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Control Chatter
April 2025
News that Control Professionals need to know
| | BECOME A RECOGNIZED LEADER | | The Internal Control Institute™ (ICI) improves organizational Internal Controls worldwide by providing internationally recognized training, products, services, and individual Professional Certifications. The Institute would like to help more organizations and professionals by expanding further into areas where it is not directly represented. For a list of areas already represented see the end of the newsletter. | |
MAKE $$$ WHILE YOU CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR PROFESSION
ICI provides world-class programs and its intellectual property to affiliates free of charge and shares all program revenue with them. If your organization is interested in partnering with ICI to earn revenue while you contribute to the development of the internal control profession worldwide don't hesitate to get in touch with Dr. Michael Pregmon, Jr., Chief Operations Officer, by email at:
mpregmon@internalcontrolinstitute.org.
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Test your Knowledge of Internal Control
FREE ASSESSMENTS
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The Internal Control Institute has developed two mini assessments to test your knowledge. A CICS Common Body of Knowledge Mini Assessment that helps an individual determine their knowledge as it relates to organizational governance and control practices. Results point out areas of knowledge that may require additional training and experience. The assessments also provides a measurement to the individual's readiness for CICS certification.
*** Take the Internal Control Knowledge Mini-Assessments ***
| | Start your journey to becoming a Certified Internal Control Professional today! | | |
| The ICI "Certification Series" of online courses | |
The ICI "Certification Series" has been completely updated and is available online to everyone around the world! Course content prepares individuals to design and/or assess internal control and to assist management in installing internal control processes. In addition, the series prepares candidates for the Certified Internal Control Specialist (CICS) Examination. To review the course catalog click
ICI Course Catalog
To register for one or all of the online training programs click here:
The Internal Control Institute Store
Online course pricing has been reduced by over 70%
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Credentials and Badges
ICI is committed to providing you with the tools necessary to achieve your professional goals and we understand that communicating your credentials in an ever-expanding online marketplace can be challenging. That is why we have partnered with Credly to provide you with a digital version of your credentials. Digital badges can be used in email signatures or digital resumes, and on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. This digital image contains verified metadata that describes your qualifications and the process required to earn them.
No Cost To You!
ICI Credentials and Badges is a service we provide to you, at no cost.
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NEW SERIES-ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology means internal control work in enterprises is facing profound changes. The advantages of AI in data analysis, process automation, and risk identification provide powerful support for internal control in enterprises, but at the same time, it also puts higher demands on the skills and career development of internal control personnel. Internal control specialists, need to consider how to better integrate AI and improve the efficiency and value of internal control, while ensuring their own professional competitiveness. In the era of AI, internal control personnel not only need to possess traditional internal control knowledge, but also need to master new technologies to adapt to the new mode of AI human collaboration. Each month we will follow this section with information, terminology and practice aids regarding the implementation and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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Impact of AI on Business:
1. Improved Efficiency and Productivity
AI can automate routine and repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on more strategic activities. For example, chatbots can handle customer inquiries, while RPA can process transactions and manage data entry.
2. Enhanced Decision Making
By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI can provide insights that help businesses make informed decisions. Predictive analytics can forecast market trends, customer preferences, and potential risks.
3. Personalized Customer Experiences
AI can tailor customer experiences by analyzing their behavior and preferences. This leads to more effective marketing campaigns, personalized product recommendations, and improved customer satisfaction.
4. Cost Reduction
Automation reduces the need for manual intervention, leading to significant cost savings. For instance, AI-driven supply chain optimization can reduce operational costs by predicting demand and optimizing inventory levels.
5. Innovation and Competitive Advantage
Companies that leverage AI can innovate faster and create new products and services. This provides a competitive edge by meeting customer needs more effectively and staying ahead of industry trends.
6. Risk Management
AI can identify potential risks and vulnerabilities by analyzing patterns and anomalies. For example, AI systems can detect fraudulent transactions in real-time, enhancing security and reducing financial losses.
