#financial compliance officer

[regulatoryrisks]

The Evolving Role of Financial Compliance Officers Today

[theinnovatorsinsights]

With Innrly | Streamline Your Hospitality Operations

Manage all your hotels from anywhere | Transformation without transition

Managing a hotel or a multi-brand portfolio can be overwhelming, especially when juggling multiple systems, reports, and data sources. INNRLY, a cutting-edge hotel management software, revolutionizes the way hospitality businesses operate by delivering intelligent insights and simplifying workflows—all without the need for system changes or upgrades. Designed for seamless integration and powerful automation, INNRLY empowers hotel owners and managers to make data-driven decisions and enhance operational efficiency.

Revolutionizing Hotel Management

In the fast-paced world of hospitality, efficiency is the cornerstone of success. INNRLY’s cloud-based platform offers a brand-neutral, user-friendly interface that consolidates critical business data across all your properties. Whether you manage a single boutique hotel or a portfolio of properties spanning different regions, INNRLY provides an all-in-one solution for optimizing performance and boosting productivity.

One Dashboard for All Your Properties:

Say goodbye to fragmented data and manual processes. INNRLY enables you to monitor your entire portfolio from a single dashboard, providing instant access to key metrics like revenue, occupancy, labor costs, and guest satisfaction. With this unified view, hotel managers can make informed decisions in real time.

Customizable and Scalable Solutions:

No two hospitality businesses are alike, and INNRLY understands that. Its customizable features adapt to your unique needs, whether you're running a small chain or managing an extensive enterprise. INNRLY grows with your business, ensuring that your operations remain efficient and effective.

Seamless Integration for Effortless Operations:

One of INNRLY’s standout features is its ability to integrate seamlessly with your existing systems. Whether it's your property management system (PMS), accounting software, payroll/labor management tools, or even guest feedback platforms, INNRLY pulls data together effortlessly, eliminating the need for system overhauls.

Automated Night Audits:

Tired of labor-intensive night audits? INNRLY’s Night Audit+ automates this crucial process, providing detailed reports that are automatically synced with your accounting software. It identifies issues such as declined credit cards or high balances, ensuring no problem goes unnoticed.

A/R and A/P Optimization:

Streamline your accounts receivable (A/R) and accounts payable (A/P) processes to improve cash flow and avoid costly mistakes. INNRLY’s automation reduces manual entry, speeding up credit cycles and ensuring accurate payments.

Labor and Cost Management:

With INNRLY, you can pinpoint inefficiencies, monitor labor hours, and reduce costs. Detailed insights into overtime risks, housekeeping minutes per room (MPR), and other labor metrics help you manage staff productivity effectively.

Empowering Data-Driven Decisions:

INNRLY simplifies decision-making by surfacing actionable insights through its robust reporting and analytics tools.

Comprehensive Reporting:

Access reports on your schedule, from detailed night audit summaries to trial balances and franchise billing reconciliations. Consolidated data across multiple properties allows for easy performance comparisons and trend analysis.

Benchmarking for Success:

Compare your properties' performance against industry standards or other hotels in your portfolio. Metrics such as ADR (Average Daily Rate), RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room), and occupancy rates are presented in an easy-to-understand format, empowering you to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

Guest Satisfaction Insights:

INNRLY compiles guest feedback and satisfaction scores, enabling you to take prompt action to enhance the guest experience. Happy guests lead to better reviews and increased bookings, driving long-term success.

Key Benefits of INNRLY

Single Login, Full Control: Manage all properties with one login, saving time and reducing complexity.

Error-Free Automation: Eliminate manual data entry, reducing errors and increasing productivity.

Cost Savings: Pinpoint problem areas to reduce labor costs and optimize spending.

Enhanced Accountability: Hold each property accountable for issues flagged by INNRLY’s tools, supported by an optional Cash Flow Protection Team at the enterprise level.

Data Security: Protect your credentials and data while maintaining your existing systems.

Transforming Hospitality Without Transition

INNRLY’s philosophy is simple: transformation without transition. You don’t need to replace or upgrade your existing systems to benefit from INNRLY. The software integrates effortlessly into your current setup, allowing you to focus on what matters most—delivering exceptional guest experiences and achieving your business goals.

Who Can Benefit from INNRLY?

Hotel Owners:

For owners managing multiple properties, INNRLY offers a centralized platform to monitor performance, identify inefficiencies, and maximize profitability.

General Managers:

Simplify day-to-day operations with automated processes and real-time insights, freeing up time to focus on strategic initiatives.

Accounting Teams:

INNRLY ensures accurate financial reporting by syncing data across systems, reducing errors, and streamlining reconciliation processes.

Multi-Brand Portfolios:

For operators managing properties across different brands, INNRLY’s brand-neutral platform consolidates data, making it easy to compare and optimize performance.

Contact INNRLY Today

Ready to revolutionize your hotel management? Join the growing number of hospitality businesses transforming their operations with INNRLY.

Website: www.innrly.com

Email: contact@innrly.com

Phone: 833-311-0777

[recruitg]

Take Your Career to the Next Level with Recruit-G

Transform your career with Recruit-G! Discover exciting opportunities like Chief Financial Officer jobs in Delhi, Financial Planner jobs in Delhi, Compliance Officer jobs in Delhi, and Revenue Manager jobs in Delhi. Connect with top companies and unlock your potential in the finance industry today!

