Tag: Vince Walden

Categories
Blog

What Data to Ask For and How to Ask for It

I recently had the opportunity to visit with Vince Walden, founder and CEO of KonaAI, for a podcast series on the uses of data driven compliance. KonaAI is the sponsor of those podcasts. This blog post series will flesh out the podcast show notes over the next five blog posts, and we will discuss generative AI and ChatGPT in compliance, the profiles of a corrupt payment, making the business case for data-driven compliance, what to ask for and how to ask for it and some success stories. In Part 4, we will explore what data to ask for and how to ask for it.

As always, I am joined by Vince Walden, founder and CEO of KonaAI. There is a quiet revolution happening in the realm of compliance. It’s one that, if harnessed correctly, can turn a typically reactive process into a proactive strategy. I am, of course, talking about data-driven compliance. By using the vast amounts of data your organization collects, you can uncover potential compliance risks before they become actual problems. This approach can be a game-changer for your role as a compliance officer and your organization’s overall risk management strategy. No longer will you be caught off guard. Instead, you’ll lead the charge with real-time insights and actionable data.

Imagine a world where compliance isn’t a headache but a strategic advantage. You’re not constantly putting out fires but predicting and preventing them. It might sound like a dream, but it doesn’t have to be. How so? Well, by adopting a data-driven approach to compliance. This innovative method allows you to identify, assess, and manage potential compliance risks based on actual data. It’s about staying one step ahead, making informed decisions, and truly adding value to your organization. It’s not just about avoiding penalties and meeting regulations anymore. It’s about creating an environment of continuous improvement and proactive risk management.

Let’s paint a picture. You’re in a game of chess. But in this game, you’re not just reacting to your opponent’s moves. You’re anticipating them, strategizing, and making proactive decisions. That’s the power a data-driven approach to compliance can bring to your role as a compliance officer. It’s more than just crunching numbers and keeping up with regulations. It’s about leveraging the power of data to identify and mitigate risks before they materialize. It’s about transforming compliance from a cost center into a strategic asset. So, if you’re curious about how to make this data-driven shift, buckle up because we’re about to dive deep into this transformative realm.

Compliance monitoring and risk assessment are crucial components of any effective compliance program. In a recent episode of the podcast “Data Driven Compliance,” hosted by Tom Fox and featuring Vince Walden, the topic of continuous compliance monitoring and risk assessment process was explored in depth. This article aims to comprehensively analyze the critical factors that impact this process, discuss the tradeoffs involved in balancing different factors, and explore the challenges associated with other approaches.

Vince highlighted the importance of starting with a fraud risk assessment. This initial step allows organizations to identify high-frequency and high-impact risks and implement mitigating controls. Compliance professionals can prioritize their efforts and focus on the most critical areas by assessing the likelihood and impact of various risks on a scale of one to ten.

Data sources play a crucial role in risk assessment. Financial accounting systems and third-party data are valuable sources of information for identifying and mitigating risks. Tracking and categorizing expenses in accounting systems is significant for identifying anomalies and assigning risk scores. Vince highlighted the significance of having a centralized system, such as the Kona platform, to streamline this process.

However, relying solely on analytics without integrating them into the fraud risk assessment would be best. He emphasized the need for alignment between data analysis and risk assessment to ensure efforts are focused on addressing the identified risks. Simply conducting data analytics without considering the underlying risks may not yield meaningful results.

One of the challenges in continuous compliance monitoring and risk assessment is the availability and accessibility of data. Some data sources may need help, requiring compliance professionals to prioritize based on the ease of data acquisition and its value. For example, if faced with choosing to conduct a data analytics project in Brazil or China, Walden suggested starting with Brazil due to the relative ease of obtaining data from that region.

Another challenge lies in the scope of compliance monitoring. Walden emphasized that compliance monitoring is not a one-time, all-encompassing effort. It is a journey that involves proactively assessing risks and monitoring them from location to location. Compliance professionals should focus on demonstrating continuous improvement rather than tackling all threats at once. This approach aligns with regulators’ expectations of an effective due diligence program.

