Corporate Compliance Program Corporate Governance Checklist

CORPORATE COMPLIANCE

Modern-day life is shaped by major corporations operating all over the world. The operations of these organizations are highly important as they offer employment to millions of people, thus playing a crucial role in the lives of several families. Corporates work with the motive of making the world a better place to live in.  Several products are being researched, developed, and brought into the market every day to make the common man’s life simple and easy. Unique products that were highly unimaginable in the past have now become a reality solely due to the dedicated research and experimentation by corporate companies. Can anyone with a unique idea start a corporate and establish a successful organization? Have you ever wondered about the rules and regulations that such corporates have to comply with? Here we provide you with detailed information about corporate compliance, the programs, and training involved in corporate compliance, the checklists to be followed for corporate compliance, and other crucial information. Our team at N D Greene PC. is experienced in offering adept guidance in corporate compliance matters. Taking a corporate compliance proactive stance helps you deal with all matters effectively.  Fix an appointment with our team right now to know more about corporate compliance!!

Can Failure to Abide By Corporate Compliance Laws Affect My Business?

Yes!! Of Course!! Corporate compliance is taken seriously and failure to follow the applicable laws can affect your business adversely.  Regardless of whether your violation is a violation of the state laws or federal laws, the consequences can be severe.  Can you imagine a situation in which your consumers have lost all confidence in your products? Will you be a witness to the loss of reputation of your business? In addition to the loss of consumer trust, and business reputation, corporate compliance failures can result in the cancellation of your business licenses, criminal cases, and other penalties. Any deviance in compliance can be penalized. Although a corporate is a separate legal entity, the responsibility of adhering to legal compliance rests on the employees and the top management of the corporate. Our team at N D Greene PC. is experienced in dealing with these matters. Call us now to understand the concepts related to corporate compliance!! We can proficiently assist you through every stage of the process.

What Is Compliance? Why Are The Compliance Requirements Complex?

Compliance means adhering to or following the existing law and principles.  There are several corporate compliance definitions. Corporate compliance is not simply a code of conduct but is a set of laws, rules, and regulations that every corporate is required to follow for establishing a successful organization. It is the responsibility of the corporate and all people involved in the top management to ensure that all legal rules and laws are properly followed.  Ensuring that all laws are properly complied with is highly complex as there are numerous requirements that have to be followed.  The compliance of each applicable law is unique, and different with different procedures that have to be followed.  The fact that such compliance varies according to changes in circumstances increases the complexities involved in these matters. The organization is required to be aware of the applicable local rules, State laws, and federal laws.  This process is highly burdensome as the organization is also required to be updated with any changes in the law. Due to these reasons, there is a need for a corporate compliance program. To understand the law applicable to your corporate, you should consult with the specialized team at N D Greene PC. We will guide you through every step. Our team is highly experienced in these matters and can clarify all your doubts. Never hesitate to consult with us with your questions on corporate compliance. Speak to us right now for quick answers!!

Is There A Need For Corporate Compliance?

There is a need to maintain order in society. Corporates play a key role in maintaining order in society.  Most people in the society are part of the corporates and are connected to the operations of the corporates in some way or the other.  While some people are employees, there are others who are external stakeholders such as business partners or consumers, thus the majority of the people are connected to the operations of the corporates. When corporates begin to follow strict rules and regulations in their functioning, it certainly has a direct reflection on the lives of all people connected to the corporate.  In the year 1937, the question of imposing liability on a steamship ‘President Coolidge” for drenching a harbor patrol boatman with garbage was brought to court and the corporation that owned the steamship was penalized for the acts of the negligent employee.  In this case, the steps taken by the corporate for complying with legal requirements were not analyzed. However, corporate compliance laws have undergone an incredible change in the following years.  The rules have become stringent with sincere implementation.  This strict implementation helps avoid loss caused by the mistakes of the employees and eliminates the possibility of the organization being burdened with liability. These days, corporates are considered partners in enforcing laws. Corporate compliance is thus an essential requirement to safeguard an organization both internally and externally.  For more information about the rules and regulations applicable to corporate compliance, meet our team at N D Greene PC. We offer practical assistance based on the requirements of your corporate.  For any clarifications about the process, schedule an appointment with our team right now!!

What Are The Steps For Creating A Corporate Compliance Program?

The level of commitment of the top management in the Corporate decides the state of mind of every employee at every level below the top management.  An employee draws inspiration and commitment from his/her immediate superior. When the top management official in the corporate exhibits the highest level of dedication and commitment, the same spirit is reflected at every level of the system.  This level of commitment and effort is highly crucial to a successful corporate compliance program. The effective implementation of the corporate compliance program requires the highest level of sincerity.