[ltetax-blogs]

10 Benefits of Hiring a Tax Accountant in Melbourne

Navigating the complexities of tax regulations in Australia can be a challenge for both individuals and businesses. Hiring the best tax accountant in Melbourne offers a range of advantages that can save you time, money, and stress.

Here are ten key benefits of engaging a tax accountant to manage your financial affairs:

Expertise in Australian Tax Laws: A qualified tax accountant stays updated with Australia's latest tax laws and regulations. Their in-depth knowledge ensures compliance with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requirements, reducing the risk of errors and penalties.

Maximised Tax Returns: Tax accountants are skilled at identifying legitimate deductions and credits you may not know. They help maximise your tax return by ensuring you claim everything you’re entitled to based on your income and expenses.

Time Savings: Preparing taxes can be time-consuming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the requirements. A tax accountant handles the preparation, submission, and follow-up, freeing up your time for other priorities.

Accurate Financial Records: Accurate financial records are essential for tax compliance and long-term financial planning. A tax accountant ensures that your records are organised, up-to-date, and ready for audits or reviews.

Strategic Tax Planning: Tax accountants advise structuring your finances to minimise tax liabilities. They can recommend strategies for future planning, such as investments or business changes, that align with your financial goals.

Assistance During Audits: If the ATO audits your financial records, having a tax accountant on your side can make a significant difference. They represent you during the process and ensure all documentation is accurate and complete.

Reduced Stress: Handling taxes alone can be overwhelming, especially if you have multiple income streams or complex financial situations. A tax accountant takes the stress out of tax season by managing the entire process for you.

Support for Business Growth: For business owners, a tax accountant offers valuable insights into cash flow management, profit margins, and tax obligations. Their advice helps you make informed decisions that contribute to the growth of your business.

Avoidance of Costly Mistakes: Mistakes in tax filings can lead to penalties and interest charges. A tax accountant’s expertise minimises the likelihood of errors, saving you from potential financial setbacks.

Tailored Advice for Your Needs: Every individual or business has unique financial circumstances. A tax accountant provides advice specific to your situation, helping you navigate tax matters confidently.

Conclusion

Hiring a tax accountant in Melbourne offers numerous advantages, from ensuring compliance with tax laws to optimising your financial outcomes. Their expertise and guidance provide peace of mind and allow you to focus on achieving your financial objectives with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re an individual taxpayer or a business owner, the benefits of professional tax support are undeniable.

[techminsolutions]

Landmark Ruling on Input Tax Credit by Honorable Madras High Court: Transforming GST Compliance for Businesses

A Groundbreaking Ruling on Input Tax Credit by the Honourable Madras High Court: Insights from SRI SHANMUGA HARDWARES ELECTRICALS Case In the intricate realm of tax compliance and regulatory frameworks, the Honourable Madras High Court has recently issued a landmark judgement that promises to significantly impact the way input tax credit (ITC) claims are approached in India. The case in question,…

[swisccfinds]

50 ONE LEVEL CAREERS: Storytelling careers megapack by isy's the snake

Here is yet another career mod pack, but this one has no promotions, you just work and your job level stays at 1. As the title say this mod is best for story telling!

creator's notes-

This mod requires XML Injector by Scumbumbo. You can find it here. Pay attention if you don't already have it for another mod! In that case, you do not need to re-install it. Be sure it is updated for the last patch.

XML Injector is a mod required for some mods to work. So, you install it as any other mod in your Mods folder, no more than one subfolder deep.

This mod has been updated for the version 1.99.305 of the game (second update after Horse Ranch).

It doesn't required any DLC to work. Base game compatible

I've adopted this mod from the amazing ItsKatato who, due to her hiring at EA, couldn't continue to mod. I have made some changes: • I have changes all the pics of the careers — now they all show Sims (please check the credits paragraph at the end to see who was the amazing raccoon who helped me); • I have updated the mod for the Horse Ranch patch; • I have cleared ALL the tuning errors; • Fixed the description of some careers who appeared to be missing.

Now, here we go with the explanation of the mod (originally written by ItsKatato, edited by me):

Katato said: "Have you ever had a story planned out for your sims but you can't find the perfect career for them? Most of the time when I find the career it ends up being a complicated career with a bunch of promotion tasks and extra stuff. Well, I've made a pack of a bunch of single-level careers. All your sim has to do is go to work, that's it. This is perfect for the non-important sims in your life, like the forgotten children of your legacy challenge." In short: those are 50 careers you can use for NPCs Sims or random Sims you do not want to care about. As Amethyst said: "Go to work, make money, leave me alone". Your Sims won't need any task to perform to upgrade and get a promotion, as well as they do not really need an ideal mood to go to work since it won't change their performance. They just go and do their job. And now the list of all careers:

