The document summarizes the key findings of Accenture's 2016 Compliance Risk Study. Compliance organizations face growing demands and complexity as they are expected to take on more strategic advisory roles. However, Compliance also struggles with the weight of managing day-to-day operations and complex risks. Most respondents agree that Compliance will need to optimize operations to manage increasing complexity with tighter resources. Cyber risk is also among the top challenges for Compliance over the next year.

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Compliance at a Crossroads:
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back?
Accenture’s 2016 Compliance Risk Study
Demand on Compliance continues to grow in scale and complexity.
Decisions to be Taken, Choices to be Made
Results from Accenture’s 2016 Compliance Study indicate Compliance is at a key
inflection point in its development. Having gained a “seat at the table” after the
global financial crisis,1
Compliance organizations have been given a mandate for
disruption, to develop more forward-looking capabilities and be an “ethical
monitor” for its institutions.2
Today, Compliance finds itself wanting to step into the role of strategic advisor
but seemingly constrained by the weight of day-to-day operations managing an
ever more complex ecosystem.
of respondents agree that a stronger
Compliance role in front line processes
will create a risk for its independence
For more information, please visit: www.accenture.com/RegulatoryCompliance
The growth in Compliance stature appears to be slowing
as it re-defines its remit and balances advisory and
control responsibilities.
As more Compliance organizations strengthen their
operations, meaningful results should continue to be
delivered against more complex stakeholder
expectations and within a clearly defined mandate.
63%
1
Compliance's Seat at the Table: Hard to Earn, Hard to Retain - Accenture 2014 Compliance Risk Study
2
Be the Disruptor, not the Disrupted: Accenture 2015 Compliance Risk Study
of respondents list cyber risk among
the top three challenges for
Compliance over the next 12 months50%
of respondents agree that Compliance
will optimize operations in order to
manage a more complex set of risks
under tighter resourcing conditions
81%
of respondents agree that senior data
officers will emerge as a critical
organizational link for Compliance87%