Audit, Compliance and Risk Blog

Viola Funk

Recent Posts

Electronic Logging Device Rule Draws Skepticism, Praise

Posted by Viola Funk on Mon, Mar 24, 2014

We’re still a long way from the paperless office, but the paperless cab may be upon us. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently adopted a new rule that requires drivers of interstate commercial buses and trucks to record their hours using electronic logging devices (ELDs). According to the administration, widespread use of these devices, also known as electronic onboard recorders, will reduce hours-of-service violations by hampering efforts to misrepresent time put in on the job—and that reduction will result in fewer crashes and fatalities.

Read More

Tags: Corporate Governance, Business & Legal, Employer Best Practices, Health & Safety, Employee Rights, Training, EHS, Transportation

EPA Programs Showing Solid Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Posted by Viola Funk on Mon, Mar 03, 2014

In December we saw in this space that a US Environmental Protection Agency inventory showed solid reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in recent years. Now EPA has issued its annual Climate Protection Partnerships report, which contains more good news on the emissions front.

Read More

Tags: Audit Standards, Health & Safety, EPA, Greenhouse Gas, ghg, Oil & Gas, climate change

OSHA: Making Hospitals Less Hazardous for Workers

Posted by Viola Funk on Mon, Feb 17, 2014

When you think of dangerous industries to work in, which ones come to mind? Construction, mining, longshoring, maybe even letter carrying, are obvious, but did healthcare make the list?

Read More

Tags: Employer Best Practices, Health & Safety, OSHA, Employee Rights, Training, EHS, Workplace violence

Insurance Law: Public Adjusters: Proceed with Caution

Posted by Viola Funk on Tue, Feb 11, 2014

When filing insurance claims for cases involving extensive damage, consumers sometimes choose to hire a public adjuster (PA) to help them submit the claim to their insurer. The PA handles every detail of the claim, working closely with the policyholder and the insurer to obtain a prompt and reasonable settlement.

Read More

Tags: Corporate Governance, Business & Legal, Insurance, Insurance Claims

Hazardous Substances: New Form Offers Way Out Of Prop. 65 Prosecution

Posted by Viola Funk on Wed, Jan 22, 2014

A recent change to rules around Proposition 65 lawsuits will make it easier for some businesses to avoid being prosecuted for infringement of the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act. The alteration covers cases in which individuals allege inadequate warning signage regarding the release of substances known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. Such suits have proliferated under the legislation, embroiling business owners in costly legal battles.

Read More

Tags: Corporate Governance, Business & Legal, Health & Safety, Environmental risks, Environmental, Hazcom

OSHA Acts to Reduce Risks for Communication Tower Workers

Posted by Viola Funk on Mon, Jan 13, 2014

In response to what it describes as “an alarming increase” in worksite injuries and fatalities related to communication tower activities, the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a memorandum for regional administrators. Intensified upgrades to cellular infrastructure (to cite an example from a few years ago, preparation to introduce 3G service) are likely contributing to the toll: 14 incidents in just a few months of 2013, a total greater than that of the previous two years combined.

Read More

Tags: Employer Best Practices, Health & Safety, OSHA, Employee Rights, California Legislation, Training

Environmental Compliance: EPA Tracks Reductions in GHG Emissions

Posted by Viola Funk on Fri, Dec 06, 2013

Do you ever wonder whether auditing of greenhouse gas emissions is working? It may be a bit early in the game to say for sure, given that GHG emission tracking standards are a recent phenomenon. But an annual report compiled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may be a good gauge of trends in emission reductions, judging by its latest installment.

Read More

Tags: Corporate Governance, Business & Legal, Health & Safety, Environmental risks, Environmental, EHS, EPA, Greenhouse Gas, ghg

Derivatives and Hedging: Good News for Dealers and Brokers From FASB

Posted by Viola Funk on Wed, Nov 27, 2013

Dealers and brokers seeking hedging exposures to the Overnight Index Swap rate (OIS) are in luck. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) recently issued final guidance that allows dealer-brokers to designate the US OIS, the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate, as a benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes.

Read More

Tags: Business & Legal, SEC, Accounting & Tax, Accountants, US GAAP, GAAP

Understanding Insurance Law & Mold: Winning Damages for Loss & Injury

Posted by Viola Funk on Tue, Nov 12, 2013

A recent case in British Columbia’s Supreme Court illustrates the difficulty of winning damages for loss and injury attributed to mold.

Read More

Tags: Business & Legal, Environmental, Insurance, Insurance Claims, mold

Knight Capital Pays $12 Million for SEC Violations

Posted by Viola Funk on Thu, Oct 31, 2013

In the wake of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation, Knight Capital Americas LLC has agreed to pay a $12 million penalty for violating the SEC’s market access rule. On August 1, 2012, Knight Capital’s automated equity router incorrectly sent 4 million orders into the market in the first 45 minutes of trading while attempting to fill a mere 212 customer orders. Stock prices of nearly 150 companies listed on the NYSE were severely disrupted, and Knight Capital’s stock price collapsed. SEC sleuthing revealed that the glitch was the result of deploying new code in an old, compromised router.

Read More

Tags: Corporate Governance, Business & Legal, SEC