GRC Report Staff

PCAOB Holds Heaton & Co. Accountable for Serious Failures in Audit Practices

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) took a strong stand today, holding Heaton & Co. and one of its partners, Kristofer Heaton, accountable for a series of significant violations. These lapses, which spanned audit documentation, quality control, and engagement reviews, have led to penalties, a firm registration revocation, and a professional ban for Heaton.

Danish Firms Lead the Charge in ESG Reporting, But Full CSRD Compliance Remains a Tough Climb

The wave of ESG reporting triggered by the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is sweeping across Europe, with Denmark leading the charge. But while Danish companies are ahead of the curve, a new analysis reveals that achieving full compliance remains an ambitious and complex goal, even for the early movers.

From Overhead to Advantage: Reframing GRC Investment

Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) is often seen as a necessary but burdensome overhead, essential for meeting regulatory demands but rarely viewed as a driver of business value. But what if that perception is holding your organization back? In a new guide titled From Overhead to Advantage: Reframing GRC Investment, we explore how GRC can shift from a passive function into a proactive strategic asset that not only ensures compliance but also accelerates growth and strengthens business resilience.

Evoke Wellness to Pay $1.9 Million After Misleading Consumers in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Ads

When you’re seeking help for substance use disorder, the last thing you need is to be misled. But that’s exactly what Evoke Wellness, a Florida-based treatment clinic, was accused of doing in a deceptive advertising scheme that spanned Google search ads and telemarketing.

Americas Securities to Pay $275,000 Fine for Reporting Violations

Americas Securities has reached a settlement with FINRA after admitting to multiple rule violations related to inaccurate trade reporting and supervisory failures. Under the terms of the settlement, the firm has agreed to pay a $275,000 fine and accept a censure.

EU Strengthens Financial Crime Fight with Updated High-Risk Country List

The European Commission is once again raising the stakes in the fight against financial crime by updating its list of high-risk countries. These jurisdictions, which exhibit significant gaps in their anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) frameworks, will now face increased scrutiny from EU financial institutions.

Justice Department Resumes Foreign-Bribery Investigations with Focus on U.S. Competitiveness & National Security

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) just announced that it will resume its foreign-bribery investigations, but with a narrowed focus aimed at protecting American businesses' ability to compete on the global stage and safeguarding national security. This decision follows a four-month review prompted by an executive order from President Trump, which had paused such investigations earlier this year.