In addition to the primary focus on risk assessment, Walden highlighted the importance of considering ancillary areas of inquiry. For instance, looking at places such as charitable donations or marketing spending can provide valuable insights into potential risks of bribery or corruption. The KonaAI tool can help correlate these ancillary data points and provide a more comprehensive view of compliance risks.

In conclusion, continuous compliance monitoring and risk assessment require a thoughtful and balanced approach. Organizations can identify and prioritize risks, starting with a comprehensive fraud risk assessment. Data sources, such as financial accounting systems and third-party data, play a crucial role in this process. However, aligning data analytics with the identified risks is essential to ensure meaningful results. Compliance professionals should also consider the data availability challenges and scope of compliance monitoring. Organizations can meet regulatory expectations and enhance their compliance programs by demonstrating continuous improvement and considering ancillary areas of inquiry.

Resources:

Connect with Vince Walden on LinkedIn

Check out KonaAI

Connect with Tom Fox on LinkedIn

Categories
Data Driven Compliance

The Uses of Data Driven Compliance: Part 3 – Making the Business Case for Data Driven Compliance

Welcome to Data Driven Compliance. In this podcast, we discuss how to use data to improve and enhance the effectiveness of your compliance program, creating greater business efficiency, all leading to more return on investment for your compliance regime. Join host Tom Fox as he explores how data will drive your compliance program to the next level. This podcast is sponsored by KonaAI.

I recently had the opportunity to visit with Vince Walden, founder and CEO of KonaAI, for a podcast series on the uses of data driven compliance. Over these five podcasts, we will discuss generative AI and ChatGPT in compliance, the profiles of a corrupt payment, making the business case for data-driven compliance, what to ask for and how to ask for it, and some success stories. Part 3 discusses how to make the business case for data-driven compliance.

Vince Walden, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in compliance and risk management, is the founder and CEO of KonaAI, a software company specializing in automating data management for compliance and fraud risk management. Walden believes that compliance professionals play a crucial role in data-driven risk management. He emphasizes the need for these professionals to make a business case for data-driven compliance to both risk professionals and the CFO or head of operations.

According to Walden, data-driven compliance not only aligns with regulatory expectations and avoids risks, but it also improves the overall functioning of the business by identifying hidden money, reducing costs, eliminating waste and fraud, and preventing improper payments. His perspective is shaped by his extensive experience in the field, including his work as a consultant, fraud investigator, and forensic technologist. Join Tom Fox and Vince Walden as they delve deeper into this topic on this episode of Data Driven Compliance.

Key Highlights:

  • The Importance of Data Driven Compliance
  • Effectively Conveying Compliance Value to CFOs
  • The Impact of Data Driven Compliance
  • Maximizing Compliance ROI through Risk Mitigation

Resources:

Connect with Vince Walden on LinkedIn

Check out Kona AI

Connect with Tom Fox on LinkedIn

Categories
Blog

Making the Business Case for Data Driven Compliance

I recently had the opportunity to visit with Vince Walden, founder and CEO of KonaAI, for a podcast series on the uses of data driven compliance. KonaAI is the sponsor of those podcasts. This blog post series will flesh out the podcast show notes. Over the next five blog posts, we will discuss generative AI and ChatGPT in compliance, the profiles of corrupt payments, making the business case for data-driven compliance, what to ask for and how to ask for it, and some success stories. Part 3 will discuss making the business case for data-driven compliance.

Vince Walden, the CEO and founder of KonaAI, is here with me as always. Walden pointed out a dual aspect to this, bringing risk and financial perspectives into play. The risk perspective aligns with meeting expectations from the Department of Justice, SEC, or other regulatory bodies, which include culture alignment and prudent data handling. The financial end deals with a knock-on effect of compliance: a potential improvement in financial performance by curtailing revenue leakage through fraud and improper payments. This is what compliance professionals do every day. In regulated industries, however, it is not simply about convincing others of the necessity. It is also about aligning the company’s tools and methods to meet the expectations of external regulatory bodies. In an ideal world, a company’s compliance goals should align with its business goals. But achieving this balance is easier said than done.