When laws and regulations are sincerely implemented routinely, there are no errors in compliance.

• Understanding the objective of the organization is highly important

For an excellent corporate compliance program, it is important that the program goes hand in hand with the aims and objectives of the organization. Adhering to all legal rules and at the same time pursuing the long-term objective of the organization is highly beneficial to the progress of the organization.  The compliance requirement for every industry differs. Understanding the core objectives of the organization helps to understand the legal requirements.

• Identifying the applicable laws is a crucial step

The next step in finalizing a corporate compliance program is identifying all laws applicable to the operation of the corporate. Discussing with a skilled lawyer will help ascertain the applicable laws.  Depending on the industry in which you operate, the applicable laws differ. For a corporate in the banking sector, laws such as Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), Truth in Lending Act (TLA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), Fair Housing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), are important. For health care providers Emergency Medical Treatment Act (EMTA), the Active Labor Act, and the vast law surrounding Medicare and Medicaid are applicable. Employee-related laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), Employee Retirement Income Securities Act (ERISA), and the Black Lung Benefits Act, are applicable to all organizations. For any doubts about the laws applicable to your corporate organization, you can speak to our lawyers at N D Greene PC. Our team will guide you through every step of the way and will accurately explain all applicable laws.

• Implementation of applicable laws is the next step

The corporate compliance program should have flawless ways to ensure effective implementation such as the appointment of compliance officers, and compliance committees specifically appointed to ascertain the level of compliance within the organization.

• Involving all levels of Management is vital

All levels of management particularly the top management should be involved in preparing the corporate compliance program. When the top-level management is directly involved in outlining the workflow and other related procedures, employees will realize the importance of compliance.  This results in the successful implementation of corporate compliance at all levels of the organization.

• Establishing a Monitoring team helps in formulating a successful program

The formation of a monitoring team consisting of trained professionals who can supervise the effective implementation of the corporate compliance program is an important step. The main function of this team is to act as a bridge between the top management of the concern and the employees. The members of the monitoring team periodically report to the top management about gaps in the implementation of the corporate compliance program. In such periodic reporting, the monitoring team layout clearly to the management, the problems in the implementation of the compliance plans.

• Risk assessment and risk management plan can be challenging

Outlining the possible risks that could emerge in the implementation of the corporate compliance program is a vital step.  This assessment helps you prioritize the most serious risks and take immediate action to avoid penal consequences.  A thorough analysis of the applicable legal framework and the core principles of the organization helps in accurate risk assessment.  Risk management plans keep you prepared if the loss is caused due to non-compliance. Insurance coverage is one of the ways of risk management.

Take professional support in framing your corporate compliance program. Our team will assist you by explaining the pros and cons of your decisions. Call us at once!!

What Is The Purpose Of The Corporate Compliance Program?

Ignorance of the law is never an excuse!! The management of a corporate is required to fulfill all legal formalities and can never claim that they were unaware of the requirements.  The corporates function only because several employees are dedicatedly performing the work entrusted to them.  One should remember that when individuals from different educational and cultural backgrounds come together and work, chaos is inevitable. To eliminate the possibility of such chaos, there is a crucial requirement for a set of rules and regulations to be followed. This results in the formulation of a standard of procedure for every task involved in the operation of the corporate.

The corporate compliance program focuses on the policies and procedures that should mandatorily be followed in the organization.  The main objective of such a program is to avoid violation of applicable laws.  It is important to communicate the corporate compliance program to all employees in an effective manner.  The establishment of such a fixed standard of procedure regulates work performance, minimizes confusion, enhances work efficiency, and increases production tremendously.  This positive growth is a possibility only when strict rules are stringently implemented. The management in the corporates takes steps to ensure that the standard of procedure followed in each department is in accordance with the legal compliance requirements.

There are different elements in the corporate compliance program such as a written policy and procedure that is finalized after taking into consideration the views and opinions of various stakeholders. It is vital to understand the reasons to have a written policy. The ways and means to implement the procedure are part of the corporate compliance program. The existence of these policies and procedures being part of compliance programs helps corporates control employees effectively.

The elements of a successful corporate compliance program are as follows:

• Policy and procedure to be written

It is important for the policy and procedure to be written.  To increase the effectiveness of the corporate compliance program, it is important for everything to be in writing. Written documents ensure uniformity in implementation. Any possibility of vagueness can be eliminated.

• Appointing a compliance officer for supervision

For effective implementation of the corporate compliance program, a compliance officer is appointed by the management. The main role of the compliance officer is to confirm that the procedure is followed and all rules are properly adhered to.