1. Anesthetiologist 2. Cartographer 3. Chiropractor 4. Compliance Officer 5. Data Scientist 6. Dental Hygienist 7. Dentist 8. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer 9. Financial Advisor 10. Financial Manager 11. Genereal Surgeon 12. Genetic Counselor 13. Home Health Aide 14. Information Security Analyst 15. IT Manager 16. Interpreter And Translator 17. Lawyer 18. Marriage And Family Therapist 19. Massage Therapist 20. Mathematician 21. Mechanical Engineer 22. Medical And Health Services Manager 23. Nurse Anesthetist 24. Nurse Practitioner 25. Obstetrician And Gynecologist 26. Occupational Therapist 27. Operations Reasearch Analyst 28. Optometrist 29. Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeon 30. Orthodontist 31. Orthotist And Prosthetist 32. Paralegal 33. Pediatrician 34. Personal Care Aide 35. Phlebotomist 36. Physical Therapist 37. Physical Therapist Assistant 38. Physician 39. Physician Assistant 40. Pilot 41. Podiatrist 42. Prosthodontist 43. Psychiatrist 44. Registered Nurse 45. Respiratory Therapist 46. Software Developer 47. Speech-Language Pathologist 48. Statician 49. Substance Abuse And Behavioral Disorder Counselor 50. Veterinarian 51. Web Developer 52. Wind Turbine Technician 

lets give some of our love and support to isy!

download

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Keith Edwards at No Lies Detected:

Last Monday morning, I endured the spectacle of MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski defending their post-election pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago, marking their first meeting with Donald Trump in seven years. As they sat there reading from a prepared script, blissfully arrogant and hypocritical, a now-familiar nausea washed over me. It began in late October, when Jeff Bezos — with billions of dollars of business before the federal government — instructed the Washington Post’s publisher to break 36 years of precedent and make no endorsement in the most consequential election of our lives. I felt it again last week when CNN’s Dana Bash bizarrely both-sidesed the somehow unknowable politics of neo-Nazis on the march in Columbus. It was clear to me, as I’m sure it was to you, that Joe and Mika were afraid of what Trump 2.0 would do to them, which Brian Stelter’s CNN later confirmed. (See my YouTube video for my initial reaction).

[...]

Powerful media figures' craven capitulation to government power — before that power is even inaugurated — surely smacks of the preemptive compliance Snyder describes. Since we as Americans have no experience of authoritarian rule, speculating about what comes next is a challenge. To imagine what a returned Trump might do once in power, consider Russia’s experience during Vladimir Putin’s rise:  Four days after Putin’s inauguration as Russia’s president in May 2000, Russian federal tax agents raided the offices of NTV, one of the country’s few independent media outlets. NTV had pitilessly mocked the notoriously thin-skinned Putin; once he got to power, he wasted no time deploying the full force of the Russian federal government against it. Under the guise of financial crimes, NTV’s owner was swiftly arrested, imprisoned, and coerced into selling NTV to a pro-government conglomerate who would replace NTV’s journalists and make it a Kremlin mouthpiece. The following month, Putin summoned Russia’s most powerful business figures to the Kremlin where he made clear their new reality: Stay out of politics, and you all can keep your businesses, your wealth, and your freedom. In one fell swoop, the Russian state had cowed its media elites.

If you’re saying, “Well, that’s Russia and this is the United States,” compare the parallels between our country today and the Russia of 2000. Trump of course is pathetically sensitive to media criticism, and he has repeatedly made plain his intention to continue his weaponization of the federal government against his perceived enemies. Senate Republicans are eager to grant him his loyalist hacks as law enforcement officials (so long as they aren't generationally loathsome accused sexual predators!) who will unleash prosecutions against his enemies. As recently as today, Elon Musk — whose willingness to light money on fire extends from Twitter to Trump-Vance 2024  — has menaced MSNBC with a pro-Trump takeover. Meanwhile, social media and tech moguls fell over themselves to ingratiate themselves with Trump after his victory, having essentially shadowbanned political content prior to it. Trump moreover enters office with advantages Putin did not. He will be the first U.S. president with a media company of his own, which before Trump took a sledgehammer to our norms would have been unthinkable (though it worked out in Italy!). He enjoys the unlimited support of Elon Musk and his wholly owned and radicalized X, as well as of an emerging army of Gen Z podcast bros. Lastly, a rightwing legacy media propaganda machine consisting of Fox News, Newsmax, and OAN stands at the ready. A cinematic universe of Made-in-America state-run media served from your TV to your browser to your phone.

Dear Media: Do Nor Obey In Advance.

[unwelcome-ozian]

Weaponizing violence. With alarming regularity, the nation continues to be subjected to spates of violence that terrorizes the public, destabilizes the country’s ecosystem, and gives the government greater justifications to crack down, lock down, and institute even more authoritarian policies for the so-called sake of national security without many objections from the citizenry.

Weaponizing surveillance, pre-crime and pre-thought campaigns. Surveillance, digital stalking and the data mining of the American people add up to a society in which there’s little room for indiscretions, imperfections, or acts of independence. When the government sees all and knows all and has an abundance of laws to render even the most seemingly upstanding citizen a criminal and lawbreaker, then the old adage that you’ve got nothing to worry about if you’ve got nothing to hide no longer applies. Add pre-crime programs into the mix with government agencies and corporations working in tandem to determine who is a potential danger and spin a sticky spider-web of threat assessments, behavioral sensing warnings, flagged “words,” and “suspicious” activity reports using automated eyes and ears, social media, behavior sensing software, and citizen spies, and you having the makings for a perfect dystopian nightmare. The government’s war on crime has now veered into the realm of social media and technological entrapment, with government agents adopting fake social media identities and AI-created profile pictures in order to surveil, target and capture potential suspects.

