Compliance Consulting

Mar 14

Compliance as the missing piece to strategic planning

Branch Out to Reach Your Highest Potential^SM

Each organization is unique; however, there are some basic mechanics of a corporate structure. A comprehensive compliance framework is a necessary pillar of structural support along with a positive culture, consistent ethics, and visionary leadership.

As a SHRM-CP and Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional, Dr. Devonish applies over 25 years of professional experience working in companies with 500+ employees in the U.S. and overseas to serve her clients. Compliance is the responsibility of each employee and ongoing evaluation, improvement, and communication of policies and procedures aids in educating the workforce so that employees understand the purpose of policies and procedures, which decreases the likelihood of non-adherence and incidents that expose the organization to risk.

Compliance Program Evaluations

A Compliance Program Evaluation is a practical mechanism to assess internal controls prior to a regulatory examination, receive guidance on appropriate staffing of a compliance department, and incorporate ethics and compliance as part of an ongoing process that is linked to a strategic plan. This service is available to organizations that are concerned with maintaining brand reputation, retaining profits, and developing a positive workplace environment that values people and compliance. The evaluation process is structured according to applicable industry standards and the advice in the U.S. Department of Justice’s 2023 updated guidance on the Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs.

Compliance Risk Assessments

There are various instances when a Compliance Risk Assessment is required. For example, a Compliance Risk Assessment is timely as part of due diligence prior to contracting with a new vendor, during or post-acquisition of a business or team, to monitor emerging or high-risk areas, or when there are internal issues that might indicate weaknesses in internal controls or cultural issues, such as a high rate of employee turnover or rising incidences of potential compliance violations. This service allows an external expert to deliver unbiased feedback with the objective of improving internal controls to detect, prevent, and correct potential infractions to minimize risks across the organization.

Policy Creation and Governance

Policy Creation and Governance offerings include analysis, editing, and revision of Compliance policies and procedures. Typically, policies are codified in a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct or an Employee Handbook. These policies as well as stand-alone policies that are part of your ethics and compliance program can be reviewed within a quick turnaround time.

The Compliance CONSULTING Experience

A compliance review that defines the current state of the ethics and compliance program of the organization determines what consulting service to select as outlined below.

Defining the Current State: The initial stage of the engagement begins with a review of an organization's current state, which assesses various key performance indicators (KPIs), risk factors, previous compliance assessments, and the reason that management desires to engage with an external compliance expert. Through the interaction with key stakeholders, analysis of available data, and prioritization of challenges, the organization chooses either a broad compliance program evaluation, a targeted compliance risk assessment, or topics that necessitate policy creation and governance.
The Consulting Process: The consulting process is a collaborative engagement that often involves the cooperation of key leaders in Compliance, Legal, Human Resources, Risk Management, Operations, and Finance. Depending on the organization’s objectives, dialogue with members of the C-suite or Board of Directors may be necessary. Per the client’s choice, at the end of the engagement a Compliance Report may be delivered as a document with key findings and recommendations as well as a presentation to key stakeholders.

Outcome and Commitment

Dr. Devonish is committed to adhering to the highest standards of business ethics, maintaining confidentiality, and delivering services that meet client expectations.

Ready For A Compliance REVIEW?

If you're seeking to ensure that your organization meets ethics and compliance requirements, then Dr. Devonish is the expert who can assist your team. Contact Dr. Devonish to schedule a free 20-minute consultation to discuss your goals and how she can help you achieve them.

Dr. Emme Devonish

Emme Devonish is Principal and Executive Consultant at Creative Compliance Communication Services, LLC. She provides strategic advice, executive coaching, corporate governance guidance, compliance risk assessments and program evaluations, and leadership training on ethics and organizational culture to organizations across multiple sectors. Her work focuses on delivering tailored services that respond to client specifications, emerging industry trends, and regulatory requirements.

Dr. Devonish is a Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional and a SHRM Certified Professional. She maintains a license to practice law in the State of New York and retired from the Bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2012. She began her career as an Attorney-Adviser at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Later she worked as a Director in the Compliance Department at The Prudential Insurance Company of America and then as a Vice President at Nomura IBJ Global Investment Advisors before joining the Corporate Department at Kelley Drye & Warren as a Senior Associate.

Her knowledge of securities law and regulatory compliance best practices led her to several high-level project-based roles, including as International Legal Counsel at Crédit Lyonnais Asset Management and as Finance Counsel at the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations in Paris, France. Upon her return to the United States, she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at Transamerica Investment Management in Los Angeles, and thereafter formed her consulting practice, Creative Compliance Communication Services, LLC.

Dr. Devonish is certified in Distance Education and has taught online, hybrid, and face-to-face courses in Law, Communication, English, Literature, Writing, and Film at various universities across the United States and abroad. She holds PhD in Film Studies from The University of Sydney, an MFA in Creative Writing from Carlow University, a JD/MA in Law and International Affairs from The American University, and a BA in French and International Relations from Syracuse University.

http://www.emmedevonish.com