• Establishment of a compliance committee

The compliance committee is an advisory committee that regulates the overall implementation of legal compliance.  This committee periodically regulates, supervises, and monitors the methods of compliance.

• Training and Education

It is important for employees to be adequately trained and educated on all aspects of the corporate compliance program. When employees and all other groups of people connected to compliance understand the purpose and need to follow existing rules and regulations, the process of following laws becomes easy and simple. Due to this reason, employees should be provided ample training in all aspects of the compliance process.

• Establishing communication channels

Communication channels are important for the effective implementation of the corporate compliance program. Employees should be provided adequate guidance about who should be contacted in case of any doubts in the implementation of the corporate compliance program.  Forming a rigid set of hierarchy in the organization helps in providing timely clarifications to employees as and when such doubts arise. Establishing proper channels of communication and making the employees aware of such hierarchy avoids delay in implementation of the corporate compliance.

• Effective ways of monitoring

Monitoring is a crucial part of corporate compliance.  The monitoring mechanisms should be effectively established to avoid errors in legal compliance. Monitoring is generally an act that is periodically conducted by the superiors in the same department. When the organization has periodic reviews and other ways of periodic monitoring, errors in legal compliance can be avoided.

• Periodic internal audits

Internal audits are an essential part of corporate compliance. The most important purpose of conducting an audit is to ascertain whether there has been any deviance in the required legal compliance.  It is a systematic disciplined approach that ensures maximum compliance and higher work productivity.  An organization takes several steps to conduct audits.  One of the important functions of the compliance committee is periodically reviewing the effectiveness of communication channels.  The goal of an internal audit is to rectify any possible errors before the deviance is discovered in an external audit.

• Standardizing disciplinary guidelines

Uniformly applying all rules and regulations can make the organization successful.  Not allowing any exception to any individual or group of individuals confirms proper compliance with all rules. Specifying disciplinary action regardless of the designation or post of the employee makes compliance effective.  The uniform unbiased implementation of laws is crucial for successful corporate compliance programs.

A corporate compliance program is a complex process. Corporate compliance and governance are interrelated. Governance becomes easy when all legal formalities are properly followed. Discussing all your issues with our lawyer at N D Greene PC. can help resolve all your corporate compliance concerns. Our team will carefully listen to your concerns and will lay out all applicable policies and procedures. Call us now for immediate solutions!!

What Is Corporate Compliance Training?

Corporate compliance training involves extensive training in a wide range of subjects. The training includes corporate compliance insights on how to deal with problems that arise in compliance matters. Laws, rules, and regulations may mention a number of instructions and guidelines, several issues can crop up in the practical implementation of such laws. A comprehensive corporate compliance training adequately trains employees and all individuals involved in top-level management to handle stressful situations that can arise in the practical implementation of fixed rules and regulations.

The corporate compliance training topics focus on the procedure to conduct a business. Each industry has its own procedures that have to be followed. While the health care business has its own way of working, the manufacturing and service sector has their own procedures for operating. The corporate compliance for each sector varies based on the nature of the business involved.  Speaking to a skilled corporate compliance lawyer will help you understand the laws and regulations applicable to your corporate.

In the corporate compliance training, the trainees are imparted with skill and knowledge on how the business operates. More importantly, the trainees get familiarized with the goal of the business operations and the procedures adopted to fulfill the core goals of the corporate. Regardless of the nature of operations of your corporate such as construction, healthcare, information technology, banking, or mortgage, there is certain legal compliance you are required to follow. There are a number of laws that every corporate should be familiar with such as real estate laws, cyber laws, data privacy laws, federal laws, labor laws, and other such laws.

Here is a list of some of the laws related to compliance:

• Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)
• Truth in Lending Act (TLA)
• Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
• Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA)
• Fair Housing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)
• Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA)
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility Act (HIPAA)
• Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH)

What is Corporate Compliance Risk Assessment?

Any act of not following the rules is bound to result in drastic consequences.  The law imposed monetary fines on corporates that fail to abide by laws and regulations. It is therefore crucial for corporates to be cautious in these matters and to take all steps to ensure full adherence to internal and external regulations. The usual practice to ensure adherence is to appoint a committee or officer whose sole responsibility would be to ensure that all rules are effectively implemented.

When there is deviance in the fixed procedures and policies, then chaos is bound to result and the risks associated with such deviance include the following:

• Risks related to quality

Quality-related risks are the ones that corporates should take all steps to avoid. Such risks are easily identified by the public.  More importantly, supplying poor-quality products to the public can affect their safety. Corporates should take all steps to avoid quality-related risks. Any compromise in quality-related compliance will result in a loss of reputation.