While regulatory compliance is important, businesses are about generating revenue and turning a profit. Balancing compliance with profitability can often seem like a tightrope walk. But businesses need to realize that this balance is possible and beneficial in more ways than one. Compliance and profitability could coexist with the help of a business-savvy compliance tool. Compliance professionals need to distance themselves from a narrow focus on policies and enforcement. A broader perspective, including understanding the importance of data-driven metrics and business context, can position these professionals as valuable contributors to an organization’s bottom line. Yet Walden warned against complacency, saying that professionals who only focus on regulation and leave the business aspect by the wayside can find themselves marginalized.

Increasingly, companies realize the value of having multiple perspectives at the decision-making table. While finance and internal audit have always been pivotal, including compliance in these discussions provides a more rounded view. This broad-based approach can unlock novel insights into operational efficiency, risk mitigation, and more. The dialogue between compliance, finance, and procurement has been improving. Industries like telecommunications, oil and gas, technology, and pharmaceuticals are leading this change, recognizing the value of integrated discussions. Vince stresses the need for transparency in transactions that pose risks to the organization and sees compliance professionals playing a significant role in these discussions.

One of the greatest challenges of being a compliance professional is speaking the language of the CFO and financial stakeholders. Convincing them about the monetary benefits of compliance involves more than just throwing around regulation jargon – it requires the ability to present your case strategically. Compliance professionals understand their audience and tailor their discussions accordingly. He advises professionals to focus on how data-driven compliance can save money, improve efficiencies, and prevent improper payments. This is how to get the CFO and other financial stakeholders on board and win them over with the business case for compliance.

Walden emphasizes the importance of understanding the CFO’s financial language to argue for effectively implementing data-driven compliance. Compliance professionals must demonstrate the return on investment and the success of compliance and fraud risk management programs. Key performance indicators such as dollar recoveries and risks avoided can be used to measure the impact of data-driven compliance. Walden also highlighted the significance of finding hidden money and stopping improper payments before they occur. By utilizing data-driven metrics, compliance professionals can identify the riskiest transactions and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. This not only aligns with the DOJ’s expectations but also improves the overall functioning of the business.

Also of significance is the role of compliance professionals in finance and procurement. More and more companies are recognizing the need to have compliance professionals at the table when making financial decisions. Compliance professionals must be able to speak the language of CFOs and help them understand the importance of compliance in reducing costs, eliminating waste, and preventing improper payments.

To make a compelling business case, compliance professionals should focus on the financial benefits of data-driven compliance. For example, if a company disburses hundreds of millions or billions of dollars in accounts payable payments to third parties, implementing a risk scoring system can help identify the top ten riskiest transactions at risk for fraud, waste, and abuse. The company can recover millions of dollars by investing a relatively small amount, such as $200,000, resulting in a significant return on investment.

It is also important for compliance professionals to collaborate with finance, procurement, and internal audit teams. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and COSO collaborated on writing the COSO Fraud Risk Management Guide, which offers useful advice for running a fraud risk management program. The principles outlined in this guide align with the DOJ’s guidance on effective compliance programs. Compliance professionals should take the initiative to engage with CFOs, heads of accounting, and heads of internal audit to foster collaboration and ensure compliance efforts are aligned with overall business objectives.

Compliance professionals play a vital role in data-driven risk management. By making a compelling business case for data-driven compliance, they can demonstrate the financial benefits, such as preventing fraud, improving cash flow, and uncovering hidden funds. Collaboration with CFOs and other key stakeholders is crucial to ensure compliance efforts are integrated into overall business strategies. Compliance professionals must continue to adapt and evolve their understanding of finance and procurement to effectively communicate the importance of data-driven compliance in mitigating risks and driving business success.

