in compliance: Time to get started, or expand, in 2025
Launching or expanding a corporate data analytics program for compliance can seem like a daunting task, but it is one worth adding to your to-do list in 2025.
Ericsson's 'integrity journey' post-FCPA settlement top compliance triumph of 2024
It’s been a long “integrity journey” for Ericsson, according to the company’s Head of Compliance Global Affairs Alison Howell. Since settling with the DOJ over FCPA violations in 2019, the company has gone through a "business critical transformation," resulting in the end of its compliance monitorship.
U.S. Appeals Court overturns Nasdaq board diversity rule
A U.S. Appeals Court overturned a Securities and Exchange Commission rule that had required companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange to disclose whether their boards had women or minority members–and if not, why not.
Whistleblower’s defamation case reveals scope of USAA ‘coverup’
A defamation lawsuit filed by a whistleblower against USAA, which a Florida judge recently dismissed on a technicality, revealed in public court records an estimated 400,000 violations of the Military Lending Act by USAA Federal Savings Bank (USAA Bank), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of USAA.
Book review: Larry D. Thompson’s memoir revisits lessons from VW, Enron, and PepsiCo.
Former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Larry D. Thompson participated in landmark legal cases, such as the Justice Department’s Enron investigation and the Volkswagen Independent Compliance Monitorship. Now his memoir looks back on his extensive career in compliance, offering profound insights into corporate culture, diversity, ethics, and integrity.