Building A State- of-the-Art Anti-Bribery Program

Anti-bribery laws have serious consequences for ordinary companies doing business internationally. Violations come to light during routine M&amp;A due diligence, when competitors complain or employees blow the whistle, or when companies voluntarily disclose as a part of their Sarbanes-Oxley reporting obligations. When they do come to light, strong internal controls may shield executives from some liability and restore confidence amongst shareholders and regulators. <br>To mitigate the risk arising out of events like these, every company operating internationally should have a compliance program. The critical elements of a robust program are clear. With the right combination of leadership, training, and follow-up, companies can increase their chances of preventing or catching employees determined to break the law. An effective anti-bribery program need not be expensive or labor-intensive, but it does require management commitment, a systematic roll-out, widespread training, and diligent follow-up.