Finally, remember that data-driven compliance can improve financial performance and ROI. By harnessing the power of data to inform compliance activities, professionals in regulated industries can effectively navigate complex regulatory landscapes, minimize risks, and optimize business operations. The steps in making a business case for data-driven compliance lay the foundation for success, enabling professionals to leverage data insights, drive informed decision-making, and, ultimately, drive better business outcomes. Embrace data-driven compliance and unlock the potential for improved financial performance and ROI—within your reach.

 Resources:

Connect with Vince Walden on LinkedIn

Check out KonaAI

Connect with Tom Fox on LinkedIn

Categories
Blog

Profiles of Corrupt Payments

I recently had the opportunity to visit with Vince Walden, founder and CEO of KonaAI, for a podcast series on the uses of data driven compliance. KonaAI is the sponsor of those podcasts. This blog post series will flesh out the podcast show notes. Over the next five blog posts, we will discuss generative AI and ChatGPT in compliance, the profiles of corrupt payments, making the business case for data-driven compliance, what to ask for and how to ask for it, and some success stories. In Part 2, we will consider the profiles of a corrupt payment.

The episode highlighted research by MIT and KonaAI that examined $75 billion in payments from various companies to identify characteristics associated with high-risk payments. For businesses looking to identify and stop improper payments, the MIT and KonaAI research offered useful insights. Key attributes that were found to be associated with high-risk payments included payments made without purchase orders, payments flagged by anti-corruption keywords, and payments that significantly deviated from the norm. These attributes were often relevant in the data that humans tagged as high-risk.

One of the key takeaways from the research is the importance of investigating red flags in sales increases. A case study was presented in the episode, highlighting a suspicious sales increase in a Polish province. Contributions to a charitable organization came with increased sales, which raised questions about potential corruption or bribery. This case study emphasizes that compliance officers and risk professionals must monitor commissions, sales incentives, and margins to identify potential bribery and corruption issues.

Companies are encouraged to leverage data analysis tools like KonaAI to identify high-risk payments and prevent corporate corruption. These tools can help track and identify improper payments, providing transparency and easy access to financial accounting data for compliance professionals. By combining financial accounting data with data analysis capabilities, companies can gain insights into payment patterns and detect anomalies that may indicate potential corruption.

However, it is important to note that tradeoffs are involved in balancing different factors when identifying high-risk payments. Compliance officers and risk professionals must carefully consider the impact of their decisions on the business. The podcast episode highlighted the analogy of brakes on a car, emphasizing that the purpose of brakes is not to slow down but to enable the car to go fast and stop when necessary. Similarly, compliance efforts aim to facilitate business growth while ensuring ethical practices and preventing corruption.

The episode also discussed the challenges of identifying high-risk payments and preventing corporate corruption. One challenge is the need for collaboration among companies in an anonymous way to analyze the profiles of improper payments. The research conducted by MIT and KonaAI demonstrated the potential of such collaboration in identifying common risk triggers and profiles of high-risk payments. However, ensuring data privacy and confidentiality is crucial in such collaborative efforts.

In conclusion, identifying high-risk payments and preventing corporate corruption require a comprehensive approach that combines data analysis, collaboration, and a focus on business growth. The MIT and KonaAI research offers useful insights into the characteristics of high-risk payments. Compliance officers and risk professionals are urged to leverage data analysis tools and closely monitor payment patterns to detect and prevent improper payments. By balancing compliance efforts and business objectives, companies can mitigate corruption risks and foster a culture of transparency and integrity.

Examining data is like peering into a crystal ball that projects the inner workings of a business, but only if you know what to look for. One essential facet is sales performance. Even the tiniest irregularities can be a hint of greater issues at hand, such as improper payments. So, understanding and tracking sales data, be it a sudden sales surge in a particular area or an individual outperforming all expectations, is quite crucial.  Walden emphasized the importance of transparency in analyzing sales data. If figures shoot up in a specific region or uncannily exceptional sales are tied to a particular individual, Vince suggests investigating to find out more. The key here, he describes, is the ability to spot these oddities before they morph into a serious problem. Transparency in financial analysis, Vince implores us, can be a game-changer in tracking down and rectifying improper payments.

