ECPA

While experts have varying opinions on the precise origins of compliance as a profession, most agree that it began to take shape sometime between the 1960s and 1990s. Prior to this, tasks related to compliance were largely carried out by accountants, lawyers, or auditors. Less than 100 years later, compliance has evolved into a distinct professional field, complete with specialised areas of focus, certification programmes, and unique frameworks. However, unsurprisingly, the standards defining a successful compliance function, expectations towards the compliance officers, and their specific roles continue to develop.

 

In recent years, the compliance profession in Europe has experienced significant growth, driven by the rise of fintech companies, increasing regulation of digital assets, heightened environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements, and greater business awareness of risk management in general. But while ‘compliance’ is becoming a sort of a buzzword, once you go beyond the theoretical basics, it can become increasingly confusing in practice.

 

This ECPA training session will provide an overview of the foundational principles of compliance and explore the latest discussions and challenges facing the European compliance community. Participants will be invited to examine the guiding principles and limitations of the three lines of defence model, the core competencies required of compliance professionals, and the different internal frameworks that support compliance activities in different organisations. The session will also highlight how to effectively leverage organisational data to monitor compliance risks and measure the success of compliance efforts.

 

Designed for compliance professionals dealing with practical challenges, senior management seeking to enhance their organisation's compliance capabilities, and anyone with an interest in the field, this session offers valuable insights into modern compliance practices.

 

Programme Outline:

1. History and Current Challenges of the Compliance Profession

Objective: To outline the evolution of the compliance profession and provide context for its current challenges.

2. The Three Lines of Defence Model: Practical Challenges and Limitations

Objective: To review the three lines of defence model, its application in various sectors and organisations, and explore potential alternatives.

3. Collaboration Across Functions: Compliance in a Living Organisation

Objective: To discuss the roles and responsibilities associated with compliance across internal teams, including Business, Risk, Legal, and Audit, and explore how compliance professionals can utilise existing risk, governance, and business frameworks.

4. Making Use of Organisational Data in Compliance: Looking for Early Warnings

Objective: To discuss examples of how existing organisational data can help identify potential existing (and future?) compliance risks and create frameworks for monitoring the effectiveness of different policies.

5. Notes from the Diary of a Tired Compliance Professional: The Key Pillars of a Solid Compliance Function and Defining Success

Objective: To provide an overview of what contributes to a strong foundation for the compliance function in practice, including key competencies required, practical tips on structuring internal management reporting on compliance for the best outcomes, and an exploration of different approaches to measuring the success of a compliance function.