Weaponizing digital currencies, social media scores and censorship. Tech giants, working with the government, have been meting out their own version of social justice by way of digital tyranny and corporate censorship, muzzling whomever they want, whenever they want, on whatever pretext they want in the absence of any real due process, review or appeal. Unfortunately, digital censorship is just the beginning. Digital currencies (which can be used as “a tool for government surveillance of citizens and control over their financial transactions”), combined with social media scores and surveillance capitalism create a litmus test to determine who is worthy enough to be part of society and punish individuals for moral lapses and social transgressions (and reward them for adhering to government-sanctioned behavior). In China, millions of individuals and businesses, blacklisted as “unworthy” based on social media credit scores that grade them based on whether they are “good” citizens, have been banned from accessing financial markets, buying real estate or travelling by air or train.

Weaponizing compliance. Even the most well-intentioned government law or program can be—and has been—perverted, corrupted and used to advance illegitimate purposes once profit and power are added to the equation. The war on terror, the war on drugs, the war on COVID-19, the war on illegal immigration, asset forfeiture schemes, road safety schemes, school safety schemes, eminent domain: all of these programs started out as legitimate responses to pressing concerns and have since become weapons of compliance and control in the police state’s hands.

Weaponizing entertainment. For the past century, the Department of Defense’s Entertainment Media Office has provided Hollywood with equipment, personnel and technical expertise at taxpayer expense. In exchange, the military industrial complex has gotten a starring role in such blockbusters as Top Gun and its rebooted sequel Top Gun: Maverick, which translates to free advertising for the war hawks, recruitment of foot soldiers for the military empire, patriotic fervor by the taxpayers who have to foot the bill for the nation’s endless wars, and Hollywood visionaries working to churn out dystopian thrillers that make the war machine appear relevant, heroic and necessary. As Elmer Davis, a CBS broadcaster who was appointed the head of the Office of War Information, observed, “The easiest way to inject a propaganda idea into most people’s minds is to let it go through the medium of an entertainment picture when they do not realize that they are being propagandized.”

Weaponizing behavioral science and nudging. Apart from the overt dangers posed by a government that feels justified and empowered to spy on its people and use its ever-expanding arsenal of weapons and technology to monitor and control them, there’s also the covert dangers associated with a government empowered to use these same technologies to influence behaviors en masse and control the populace. In fact, it was President Obama who issued an executive order directing federal agencies to use “behavioral science” methods to minimize bureaucracy and influence the way people respond to government programs. It’s a short hop, skip and a jump from a behavioral program that tries to influence how people respond to paperwork to a government program that tries to shape the public’s views about other, more consequential matters. Thus, increasingly, governments around the world—including in the United States—are relying on “nudge units” to steer citizens in the direction the powers-that-be want them to go, while preserving the appearance of free will.

Weaponizing desensitization campaigns aimed at lulling us into a false sense of security. The events of recent years—the invasive surveillance, the extremism reports, the civil unrest, the protests, the shootings, the bombings, the military exercises and active shooter drills, the lockdowns, the color-coded alerts and threat assessments, the fusion centers, the transformation of local police into extensions of the military, the distribution of military equipment and weapons to local police forces, the government databases containing the names of dissidents and potential troublemakers—have conspired to acclimate the populace to accept a police state willingly, even gratefully.

Weaponizing fear and paranoia. The language of fear is spoken effectively by politicians on both sides of the aisle, shouted by media pundits from their cable TV pulpits, marketed by corporations, and codified into bureaucratic laws that do little to make our lives safer or more secure. Fear, as history shows, is the method most often used by politicians to increase the power of government and control a populace, dividing the people into factions, and persuading them to see each other as the enemy. This Machiavellian scheme has so ensnared the nation that few Americans even realize they are being manipulated into adopting an “us” against “them” mindset. Instead, fueled with fear and loathing for phantom opponents, they agree to pour millions of dollars and resources into political elections, militarized police, spy technology and endless wars, hoping for a guarantee of safety that never comes. All the while, those in power—bought and paid for by lobbyists and corporations—move their costly agendas forward, and “we the suckers” get saddled with the tax bills and subjected to pat downs, police raids and round-the-clock surveillance.

Weaponizing genetics. Not only does fear grease the wheels of the transition to fascism by cultivating fearful, controlled, pacified, cowed citizens, but it also embeds itself in our very DNA so that we pass on our fear and compliance to our offspring. It’s called epigenetic inheritance, the transmission through DNA of traumatic experiences. For example, neuroscientists observed that fear can travel through generations of mice DNA. As The Washington Post reports, “Studies on humans suggest that children and grandchildren may have felt the epigenetic impact of such traumatic events such as famine, the Holocaust and the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.”

Weaponizing the future. With greater frequency, the government has been issuing warnings about the dire need to prepare for the dystopian future that awaits us. For instance, the Pentagon training video, “Megacities: Urban Future, the Emerging Complexity,” predicts that by 2030 (coincidentally, the same year that society begins to achieve singularity with the metaverse) the military would be called on to use armed forces to solve future domestic political and social problems. What they’re really talking about is martial law, packaged as a well-meaning and overriding concern for the nation’s security. The chilling five-minute training video paints an ominous picture of the future bedeviled by “criminal networks,” “substandard infrastructure,” “religious and ethnic tensions,” “impoverishment, slums,” “open landfills, over-burdened sewers,” a “growing mass of unemployed,” and an urban landscape in which the prosperous economic elite must be protected from the impoverishment of the have nots. “We the people” are the have-nots.