7. Enhanced Human Resource Management
AI can streamline HR processes, from recruitment to employee engagement. Tools like AI-driven applicant tracking systems can identify the best candidates, while sentiment analysis can gauge employee satisfaction.
8. Support for Strategic Planning
AI helps in strategic planning by providing data-driven insights. This allows businesses to set realistic goals, allocate resources efficiently, and monitor progress toward achieving those goals.
Next Month: Examples of AI Applications in Business
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Internal Control Chatter
Each month the staff of The Internal Control Institute reviews hundreds of articles related to Internal Control and Corporate Governance. Here are brief summaries of some of the top articles (along with links to the original article) that may be of interest to you.
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DOJ Issues Guidance for New Data Security Program
By Jason C. Chipman, Arianna Evers, Hilary A. Hurd, Shervin Z. Taheran, Sarah Litwin
https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/insights/client-alerts/20250418-doj-issues-guidance-for-new-data-security-program
April 18, 2025
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On April 8, the Department of Justice’s (“DOJ’s”) final rule on Preventing Access to US Sensitive Personal Data and Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern or Covered Persons (the “Rule”) formally took effect. Issued pursuant to President Biden’s 2022 Executive Order (“E.O.”) on Preventing Access to Americans’ Bulk Sensitive Personal Data and United States Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern (EO 14117), the Rule imposes broad restrictions on the access of US sensitive personal data and government-related data to certain covered countries of concern and covered persons, as well as a suite of new compliance and reporting requirements across industries. The Rule also creates a new Data Security Program (“DSP”) within the DOJ’s National Security Division (“NSD”) to oversee implementation, including through issuance of licenses and advisory opinions.
Read The Article
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New corporate fraud offence to take effect in September—what firms must know
Author: Accountancy Age
April 18, 2025
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UK accountancy firms and their clients face a tightening of corporate liability rules from 1 September 2025, when the new offence of Failure to Prevent Fraud comes into force under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA).
Modelled on the UK Bribery Act 2010, the new law makes organisations criminally liable if an employee or agent commits fraud for the company’s benefit—unless the company can prove it had ‘reasonable fraud prevention procedures’ in place at the time. The offence applies to large companies and partnerships that meet at least two of the following: more than 250 employees, over £36 million in turnover, or assets exceeding £18 million. Laurent Sarrat, co-founder and CEO of fraud prevention firm Sis ID, says the regulatory bar will require more than standard internal controls.
“Businesses with strong governance, compliance and fraud prevention processes will be best positioned for the regulatory changes ahead,” he said.
Read The Article
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Agentic AI Can Be Force Multiplier — for Criminals, Too
How polymorphic malware and synthetic identities are creating unprecedented attack vectors
by Steve Durbin
corporatecomplianceinsights.com
April 21, 2025 in Risk
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The autonomy of AI agents implies advancements when used ethically and responsibly. However, their ability to make decisions independently and their adaptive nature have attracted the interest of malicious actors who can develop a team of agentic AI malware working collaboratively to automate attacks. Such scalable attacks can be executed with unprecedented efficiency and surpass the capabilities of existing threat detection systems. As many as 78% of CISOs believe AI-powered cyber threats are already significantly affecting their organizations.
Here’s how agentic AI can conceivably automate cyberattacks:
Read The Article
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Cartels, TCOs, ‘Instrumentalities of a Government’: Reassessing FCPA Risk Amid Shifting US Enforcement Priorities
by Sandra Moser,Humberto Padilla Gonzalez, and Emily Ahdieh
morganlewis.com
April 21, 2025
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Whether cartels do or do not qualify as “instrumentalities of a government” under current FCPA law or based on the AG’s forthcoming revised FCPA guidance, their entanglement with corrupt officials and influence over local economies present real and evolving legal risks for companies operating in Latin America. The US administration’s focus on cartels and transnational criminal organizations underscores the importance of integrated compliance frameworks that are proactive, localized, and constantly evolving.