Third-party relationships can be as much a source of risk as any other part of a business. Keeping tabs on the financial activities of entities such as distributors, commission sales agents, and joint venture partners is therefore imperative. Monitoring these relationships to minimize the risks of improper payments. Walden suggests that the same strategies used to interpret company data for potential risks can also be utilized for third-party relationships. Compliance officers can pair financial analysis with tools like KonaAI to actively monitor anomalies or suspicious transactions. In this scenario, compliance officers can be armed with the right tools and data to monitor and, if required, mitigate any suspicious financial activities related to third-party relationships.

Extending data analysis to third parties is no longer nice; in today’s compliance and fraud-risk environment, it is a business necessity. Monitoring these outside relationships closely provides another layer of security and reduces the breeding ground for unethical activities like improper payments. By integrating financial data with tools like these, compliance officers can actively keep an eye out for anything unusual. This way, companies are not only ensuring that their internal affairs are in order but are also making sure that their external associations are clean and ethical. It’s an insight into how companies can use strategic data analysis to maintain regulatory compliance.

The bottom line is that compliance officers are the guardrails that keep a company on track. Their role is two-pronged – facilitate business growth and, at the same time, deter the business from veering off into unethical practices. Compliance officers ensure the company is always one step ahead in identifying and addressing compliance risks. A balance between growth enablement and ethical conduct is needed to steer the course towards success.

Finally, as compliance officers, you have the power to make a significant impact by preventing improper payments and preserving your organization’s reputation. By embracing the learnings from this podcast episode, you can confidently navigate the challenges of today’s complex business environment and ensure that your efforts contribute to a culture of transparency and ethical behavior. Together, we can create a stronger, more accountable business world.

Resources:

Connect with Vince Walden on LinkedIn

Check out KonaAI

Connect with Tom Fox on LinkedIn

Categories
Data Driven Compliance

The Uses of Data Driven Compliance: Part 2 – Profiles of a Corrupt Payment

Welcome to Data Driven Compliance. In this podcast, we discuss how to use data to improve and enhance the effectiveness of your compliance program, creating greater business efficiency and leading to a higher return on investment for your compliance regime. Join host Tom Fox as he explores how data will drive your compliance program to the next level. This podcast is sponsored by Kona AI.

I recently had the opportunity to visit with Vince Walden, founder and CEO of KonaAI, for a podcast series on the uses of data driven compliance. Over these five podcasts, we will discuss generative AI and ChatGPT in compliance, the profiles of corrupt payments, making the business case for data-driven compliance, what to ask for and how to ask for it, and some success stories. In Part 2, we explore the profiles of corrupt payments.

Vince Walden is an expert in identifying high-risk payments and preventing corporate corruption. His belief in the ability of data analysis and collaboration to find patterns and warning signs shapes his viewpoint on these issues. He shares his experience from a research project where companies collaborated anonymously to analyze the profiles of improper payments, using risk-scoring transactions and applying anti-corruption tests to identify high-risk attributes. Vince emphasizes the importance of transparency and access to data to proactively investigate suspicious activities, serving as a guardrail to prevent potential corruption. Join Tom Fox and Vince Walden as they delve deeper into this topic on this Data Driven Compliance podcast episode.

Key Highlights:

  • Attributes of High-Risk Payments Analysis
  • Uncovering Suspicious Sales Spikes in Poland
  • Detecting Improper Payments with Data Analysis

Resources:

Connect with Vince Walden on LinkedIn

Check out Kona AI

Connect with Tom Fox on LinkedIn

Categories
Data Driven Compliance

The Uses of Data Driven Compliance: Part 1 – What’s the Hype?