The end goal of these mind control campaigns—packaged in the guise of the greater good—is to see how far the American people will allow the government to go in re-shaping the country in the image of a totalitarian police state.

[cyle]

been waiting for Matt Levine to write more about AI, and he doesn't disappoint

"Wells Fargo is using large language models to help determine what information clients must report to regulators and how they can improve their business processes. “It takes away some of the repetitive grunt work and at the same time we are faster on compliance,” said Chintan Mehta, the firm’s chief information officer and head of digital technology and innovation. The bank has also built a chatbot-based customer assistant using Google Cloud’s conversational AI platform, Dialogflow."

Do you think that Wells Fargo’s customer chatbot pushes customers to open more accounts to meet its quotas? Do you think that its regulatory-reporting chatbot then reports it to regulators? Soon Wells Fargo may be able to generate and negotiate billion-dollar regulatory settlements without any human involvement at all. ... Isn’t this sort of exciting? The widespread use of relatively early-stage AI will introduce new ways of making mistakes into finance. Right now there are some classic ways of making mistakes in finance, and they periodically lead to consequences ranging from funny embarrassment through multimillion-dollar trading loss up to systemic financial crises. Many of the most classic mistakes have the broad shape of “overly confident generalizing from limited historical data,” though some are, like, hitting the wrong button. But there are only so many ways to go wrong, and they are all sort of intuitive. ... Now some banker is going to type into a chat bot “our client wants to hedge the risk of the Turkish election,” and the chat bot will be like “she should sell some Dogecoin call options and use the proceeds to buy a lot of nickel futures,” and the banker will be like “weird okay whatever.” And that trade will go wrong in surprising ways, the client will sue, the client and the banker and the chat bot will all come to court, the judge will ask the chat bot “well why would this trade hedge anything,” and the chat bot will shrug its little imaginary shoulders and be like “bro why are you asking me I’m a chat bot.” Or it will say “actually the Dogecoin/nickel spread was ex ante an excellent proxy for Turkish political risk because” and then emit a series of ones and zeros and emojis and high-pitched noises that you and I and the judge can’t understand but that make perfect sense to the chat bot. New ways to be wrong! It will make life more exciting for financial columnists, for a bit, before we are all replaced by the chat bots.

🔥

[beardedmrbean]

Democrats want Vice President Kamala Harris to stop asking her supporters for money after she reportedly raised $1.4bn for her campaign and ended it with $20m in debt.

“I understand that the Harris campaign is in a very difficult position with the debt that they have, and so sometimes you just have to make practical decisions,” Mike Nellis, founder of the Democratic digital firm Authentic, told Politico. “But yeah, I think that stuff like that erodes trust.”

It’s not uncommon for presidential candidates to end their campaigns in debt. Hillary Clinton ended her 2008 campaign with $25m in debt and Barack Obama ended his 2012 campaign with $6.8m. The debts were settled in 2013 and 2018 respectively.

Harris’s campaign is attempting to raise funds for costs associated with ending the presidential bid, like maintaining staff, closing offices and ensuring financial reports are in compliance, the outlet reported.

Some of the emails being sent out by the campaign state: “Even a quick donation of $50 is enough to help us in this fight” and “And with only hours left to hit our goal today, NOW is the best time to rush your support.”

Canceling out campaign debt can come with some challenges due to limits on campaign contributions. It’s been reported that Harris’s campaign spent $551m on digital and TV ads.

The emails to supporters are raising cash for a joint fundraising committee affiliated with her campaign. The money will first go through the DNC, then the campaign’s recount account, and then to state parties, according to Politico. The committee will pay for expenses before the transfers happen.

Democratic watchers worry that Harris could be destroying relationships with donors by asking them to give her money after she raised millions within the first week of her campaign, eventually bringing in more than $1bn.

James Zogby, a DNC member who is vying for the committee’s vice chair position, said that the messages were not a “good look” and that the party’s donation solicitations can have a “begging” tone.

[regulatoryrisks]

Financial Compliance Officer: Navigating Modern Regulatory Challenges

[scotisfr]

Welcome to my new Studyblr challenge !

Hey there! I’m currently a student in a secrétaire-comptable program, starting today, training to become a secretary-accountant. But I need some body doubling to keep myself motivated in the long run, so here's a gentle challenge to ease into my new study, with each day the focus on a small progress/win to gain some dopamine boost. I will use it as a flexible guide while streaming on Twitch most morning and some afternoon.

About My Formation

My course covers key areas to prepare me for an office or accounting role: - Administrative Skills: Learning effective office management, organization, and planning. - Accounting Fundamentals: Getting hands-on with bookkeeping, budgets, and understanding financial transactions. - Business Law & Regulations: Navigating the essentials of tax and legal compliance for businesses. - Communication Skills: Developing professional communication for smooth customer and team interactions.

What to Expect Here

-Daily Study Updates: Reflections on what I’m learning, challenges and small wins along the way. - Study Tips and Organization Hacks: Sharing my best tips for productivity, note-taking and staying organized. - Encouragement & Motivation: Posts that keep me accountable and hopefully inspire you too!