Read The Article
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A Vested Interest in Honest Business: California Attorney General Reminds Businesses that FCPA Violations Remain Actionable under State Law Amid Federal FCPA Enforcement Pause
By Marika Fain,Courtney Hague Andrews,Darryl Lew,Tami Stark
jdsupra.com
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On April 2, 2025, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a Legal Advisory reminding businesses operating in California that foreign bribery remains illegal under California law and that violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) continue to be actionable under the California Unfair Competition Law (UCL). The Legal Advisory comes in the wake of President Trump's February 10, 2025, Executive Order (EO) that instructed US Attorney General Pamela Bondi to pause FCPA enforcement and to issue updated guidelines for enforcing the statute in line with Administration priorities.1 In contrast to the EO, which takes the position that US interests have been harmed by the "overexpansive and unpredictable FCPA enforcement against American citizens and business—by our own Government—for routine business practices in other nations," California Attorney General Bonta takes the position, consistent with the FCPA's legislative history,2 that foreign bribery is "bad for business." In announcing the Legal Advisory, California Attorney General Bonta commented: "Paying bribes to foreign officials is not only unethical, it's also bad for business. Bribery erodes consumer confidence in the market and rewards corruption instead of competition. As the fifth largest economy in the world, California has a vested interest in defending honest business."
Read The Article
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Six strategies for keeping up with today’s ever changing legal landscape
LegalCompliance
wolterskluwer.com
April 22, 2025
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The legal landscape is constantly changing, with federal and state laws, regulations, Presidential Actions, and executive orders evolving at a rapid pace. For legal professionals, staying informed and on top of these changes is more than just important; it's vital for maintaining a competitive edge.
There are strategies that you can embrace that focus on taking a proactive approach, allowing you to stay ahead of changing laws while mitigating risk and saving time.
Practicing the law requires absolute precision. Missing or being unaware of new laws, regulations, or executive orders can lead to costly mistakes, compliance risks, or reputational damage. But the burden of monitoring and tracking these changes doesn't have to weigh you down. By adopting a technology-enabled approach, smarter tools, strong processes and strategies for success, you can stay informed without feeling overwhelmed.
Read The Article
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How businesses can prepare for global e-invoicing: Insights from KPMG tax experts
Thomson Reuters Tax & Accounting
April 22, 2025
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Electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) is shaking up the world of global tax compliance. Even though its widespread adoption is still in its early stages, it’s already showing huge potential to change how businesses handle their tax responsibilities. While there are challenges with regulatory changes and global implementation, the benefits of smoother processes and improved compliance are undeniable.
To gain a deeper understanding of the future of global e-invoicing and its implications for businesses, we recently interviewed a group of tax experts from KPMG. These industry leaders are at the forefront of integrating e-invoicing compliance at corporations worldwide. Whether you’re a part of a large multinational corporation or a smaller business, their insights will provide invaluable guidance for these rapidly evolving mandates.
Read The Article
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The UK’s Failure To Prevent Fraud Act
by: Luke Cass, Joe D. Whitley, Audrey Karman, Ting-Yu Huang, Emma Radmore of Womble Bond Dickinson (US) natlawreview.com
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
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Effective September 1, 2025, the UK’s Failure to Prevent Fraud offense will go into effect as part of the UK’s Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (the ECCTA). The law significantly expands corporate liability for fraud committed by employees and other associated persons of relevant corporates and will require compliance refinement for any business within scope of the offense operating in connection with the UK. The UK government (its Home Office) published guidance in 2024 (the “Guidance”) to help companies navigate this corporate criminal fraud offense as well as take appropriate action to help prevent fraud.
