Tag: SEC

SEC Climate Change disclosure rules

SEC Releases Scaled-Back Final Rules on Climate Disclosures

The Securities and Exchange Commission voted to finalize its rules on climate-change disclosures titled,  “The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors.” In an about face that the SEC began signaling last month, the Commission cut key provisions from the proposal, including a requirement to disclose Scope 3 emissions, Read More

Securities and Exchange Whistleblower program

SEC Pays Record Whistleblower Award of $279 Million

The Securities and Exchange Commission has issued its largest-ever award, a staggering $279 million, to a whistleblower whose information and assistance led to the successful enforcement of SEC and related actions, the regulatory agency said Friday in a statement. This is the highest award in the SEC’s whistleblower program’s history, Read More

New SEC Commissioners

Two New SEC Commissioners Confirmed by Senate

In a unanimous vote, the Senate confirmed Democrat Jaime Lizárraga and Republican Mark Uyeda this week to serve as the Securities and Exchange Commission’s newest Commissioners. President Joe Biden  nominated the two as Commissioners in April. Lizárraga served most recently as a senior advisor to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, (D-Calif.). Uyeda is Read More

SEC to change compliance definitions for SOX 404

Chief Compliance Officer Charged with Securities Law Violations

Registered investment adviser A.G. Morgan Financial Advisors (AGM), its owner, and its former chief compliance officer each face charges by the Securities and Exchange Commission for violations of federal securities laws, the agency announced this week. According to the SEC’s complaint, AGM, owner Vincent Camarda, and AGM’s former Chief Compliance Read More

CohnReznick Logo

SEC Fines CohnReznick, Three Partners for Audit Failures

The Securities and Exchange Commission charged audit firm CohnReznick LLP with improper professional conduct on audit engagements for two clients in 2017 and hit the firm with a $1.9 million penalty to settle the charges. The agency also charged three of the firm’s partners with improper conduct related to the Read More

Securities and Exchange Whistleblower program

SEC Proposes Two Rule Changes to Its Whistleblower Program

The Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed two amendments to the rules governing its whistleblower program. The first proposed amendment concerns award claims for related actions that would be otherwise covered by an alternative whistleblower program. The second affirms the Commission’s authority to consider the dollar amount of a potential Read More

McKinsey Unit to Pay $18 Million to Settle Charges of Compliance Failures

The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged an affiliate of McKinsey & Co. with compliance failures including the misuse of material nonpublic information. The affiliate, MIO Partners, which offers investment options exclusively to current and former McKinsey partners and employees has agreed to pay an $18 million penalty to settle Read More

PCAOB

SEC Recasts Leadership at Audit Watchdog After Turbulence

The Securities and Exchange Commission continues to revamp the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in the wake of a series of scandals, naming a new chairperson and three new board members. Earlier this week, the SEC named Erica Williams to serve as chair of the PCAOB, which oversees the audits Read More

Nasdaq Stock Exchange

SEC Approves Nasdaq Plan to Increase Board Diversity of Listed Companies

The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved Nasdaq’s proposal to increase diversity in boardrooms of companies listed on the exchange. Under the new guidelines, most listed companies would be required to have one or more female director, as well as a director from an “underrepresented” minority group, namely anyone who Read More