Why I’m Sharing This

I’m using studyblr as a space to document my learning process, connect with others and stay motivated. It will make me reflect on my journey so I can be more mindful about what I need to learn still and what I already know.

Let’s support each other as we work toward our goals!

[mariacallous]

MADISON, Wis. — A bombshell report this morning from Dan Bice of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel revealed that Banco Azteca, a bank reportedly tied to the Mexican cartel flew $26 million of cash across the U.S.-Mexico Border to Eric Hovde’s bank in California.

As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel detailed, Banco Azteca was cut off by several other U.S. banks over “risk and compliance concerns” after reporting linked it to cartel activity. An executive of the bank was recently implicated in a federal indictment detailing his attempts to bribe a member of the U.S. Congress to get U.S. banks to once again do business with the bank. Despite this, Eric Hovde’s bank flew $26 million of cash from Mexico City to Irvine, California as part of a deal with Banco Azteca last December.

This shocking revelation comes as Hovde has refused to disclose which foreign banks and governments his bank has done millions of dollars of business with. What else is Hovde hiding?

Read more below:

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bice: Democrats question Eric Hovde over his bank’s $26M deal with a troubled Mexican bank

By: Dan Bice

Banco Azteca, the 10th largest financial institution in Mexico, has had its share of problems in recent years.

Accused in past news stories of having links to the Mexican drug cartel.

Dropped as a financial partner by some U.S. banks because of “risk and compliance concerns.” 

And now caught up in a Texas bribery scheme with an American congressman.

But Sunwest Bank, the Utah-based financial institution run by Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde, doesn’t mind doing business with it.

In December, Banco Azteca sent $26.2 million in cash to Sunwest on four airplane flights as part of a massive currency conversion called “repatriation,” records show. Hovde, who is running against Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, is chairman and CEO of Sunwest.

Now Democrats are questioning the deal, saying it gives voters a window into how Hovde runs his businesses by putting personal financial stakes above other issues.

Arik Wolk, spokesman of the Democratic Party, said Sunwest’s transactions with Banco Azteca are “extraordinarily concerning,” especially given the alleged past ties between Azteca and the drug cartel. He added, however, that Democrats were not suggesting Hovde or Sunwest had done anything illegal.

“Hovde is willing to do anything to enrich himself, even flying cash across the border for a bank suspected of working for criminal groups that are pouring deadly fentanyl into our state,” Wolk claimed.

As recently as 2021, Banco Azteca had no correspondent banks in the U.S. with which it could transfer U.S. currency.

Over the past decade, several news accounts, including two by Reuters, have drawn links between Banco Azteca and Mexican gangs, which are the leading suppliers of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and other illicit narcotics to the U.S.

In 2023, a Reuters reporter wrote that drug cartels are using remittances – money transfers favored by migrant workers – to send illicit earnings back to Mexico. 

The Reuters reporter said he witnessed five individuals on motorcycles collecting cash from people leaving branch offices of three banks, including Banco Azteca. Locals said these were couriers for the Sinaloa Cartel picking up drug money sent as remittances.

In a 2014 story, Reuters quoted a prominent anti-kidnapping activist saying Mexican gangs involved in kidnapping migrants ask for the money to be sent to Banco Azteca. Also, the Yale Journal of International Affairs reported that Banco Azteca was one of four banks that the Mexican cartel was using to process extortion payments.

A little more than a decade ago, the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency investigated Banco Azteca’s ties with its then-correspondent bank in the U.S., Lone Star National Bank of Pharr, and turned up money-laundering concerns. Repeatedly cited and fined, Lone Star soon ended its relationship with Banco Azteca.

Other financial institutions, including Fifth Third Cincinnati and CBW Bank, soon followed.

According to a May story in the Wall Street Journal, Banco Azteca has struggled doing business with U.S. banks since regulators began enforcing rules cracking down on money laundering from drug trafficking, kidnapping and extortion. Many U.S. banks have cut ties with Banco Azteca because of “risk and compliance concerns.”

For years, that left Banco Azteca holding onto large sums of U.S. currency with no place to offload it.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Christopher F. Rufo

Published: Nov 20, 2024

There is an old saw that, in America, every great cause begins as a movement and eventually degenerates into a racket. This is certainly true of the past decade’s most fashionable cause: “diversity, equity, and inclusion.” What might have begun as a social movement has now become a business—and not just in the United States. According to McKinsey & Company, spending on “DEI-related efforts” across the globe totaled $7.5 billion in 2020. If trends continue, that figure will exceed $15 billion by 2026.

And, in another American tradition, government contractors have turned a profit on this fad. While it’s hard to determine the precise amount of money that Washington spends on DEI, a search for contracts, grants, and other outlays that reference “diversity, equity, and inclusion” and similar terms suggests that DEI principles were attached to more than $1 billion in federal contracts last year.

This represents a rapid change. In 2019, according to our search, the federal government awarded only $27 million in contracts with language related to “diversity and inclusion.” But after the death of George Floyd in 2020, the federal government and private contractors went all-in on DEI, seeking to implement the Biden administration’s “whole-of-government” equity agenda.