• Risks related to process

When employees deviate from the specified procedures, process-related risks are caused. It is important to avoid process-related risks by ensuring that the specified processes are accurately followed.

• Risks related to data

Corporates deal with different types of data pertaining to several people, including employees, other business partners, and at times consumers. Data management is an important function of corporates. Not only do corporates deal with data related to individuals, but business performance-related data are also involved. There are several laws related to data management. When foreign parties are involved, the standards of managing data related to foreign parties are expected to be followed as per international requirements.

• Risks associated with workplace safety

There are several regulations that have to be followed to ensure the safety of employees at the workplace. In certain corporates, the work environment may have safety hazards for the employees. Laws and regulations such as The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 are in place to protect the safety of the employees at the workplace.  Corporates are required to flawlessly implement these laws. Following the prescribed practices helps protect employees as well as eliminates the possibility of any friction between the management and employees in connection with workplace hazards.

• Risks related to the environment

Following environment-related laws and regulations is a corporate compliance example. Huge business undertakings including factories manufacturing several products are part of big corporates. In the process of manufacturing consumer goods and other such products, corporates can affect the quality of the environment in a number of ways.  For the welfare of the future generation, there is a need to preserve the quality of the environment. In furtherance of this objective, several regulations are in place for corporates to reduce the harmful effect on the environment. Considering the harm that can be caused to the general public, deviation in environment-related compliance can result in severe penalties.

• Risks related to bribery

It is important to ensure that corrupt practices or fraudulent activities of any nature are completely avoided.  It is the responsibility of the corporate to ensure that such corrupt activities are avoided by the employees and also other third parties with whom the corporate has some kind of business relationship.

To clarify all doubts related to the compliance risk assessment process, schedule a consultation with our lawyers at N D Greene PC.  We can suggest a reliable corporate compliance plan example. Our team will closely examine your problem to offer comprehensive solutions based on the needs of your case. Call us right away!!

Steps involved in compliance risk assessment

Understanding where to check for compliance-related risks helps in framing a straightforward process to find and avoid such risks. Documenting these risks helps in the quick formulation of the process. It is thus important to prepare a compliance risk assessment document that records everything related to compliance risks.

Some steps involved in compliance risk assessment are as follows:

• Identify the risks involved

Formulating the process for each activity in the practical working of the corporate and reviewing these processes periodically gives you a fair idea about the type and nature of risk involved. Understanding the nature of compliance risks helps you reduce the risk of non-compliance.

• Monitoring the methods in place for preventing risks

It is important to review the mechanism you have in place to avoid noncompliance. The system should be frequently monitored to ensure its effectiveness. The question you need an answer to is whether the existing methods to prevent risks cover all risks. If the monitoring system is weak and not all risks are covered, then there is a need for a new monitoring mechanism. If there is a need to change the system, then it should be immediately formulated.  This step also helps highlight additional risks that were missed in the first step.

• Upgrading the Compliance risk assessment methods

Everything changes, and so do the risks associated with compliance. Further, the laws and regulations that have to be followed are also frequently amended according to changing times. Due to these reasons, there is a need for the compliance risk assessment methods to be updated according to changes in the law and changes in circumstances.

For more information about reducing the risk of non-compliance, consult with our lawyers at N D Greene PC.  We provide accurate explanations at each stage in the corporate compliance risk assessment process. Fix an appointment with our team today to get a better understanding of these concepts!!

Why Do You Need A Corporate Compliance Lawyer?

Adhering to all the applicable state and federal laws can be a daunting task due to the complexities involved. It takes a lawyer who is highly knowledgeable in compliance laws to assist you with any concerns you may have regarding corporate compliance. You may not be aware that failing to follow applicable laws and regulations can result in being penalized with exorbitant fines and contesting cases that can extend to several years.  Our lawyers at N D Greene PC. can help you in framing the code of conduct and policies that have to be followed. We take all steps to ensure that the code of conduct and policies so framed is in accordance with the applicable laws and rules. Our experienced team is aware of all changes made to existing laws relating to compliance.  We remain updated with all recent amendments to procedures related to compliance.  We will play a key role in framing your compliance policy by taking into consideration all applicable laws. These policies are important as it determines your relationship with your employees, shareholders, suppliers, and other third parties.  Our team is highly competent in these matters. We can analyze the goals of your business to identify the right corporate compliance policy. Our team can effectively guide you through the process.

The needs and requirements of every corporate setup vary. Discussing your needs with our lawyers helps in formulating policies that meet your requirements.  We can formulate strategies based on the requirements of your operations. Our team is well acquainted with concerns that crop up in the everyday implementation of corporate compliance. We can assist you in effectively resolving these issues.

