Reassessing the priorities for the future
With increased regulatory changes and the ‘new normal’ brought forth by COVID-19, Corporate Compliance is all set to become a little more challenging than it used to be earlier. One major trend to watch out in 2021 will be the substantial increase in digital transformation in terms of automation and simplification of compliance-related processes. Technology in compliance management can immensely aid in keeping organizations compliant. In and after 2021, businesses will need to adopt a holistic approach by aligning the compliance strategy into the overall business strategy, feels Nagaraj Krishnan.
Working on anticipating change
Every year, new laws and policy changes are adding to the complications in compliance operations across industries in India. Steering through the ever-changing regulatory scenario has been a perennial challenge for Corporates across sectors. To gain and sustain a competitive advantage, progressive approaches to compliance management are imperative.
Organisations these days have to deal with a wide range of issues that hinder the efficacy of compliance practices. Some of the most pressing issues faced are the following:
Manual and time-consuming compliance processes
Inability to keep pace with regulatory changes
Ad hoc approach to governance and risk management
Raising concentration on transformation initiatives
Corporates need to have a deep understanding of why it’s important to stay up to date on compliances. Putting technology into the compliance management process can help organisations manage and comply with constant regulation shifts proactively. Going forward, companies will necessarily need to adopt path-breaking governance and compliance methods. Such methods will not only enhance operational efficiency but also facilitate decision-making.
Co-creating scenarios for the future
Internal and external audits are essential to ensure full compliance with the governing laws and regulations. However, the usual audit process with the auditor(s) being physically present poses a risk in terms of health and safety, as we are still not completely out of the COVID-19 shadow. Also, there are still partial travel restrictions in many parts of the country. In such a scenario, technology will play a major role in making remote audits possible. Remote audits are all set to become a regular trend in the post-COVID era due to their flexibility, effectiveness, cost and time advantages.
The e-compliance architecture needs to be designed to provide complete visibility and a bird’s eye view of the compliance status across the country, state and unit levels. It is equally important for experts to provide round the clock support in updating country-wise Industry-specific laws and auto-configuring the software with an appropriate domain covering laws under Labour, Fiscal, Corporate, Commercial, EHS and industry-specific catering to large global organisations, medium and small firms.
(The author is Managing Director at Aparajitha Corporate Services Private Limited)