Welcome to Data Driven Compliance. In this podcast, we discuss how to use data to improve and enhance the effectiveness of your compliance program, creating greater business efficiency, all leading to more return on investment for your compliance regime. Join host Tom Fox as he explores how data will drive your compliance program to the next level. This podcast is sponsored by KonaAI.

I recently had the opportunity to visit with Vince Walden, founder and CEO of KonaAI, for a podcast series on the uses of data driven compliance. Over these five podcasts, we will discuss generative AI and ChatGPT in compliance, the profiles of corrupt payments, making the business case for data-driven compliance, what to ask for and how to ask for it, and some success stories. In Part 1, we ask, ‘What’s all the hype around generative AI and ChatGPT in compliance’?

Vince Walden is a seasoned professional in the field of generative AI and chatbots, with a particular focus on compliance monitoring. He firmly believes that these technologies have the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of compliance monitoring significantly. Drawing from her extensive experience in technology-assisted review and his current role at KonaAI, Walden sees practical applications for generative AI in navigating compliance monitoring functions and interacting with data dashboards, eliminating manual intervention. However, he also acknowledges the potential pitfalls of over-reliance on generative AI, such as the risk of false statements and the need for fact-checking. Despite these challenges, Walden remains optimistic about the future of generative AI and chatbots in transforming the compliance industry and explains why you should.

Key Highlights:

  • The Evolution of Compliance Monitoring with Generative AI
  • Efficient Compliance Monitoring with Generative AI
  • The Importance of Fact-Checking ChatGPT
  • Customizable Compliance Monitoring Tool for Companies

Resources:

Connect with Vince Walden on LinkedIn

Check out KonaAI

Connect with Tom Fox on LinkedIn

Categories
Blog

Revolutionizing Compliance Monitoring with Generative AI and Chat GPT

I recently had the opportunity to visit with Vince Walden, founder and CEO of KonaAI, for a podcast series on the uses of data driven compliance. KonaAI is the sponsor of those podcasts. This blog post series will flesh out the podcast show notes. Over the next five blog posts, we will discuss generative AI and ChatGPT in compliance, the profiles of corrupt payments, making the business case for data-driven compliance, what to ask for and how to ask for it, and some success stories. In Part 1, we will consider using generative AI and ChatGPT for compliance.

My special guest is Vince Walden, a trailblazer spearheading transformative advancements in the compliance industry through the innovative use of data and data analytics. Vince’s grounding in generative AI and Chat GPT has enabled him to push the boundaries of traditional compliance monitoring. His knack for simplifying complex concepts has won him acclaim at numerous conferences, where he frequently shares his expertise. Vince’s novel strategies are revolutionary and rapidly becoming the new standard in the field.

Together with Walden, we will explore how compliance professionals can enhance their monitoring efficiency through generative AI and Chat GPT. Having worked extensively in the compliance and data arenas, Walden understands the challenges compliance professionals face in navigating the complex regulatory landscape. He shares his expertise and highlights practical use cases of Chat GPT in compliance monitoring, demonstrating how it can streamline the decision-making process. We will provide actionable strategies for improving compliance monitoring and addressing compliance professionals’ pain points.

You have probably heard of Generative AI. What is the hype about it? Generative AI does not just analyze data—it creates or “generates” responses or outputs based on the given data. Something like a brilliant virtual assistant! Walden discussed some of the uses. He mentioned how these AI chatbots can interact directly with a compliance dashboard. This means it is more than simply about reading data—it is about interpreting it and helping make navigating tons of data more accessible. It provides recommendations, insights, and options based on what it’s looking at. This could eliminate the need to click around on your dashboard.

AI is pretty good with data. But what about qualitative information? You might be wondering if you can leave everything entirely to AI. Walden adds a bit of a reality check here by reminding us of the importance of human intervention in checking the AI’s output. There is a downside to relying exclusively on AI’s output. A compliance professional must take results at face value. There is a need for validation and fact-checking to ensure we’re not accidentally spreading misinformation or making decisions based on false statements. It’s like that saying, “Trust but verify.”