We can play a crucial role in your corporate compliance process in the following ways:

• We can assist you in conceiving and enforcing compliance policies that are comprehensive in all aspects including employee benefits.
• We will aid you in following the required code of ethics in business.
• There are several federal regulations that require you to conduct periodic evaluations of your internal policies, business procedures, and other personnel management related policies. Our team will guide you in these matters. We can provide you with a comprehensive checklist that should be followed for effective corporate compliance.
• Third-party due diligence is also an important part of corporate compliance. Third-party due diligence involves ascertaining whether the parties with which the corporate deals such as partners and suppliers adhere to existing laws and company policies. It is vital to complete an accurate and comprehensive check on third parties before transacting with them. Checking for compliance such as anti-corruption laws, data privacy laws and other such regulations helps ascertain third-party due diligence. Our lawyer can explain the laws you should check compliance for.
• Our team will analyze the applicable laws for your business and guide you with corporate compliance best practices. The needs of each concern differ based on the unique requirements of the business operations. We provide special compliance solutions based on your business needs.
• Dealing with lawsuits that arise due to noncompliance becomes easy when you have an experienced lawyer by your side. It is important for you to know about scams targeting you with notices about non-compliance. Is corporate compliance center legit? Clients often contact us about having received notices from is corporate compliance center asking for fees accompanied by details of minutes of the annual meeting. Such emails and other correspondence are a scam. It is important for corporates to know that this is an attempt to extort money. One should never respond to such notices and should report them immediately. Take expert help if you find yourself in such an unfortunate situation. Corporate laws and compliance are complex, professional guidance helps navigate the complicated stages of the process in an effective manner. Call us now!!

The lawyers at N D Greene PC. are highly experienced and can offer solutions that are affordable.  We are known for our skill in crafting policies that are easy to understand and follow. In conceiving unique policies for organizations, there are several legal and technical aspects that have to be considered.  We make our clients aware of the possible ramifications they can suffer from their failure to comply with existing laws.  Discussing your concerns with our lawyers can help resolve the matter quickly. Call us now for quick and effective corporate compliance solutions!! We are here to help you at all times.

Why Is It Important To Avoid Corporate Compliance Violations?

While there are several reasons to avoid corporate compliance violations, the primary reason is to safeguard your hard-earned reputation.  All people in the top management in the corporate, work consistently from the very inception and build a robust name for the concern in the market, in the society as well as in the minds of the consumers.  A single issue of noncompliance can blow up to become a huge issue that can damage the reputation of the concern. It can take years to regain all that has been lost in the process. To eliminate the possibility of suffering such adverse consequences, it is highly important for corporates to strictly follow internal and external compliance.

There are several examples of corporate compliance violations. There are different violations that can occur in different industries. If the industry is health care, the protection of health-related information of the patients is crucial. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 imposes several requirements on HIPAA-covered entities to safeguard Protected Health Information (PHI). Failure to comply with the provisions of The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 can result in grave penalties.  This act clearly explains when protected health information can be disclosed and to whom.  Following compliance requirements under this act prevents disclosure of confidential health information as well as makes the organization accountable for such illegal disclosure. This is one example of a corporate compliance violation and its effects. Similar to the health care sector, corporates dealing with financial matters are expected to follow several compliance laws.

The top management should always instruct all employees to report possible violations regardless of whether such violations pertain to internal violations or external violations. The management should be trained to take up responsibility for any possible violation and to resolve the issue at the earliest.  Disciplinary actions plan a vital role in deterring employees from violating the policies and rules. Frequently reviewing existing policies and monitoring mechanisms helps resolve any gaps between the written policies and practical implementation of the written regulations. Having in place a regulatory system helps your concern become compliance corporate.

By following internal and external regulations you not only avoid losing your business reputation and the trust of the consumers but also avoid being criminally prosecuted. Another severe consequence of not following corporate compliance is the risk of getting your licenses canceled in addition to the possible fines that can be imposed.  If a lawsuit is initiated against you for improper corporate compliance, you need to consult with a skilled lawyer to know the ways to dismiss the lawsuit.  Our team can provide you with suitable solutions based on the corporate compliance issues raised against you. Call us right now!! We will provide adept guidance to resolve these complicated issues. Safeguard the reputation of your concern by booking an appointment with our corporate compliance company lawyer now!!

An effective corporate compliance framework should prevent, detect and resolve potential violations of law or company policy.  Speak to experienced lawyers for corporate compliance solutions that suit the needs of your concern. Our team at N D Greene PC. provides reliable corporate compliance services. We are just a call away!! Pick the phone and call us right away!!