Read The Article
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AARP Fraud Report: Millions at Risk as Scams Surge for Fifth Consecutive Year
New findings reveal alarming gaps in consumer security habits and awareness, leaving Americans vulnerable to evolving fraud tactics
AARP Press Room
press.aarp.org
Apr 22, 2025
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A new report from the AARP Fraud Watch Network underscores the growing concern of fraud among American consumers, as criminals continue to take advantage of widespread security vulnerabilities. The study examines emerging fraud trends and outlines essential protective measures consumers can adopt in an increasingly digital landscape. According to the report, more than 276 million adults were exposed to cyber threats by downloading unverified apps or taking online quizzes on social media from unreliable sources. Additionally, an estimated 203 million adults have not enabled multifactor authentication across all their online accounts, leaving them more susceptible to hacking and identity theft. Overall, the research stresses the importance of taking small actions to stay protected from major losses.
“Criminals are continuously evolving to target consumers where they are, no matter the device or medium,” said Kathy Stokes, AARP director of fraud prevention programs. “We must collectively work with our friends, family, and neighbors to share what we know about ways to shore up our defenses, and to report when these crimes occur to combat future crimes.”
Read The Article
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Below is a list of WorldWide Affiliates currently serving the profession. If your area is not represented please consider partnering with ICI by contacting us today!
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ICI World Wide Affiliates
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Contact: Mr Aminur Rahman
Email: info@aaa-associate.com
Tel: +88 01749 400600
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Contact: Soulémane BABA DAMAGUI
Email: sbabadamagui@gmail.com
Tel: +0022997492600
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Contact: Mr Humphrey Chawafambira
Email: humphrey@internalcontrolinstitute.co.bw
Tel: +267 75618647
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Contact: Mr Eduardo Person Pardini
Email: eduardo@crossoverbrazil.com
Tel: +55 11 2599 8360
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Contact: Mr Eric Kamegne
Email: eric.kamegne@ipeonline.net
Tel: +237 658 292 978
Our first CICS session in April is online only
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Contact: Mr Qiu Jianting
Email: cert@neikong.com
Tel: 400-098-1119 or 010 68004176
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Contact: Mr.Nikolai Triffet
Email: nikolai@icib.org
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Contact: Mr Summit Goyal
Email: info@bncglobal.in
Tel: +91 9810 575 613
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Contact: Mr Nereo Guzman Mendoza
Email: nguzman@businesssolutionvalley.com
Tel: +52 811 181 3514
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Contact: Mr Belal Abdul Jabbar
Email: b.ajabbar@osooltc.com
Tel: +962 6 5927171
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Contact: Mr Yazid Berrada
Email: yazid.berrada@bcloud.ma
Tel: +212 (0) 522-872-585
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Contact: Mr Joel Aluko
Email: tunjialuko5@yahoo.com
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Contact: Mr Muhammad Farooq Hammodi
Email: nardac_k@yahoo.com
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Contact: Mr Cosmin Serbanescu
Email: contact@incir.ro
Tel: +40 752 525 525
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Contact: Ms Sedie Jane Masite
Email: sediem52@gmail.com or info@ciagol.com
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Contact: Ms Nadia Yaich
Email: nadia.yaich@bfc.com.tn
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Contact: Ms Ilknur Tunc
Email: ilknur.tunc@iciturkey.org
Tel: +90 312 442 50 15
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Contact: Mr Jesus Salazar Ras
Email: salazarras1970@gmail.com
Tel: +58 426 737 8096 or + 58 416 291 3788
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Contact: Mr Nguyen Thanh Tung
Email: info@fmit.vn
Tel: 848 3803 5020
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Contact: Dr Proctor Nyemba
Email: admin@internalcontrolinstitute.co.zw
Tel: +263 4 443124
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Control Quote
If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month.
Theodore Roosevelt
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The Internal Control Institute™ (ICI) is a worldwide organization devoted exclusively to internal control and corporate governance. The Institute is dedicated to the development of world-class educational programs and best practice guidelines on internal control and corporate governance, based on the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the COSO internal control framework.
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