One of the key challenges associated with generative AI and chatbots in compliance monitoring is striking the right balance between automation and human oversight. While chatbots can assist in navigating and analyzing data, human judgment and expertise are still crucial in interpreting the results and making informed decisions. Compliance professionals must ensure that the rules and algorithms used by the chatbots are accurate and aligned with regulatory requirements.

Another consideration is data privacy and security. Using generative AI and chatbots within a secure platform that protects sensitive information is essential. Compliance professionals should avoid sending data to third-party providers and ensure privacy regulations are followed.

Despite these challenges, generative AI and chatbots in compliance monitoring are promising. By leveraging these technologies, compliance teams can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the overall effectiveness of their monitoring processes. The ability to customize review strategies based on different risk thresholds and areas of concern further enhances the value of these tools.

The bottom line is that generative AI and chatbots are set to revolutionize compliance monitoring by providing professionals with more efficient and interactive ways to navigate data and identify potential compliance issues. While there are tradeoffs and challenges to consider, the benefits of these technologies in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness are significant. Compliance professionals must exercise caution, fact-check the output of generative AI, and maintain human oversight to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations. As compliance monitoring continues to evolve, the integration of generative AI and chatbots will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping its future.

The steps outlined in the article – leveraging generative AI and Chat GPT for compliance monitoring – are pivotal in helping compliance professionals achieve improved monitoring efficiency. By using generative AI to analyze large volumes of data in real time, compliance professionals can detect anomalies and potential violations more efficiently than ever. Additionally, the automation of compliance checks through Chat GPT significantly reduces the burden of manual reviews and frees up valuable time for proactive monitoring activities. These technological advancements enhance monitoring accuracy and streamline the decision-making process, allowing compliance professionals to make informed and timely decisions. By adopting these innovative tools, compliance professionals can achieve improved compliance monitoring results and ensure organizational adherence to regulations.

 Resources:

Connect with Vince Walden on LinkedIn

Check out KonaAI

Connect with Tom Fox on LinkedIn

Categories
Data Driven Compliance

Data Driven Compliance: Vincent Walden – Analyzing the Philips FCPA Enforcement Action Using AI

Are you struggling to keep up with the ever-changing compliance programs in your business? Look no further than the award-winning Data Driven Compliance podcast, hosted by Tom Fox, is a podcast featuring an in-depth conversation around the uses of data and data analytics in compliance programs.

Data Driven Compliance is back with another exciting episode featuring the insightful Vince Walden from KonaAI. In this episode, Walden and host Tom Fox discuss how data analytics can help uncover potential FCPA enforcement actions, using the Philips case as an example. They delve into the benefits of internal controls and the segregation of duties to prevent bribery and corruption. Walden goes on to examine the customer 360 model, which focuses on analyzing customer orders to pinpoint risky transactions and potential improper payments. Additionally, they explore Kona AI’s platform, which utilizes advanced algorithms to pick up problems and highlight high-risk transactions.

The podcast also features a discussion on the use of artificial intelligence and how machine learning can help compliance professionals identify anomalies that require investigation. You won’t want to miss the exciting upcoming episode where Walden showcases real-world examples of how companies can use machine learning in 2023.  Tune in to Data Driven Compliance and stay ahead of the curve in the compliance world!

Key Highlights

·      Data analytics for FCPA compliance detection

·      Kona AI’s Customer Analytics and Risk Assessment

·      Improper Vendor Payments Tracking

·      The importance of second level reviews in internal control

·      Analytics and Investigating Fraud Potential

·      Improving Precision in Machine Learning Models

KEY QUOTES

“Just those basic type of analytics could have been easily spotted these issues.”

“These are the types of things that when you could just sort, you would be able to find those high risk transactions.”

“Nowadays the technology is there to spot these types of activities when compliance has access to the data.”