In a series of executive orders beginning in January 2021, Biden unveiled that agenda. The White House directed each federal agency to “implement or increase the availability of [DEI] training programs,” create “internal policies and procedures to support” employees “transitioning” to another gender, submit annual DEI plans and reports to a White House steering committee, establish “agency equity teams,” and appoint a “chief diversity officer” to oversee compliance. These directives created a sudden demand for DEI consulting and opened the floodgates of federal funding to private contractors who offered “expert” advice on diversity-program management. Consulting firms were delighted; they set about rationalizing and marketing a respectable front for both the ideology and their own cash grab.

The large consulting firms advertised the adoption of DEI as a moral imperative. They boasted of their spending on diversity to demonstrate their credentials. Deloitte, for example, claimed to have spent $1.47 billion on “diverse suppliers.” McKinsey committed to doubling spending on such suppliers, while investing $20 million in DEI research. Deloitte, meantime, published a report titled The Equity Imperative, which encouraged “businesses [to] take the lead in dismantling” systemic racism—preferably with Deloitte’s “premier cross-enterprise DEI analytics tool.”

These firms argued simultaneously that DEI was morally necessary and good for the bottom line. McKinsey published studies that claimed to have found economic benefits from diversity policies. Incredibly, it claimed that narrowing the “gender gap” would add $12 trillion to GDP. Economists have shown that these studies are misleading and potentially fallacious.

The consultant class cashed in. In early 2022, McKinsey partnered with another firm to present “a series of workshops” that would “equip federal leaders working across government with research-based insights” to improve their “DEIA work” (the added “a” is for “accessibility”). Deloitte, seizing the opportunity presented by Biden’s executive orders mandating DEI in the federal workforce, published a paper on the “Government’s equity imperative,” presenting the firm’s “government equity activation model.”

McKinsey and Deloitte were only two of the many consultancies reaping financial rewards from the executive orders, with firms securing millions of taxpayer dollars in DEI-related contracts.

Agencies across the federal government participated in the gold rush. The Treasury Department awarded $2.8 million to Accenture Federal Services for DEI “implementation.” The Department of Health and Human Services gave a $2.9 million DEI contract to Totem. The Department of Defense agreed to pay Tyler Federal $3.3 million for “(DEI) database services.” The Agency for International Development allocated $6.2 million to SSG Advisors for “DEIA buy-in.”

What do these contracts entail in practice? Consider the $4.4 million agreement between the Department of Labor and CALCO Consulting Group to “deliver diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) training” for the department’s Job Corps program—an initiative to help young people “complete their high school education, train[] them for meaningful careers, and assist[] them with obtaining employment.”

Rather than focus on helping its clients find meaningful work, the Department of Labor contract funneled millions to outside vendors to conform the program to the DEI creed. For example, a team of CALCO DEI consultants went to Montgomery, Alabama, to lead “a 3-day immersive Student-Centered Design training as part of Job Corps’ plan to adopt DEIA principles at all its centers.” The department, in other words, used the firm to engrain critical race theory principles at every level of the program’s operations.

At NASA, the government awarded $2.4 million to LMI Consulting “to incorporate and deeply engrain diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility (DEIA) in” the agency’s “culture and business.” LMI, which has “assisted NASA in transforming its workforce,” happily adapted its product to the new DEI ideology. The agency recognized the firm’s work, giving its “Group Achievement Award” to seven LMI consultants—not for advancing space travel, but for “developing innovative approaches and ways to use lessons learned when implementing [DEI] strategies.”

The Department of Homeland Security is also implementing the White House’s DEI priorities. In September 2023, the department awarded $2.1 million to the Millennium Group International for “(DEIA) professional support services,” a rolling contract that could reach $7.5 million by 2028. That contract is part of the department’s sophisticated diversity apparatus, which includes strategic plans, DEI workshops and seminars, and trainings on “the brain science of inclusion.” Instead of enforcing the law and protecting life and liberty, DHS has focused on “unleashing the power of our shared human spirit” through “inclusive diversity.”

These contracts, and the racialist ideology on which they are predicated, do nothing to serve the national interest. When Donald Trump takes office in January, he should dismantle the diversity apparatus, which threatens his agenda and the principle of equality before the law. DEI is designed to favor ideologues and consultancy grift instead of competent or public-spirited officials. The second Trump administration must put a stop to these contracts immediately, lest they become one more corrupting force in an already deeply compromised federal government.

==

These con artists have perpetrated billions of dollars of fraud on taxpayers. Especially since we now know for certain that, like homeopathy, not only doesn't it work, it makes things worse.

[masllp]

Company Formation in US: A Comprehensive Guide by Mercurius & Associates LLP

Why Start a Business in the US?

The United States is one of the most business-friendly countries in the world, offering entrepreneurs a robust economy, a vast consumer market, and a stable regulatory environment. Whether you're a domestic entrepreneur or an international business owner looking to expand, setting up a company in the US can be a strategic move for long-term success.

Types of Business Entities in the US

Before forming a company, it's essential to choose the right business structure. Here are the most common types:

Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Offers liability protection and tax flexibility, making it a popular choice for small businesses.

Corporation (C-Corp) – Ideal for businesses looking to attract investors and issue stock.

S Corporation (S-Corp) – Provides tax advantages but has ownership restrictions.

Partnership – Suitable for businesses with two or more owners sharing profits and liabilities.

