Forensic Risk Alliance

Exciting news! FRA Partner & Head of MEA Simon Taylor will join the panel ‘Technology Advances in Conducting Investigations’ at the GIR Live: Annual Investigations Meeting MENA on 19 February 2025. With over 20 years of experience in investigations, financial crime, and regulatory enquiries, Simon will share insights on the latest tools and technologies shaping internal investigations in the MENA region. The session will explore:  • Tools and technologies for efficient and effective investigations  • Barriers to accessing these tools in the MENA region  • In-house corporate technologies and regulatory expectations  • Legal considerations in deploying these technologies FRA is delighted to sponsor this event, which brings together private practice lawyers, in-house counsel, and government representatives to discuss the recent developments in investigations across the Middle East and North Africa. Learn more about the agenda and how to register here: https://lnkd.in/eB4qBM-E   Global Investigations Review     #GIRLive #GIRLiveMENA 

A key development to watch in the UK this year is the road to establishing the Auditing, Reporting and Governance Authority (ARGA). FRA Partner Gordon Macleod contributed his thoughts on the implications for governance and audit reform in a piece by The Institute of Financial Accountants https://lnkd.in/eAGimyku “Companies should ensure that they have an appropriate and reliable control framework in place, if it is not already, this is not only limited to the finance function.”

Congratulations to our exceptional team members on their recent promotions! Their unwavering commitment to excellence, dedication to FRA's values, and contributions to the success of our firm and clients are truly inspiring. We look forward to their continued success and growth at FRA.  Nadia Krivickova, Michael Milton, James Norden, Fabio Ferretti, Rakshith J., Pratisha Ramtale, Csaba Tamas, Mathias Butti, Leandra Filippi, Anton Gubkin, Ken Hui, Guilherme Montassier, Renée Moore, Grégoire Pettier, Megan Sirr, Isabelle Vinter, ACA CFE CAMS, Francesca Caruso, Gabriel Hornung, Thibault PORTET, CFE, Kim André Qvale and Luke Swallow. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/e8_3s33C

How are Mastercard and IBM using AI to enhance regulatory compliance while keeping with emerging regulations? Register for our virtual panel: https://lnkd.in/ei36XxTP FRA is delighted to join industry experts to discuss real applications and risk management approaches. Register now to join the conversation on AI regulation, what makes a robust AI governance framework, and how traditional 'model risk' concepts are adapting to AI.    Our panel:  • Hans-Petter Dalen, Business Leader EMEA, IBM watsonx.governance and Agentic AI, • Ernani Cerasaro, Senior Counsel – Privacy and Data Protection, Artificial Intelligence, Mastercard, • Gerben Schreurs, Partner & Head of Zurich Office, FRA and • Moderated by Matt Kelly, Editor & CEO, Radical Compliance.

In November 2024, the Dutch court ruled that EY Netherlands was liable to Chinese agribusiness company COFCO for approving misstated annual accounts from Nidera, in relation to COFCO’s acquisition of Nidera. FRA Partner Gordon Macleod provided expert report and testimony for both the ICC arbitration and the civil claim in Rotterdam. Read more about how FRA’s expert was able to provide a report on specific failures of the auditor: https://lnkd.in/e4-fQwUz Other headline cases FRA supported in 2024 include: RTX: https://lnkd.in/eehu7_wi  Gunvor SA: https://lnkd.in/ennAwBzW  SAP: https://lnkd.in/e_pXMwQG  Binance: https://lnkd.in/eAd7gnqi

AI is transforming how companies operate, but its true value emerges only when its underlying risks are effectively managed. In this webinar on Wednesday 29 January, compliance and data experts will discuss key risks associated with AI, strategies for controlling them, and the oversight structures essential for its safe and responsible use. Register here: https://lnkd.in/ei36XxTP Matt Kelly from Radical Compliance, Hans-Petter Dalen from IBM, Ernani Cerasaro from Mastercard and FRA’s Gerben Schreurs.

Look back on FRA webinars this year covering investigations and compliance challenges that are of core interest to multinational corporations.  𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗼 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Accounting judgments often come under scrutiny during investigations. This session highlights key risks, real-world examples, and strategies to minimize legal and reputational fallout. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/eQ9Da_PG Toby Duthie, Derek Patterson, Neil Keenan 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻’𝘀 (𝗜𝗻)𝗔𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: Regulatory settlements can result in penalties disproportionate to a company’s financial position. This session examines how "ability to pay" arguments are shaping negotiations and influencing outcomes. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/eSGvwEFX Ash Klass, Carolyn (Hodgson) McDonnell, Toby Duthie 𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀: Apps including WhatsApp and Signal pose challenges for data retention and compliance. This webinar focuses on managing off-channel communication risks while meeting regulatory expectations. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/eKsptCZQ Simon Taylor, Masako Asaka, Alejandro Gomez Igbo

Looking back on some of our most read 2024 insights, here are three that will continue to be relevant topics for companies and their counsel in 2025. Follow us for more insights from FRA experts in the New Year.    1. Fraud Prevention in Revenue Recognition: https://lnkd.in/eJVR6dZi  2. Understanding Asset Recovery and Cryptocurrency Wallets: https://lnkd.in/enqSQbne  3. The Growing Salience of Corruption Evidence in Arbitration Matters: https://lnkd.in/ev9hZewH    Trevor Wiles Ben Walter Meredith Fitzpatrick Derek Patterson Amina Khoungui Jorge Lopes Kim André Qvale 

In this article for Dutch journal Compliance, Ethics & Sustainability, FRA experts present an overview of data-related regulatory barriers in cross-border investigations. They cover data privacy regulations in key jurisdictions, data localisation and cloud services, cross-border transfers and other technical solutions. Read the full chapter here: https://lnkd.in/evcv89P5 Arnaud Collombet, Erin McDonald, Paul Menoret-Renard and Edward Nkune

Congratulations to FRA Co-founding Partner Frances McLeod who has once again featured in the latest Global Elite Thought Leader - Consulting Experts – Forensic Accountants ranking by Lexology Index (formally known as Who’s Who Legal). With over 28 years of experience advising clients on sanctions, anti-corruption, fraud, and asset tracing, Frances has been deeply involved in all of FRA's compliance monitorship work. She is currently serving as the DOJ-appointed independent compliance monitor in three separate monitorships: Balfour Beatty Communities LLC, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC, and the cryptocurrency exchange Binance. Find out more about the FRA senior leaders who were recognized here: https://lnkd.in/d6U-3U8U #ForensicAccounting #investigations