“Let’s see if this event took place. And he just did a simple Google search on the Internet couldn’t find the event.”

Resources:

Vince Walden on LinkedIn 

KonaAI

 Tom Fox 

Connect with me on the following sites:

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Categories
Compliance Week Conference Podcast

Vince Walden on Using Data Analytics to Improve Compliance

In this episode of the Compliance Week 2023 Speaker Preview Podcasts series, Vince Walden discusses some of his panel at Compliance Week 2023,  “Data Analytics to Improve Compliance.”

Some of the issues he will discuss in his presentations are:

  • The expectations for compliance professionals in using data analytics in their programs;
  • Insights from both sides of the coin – government and compliance professionals on lessons in creating and cultivating data-driven compliance programs; and
  • A sense of what’s coming down the pike, including technical advancements creating opportunities for compliance, ethics, and risk professionals

I hope you can join me at Compliance Week 2023. This year’s event will be May 15-17 at the JW Marriott in Washington, DC. The line-up of this year’s event is simply first-rate, with some of the top ethics and compliance practitioners around.

Gain insights and make connections at the industry’s premier cross-industry national compliance event offering knowledge-packed, accredited sessions and take-home advice from the most influential leaders in the compliance community. Back for its 18th year, compliance, ethics, legal, and audit professionals will gather safely face-to-face to benchmark best practices and gain the latest tactics and strategies to enhance their compliance programs. And many others to:

  • Network with your peers, including C-suite executives, legal professionals, HR leaders, and ethics and compliance visionaries.
  • Hear from 75+ respected cross-industry practitioners who are CEOs, CCOs, regulators, federal officials, and practitioners to help inform and shape the strategic direction of your enterprise risk management program.
  • Hear directly from the two SEC Commissioners, gain insights into the agency’s enforcement areas, and walk away with guidance on remaining compliant within emerging areas such as ESG disclosure, third-party risk management, cybersecurity, cryptocurrency, and more.
  • Bring actionable takeaways from your program from various session types, including ESG, Human Trafficking, Board obligations, and many others, for you to listen, learn and share.
  • Compliance Week aims to arm you with information, strategy, and tactics to transform your organization and career by connecting ethics to business performance through process augmentation and data visualization.

I hope you can join me at the event. For information on the event, click here. Listeners of this podcast will receive a discount of $200 by using code TF200 on the link here.

Categories
Data Driven Compliance

Vince Walden on a Data Driven Approach to Sanctions and ESG

Data Driven Compliance, hosted by Tom Fox, is a podcast featuring an in-depth conversation around the uses of data and data analytics in compliance programs. In this episode, host Tom Fox visits Vince Walden from Kona AI to discuss data driven compliance and new areas of risk, such as trade AML and trade sanctions. Vince provides an example of a heavy equipment manufacturer using RFIDs on their products to monitor movement, and Tom warns of heavy fines for companies who fail to comply with prevailing sanctions. The conversation continues as Vince and Tom touch on topics such as ESG compliance, financial implications of green initiatives, and consortiums for sharing data. They also discuss how data analytics and text analytics can be used to track inventory and the importance of tracking energy spend to identify ESG-compliant vendors.

Key Highlights

·      Sanctions & trade compliance are the new FCPA.

·      Data-driven compliance for sanctions & trade compliance.

·      Data-driven ESG?

·      The cost of meeting ESG standards.

·      Economic benefits of sustainability.

·      Research with MIT and Integrity Distributed on the data sharing consortium.

Notable Quotes

“It’s not hard. Now they have to put the chips on, which is a variable.”

“You really have to mine the supply chain and use, you know, text analytics, text mining beyond just traditional accounting tools. To get into the weeds in that supply chain to find out where risks are located.”

“It’s funny. This is why I love our profession that we’re all in. It’s compliance and any fraud professionals, there’s always something new, always something changing.”

 “With a much broader overview. So you can see the big picture.”

 Resources

Vince Walden on LinkedIn

KonaAI