Sole Proprietorship – A simple structure for individual entrepreneurs, though it lacks liability protection.

Steps to Form a Company in the US

Mercurius & Associates LLP provides expert guidance through the entire process of Company formation in US. Here are the key steps:

Choose a Business Structure

Selecting the right entity type is crucial for taxation, liability, and operational flexibility.

Pick a State for Registration

Each state in the US has different laws and tax regulations. Popular choices for company formation include Delaware, Wyoming, and Nevada, known for their business-friendly policies.

Register Your Business Name

Your company name must be unique and comply with state regulations. Conduct a name search through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and state business registries.

Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

An EIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is necessary for tax filing, hiring employees, and opening a business bank account.

File the Necessary Documents

LLC: Submit Articles of Organization to the state.

Corporation: File Articles of Incorporation and appoint a registered agent.

Comply with state-specific requirements, such as operating agreements or bylaws.

Open a US Business Bank Account

Having a US-based business account simplifies financial transactions and tax compliance. Many banks require an EIN and proof of incorporation.

Comply with Legal and Tax Requirements

Register for state and local taxes, such as sales tax and corporate income tax.

Obtain necessary business licenses and permits.

Maintain compliance with annual reporting requirements.

Why Choose Mercurius & Associates LLP?

At Mercurius & Associates LLP, we specialize in providing tailored solutions for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to establish their presence in the US. Our services include:

Business entity selection and registration assistance.

Legal and compliance consulting to ensure smooth operations.

Tax planning and advisory to optimize financial efficiency.

Banking and financial setup to facilitate global transactions.

Start Your US Business Today

Expanding into the US market can be a game-changer for your business. With the expert guidance of Mercurius & Associates LLP, you can navigate the complexities of Company formation in US with ease. Contact us today to begin your entrepreneurial journey in the US.

[attorneyssphuket]

Thai Elite Visa

The Thailand Elite Visa, officially managed by the Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited, is a government-backed program that offers long-term residency options combined with exclusive services and benefits. The program is ideal for high-net-worth individuals, retirees, frequent travelers, and investors who seek an extended stay in Thailand with premium perks. It combines immigration convenience with lifestyle advantages.

1. Key Features and Benefits

Residency Options:

Validity ranges from 5 to 20 years, depending on the package.

Immigration Convenience:

Multi-entry privileges with no re-entry permits required.

Simplified annual reporting instead of standard 90-day reporting.

Airport Services:

VIP fast-track immigration lanes and personal assistance at Thailand’s international airports.

Lifestyle Privileges:

Access to exclusive golf courses, spa facilities, and medical check-ups.

Family Benefits:

Certain packages allow inclusion of family members, making it a suitable option for families seeking long-term stays.

2. Available Packages

2.1 Elite Easy Access

Duration: 5 years.

Cost: 600,000 THB.

Target Group: Frequent visitors or individuals exploring medium-term residency options.

2.2 Elite Family Excursion

Duration: 5 years (two family members).

Cost: 800,000 THB; additional family members pay 300,000 THB each.

Ideal For: Families planning extended stays.

2.3 Elite Privilege Access

Duration: 10 years.

Cost: 1 million THB; additional family members pay 800,000 THB each.

Suitable For: Long-term residency seekers who value premium services.

2.4 Elite Superiority Extension

Duration: 20 years.

Cost: 1 million THB.

Focus: Affordable extended residency without frequent renewals.

2.5 Elite Ultimate Privilege

Duration: 20 years.

Cost: 2.14 million THB.

Exclusive Features: Personalized concierge services, increased perks, and premium medical benefits.

3. Application Process

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to individuals of all nationalities.

Applicants must have no criminal record and meet financial capability requirements.

Steps to Apply:

Submit the application online with necessary documents (passport copies, photographs, and personal details).

Pay the program fee upon approval.

Collect the visa from a Thai consulate, embassy, or immigration office.

Processing Timeline:

Typically, applications are processed within 1–2 months.

4. Limitations

Work Restrictions:

While the visa permits long-term stays, holders require a separate work permit to engage in employment.

No Path to Citizenship:

The visa does not provide a direct route to Thai citizenship or permanent residency.

High Initial Costs:

The upfront membership fees may be prohibitive for some applicants.

5. Tax Implications

Tax Residency:

Holding an Elite Visa does not automatically confer tax residency. To qualify, individuals must spend at least 180 days annually in Thailand.

Tax Obligations:

Income earned within Thailand is subject to taxation under Thai law. International income may also be taxable if remitted to Thailand.

6. Benefits to Thailand’s Economy

Attracting Affluent Individuals:

Encourages long-term investment and spending in Thailand.

Boost to Tourism and Services:

Visa holders contribute significantly to the luxury tourism, healthcare, and real estate sectors.

Strategic Positioning:

Reinforces Thailand’s image as a premier destination for expatriates and high-net-worth individuals.

Conclusion

The Thailand Elite Visa is a unique program that combines long-term residency with exclusive lifestyle benefits, making it an attractive choice for retirees, investors, and frequent travelers. While the program is financially demanding, its benefits—such as seamless immigration procedures, access to premium services, and long-term flexibility—make it a compelling option for those seeking stability in Thailand. Engaging experienced professionals for the application process ensures compliance with all requirements and maximizes the program's advantages.