Why U.S. Corporate Transparency Act Compliance Should be a Top Priority for Executive Leadership‍

The United States Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) was signed into law in January 2021, requiring certain corporations to report their beneficial ownership information to the U.S. Department of Treasury. This information includes the names, dates of birth, addresses, and identification numbers of the individuals who own or control the corporation, commonly referred to as Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs). The CTA is aimed at improving corporate transparency and combating money laundering, terrorism financing, and other illicit activities.

The CTA places significant compliance obligations on covered entities, and failure to comply can result in significant penalties and reputational damage. Therefore, it is crucial that executive leadership prioritize CTA compliance and take steps to ensure that their organizations are fully prepared to comply with the new regulations.

Entity Management Software and Corporate Transparency Software

One of the first steps that companies can take to ensure CTA compliance is to implement entity management software. Entity management software provides a centralized platform for managing corporate governance and compliance, including UBO regulations. By automating compliance processes and providing real-time updates on changes in UBO regulations, entity management software can help companies to stay ahead of the curve and mitigate the risk of non-compliance.

In addition to entity management software, companies should also consider investing in corporate transparency software. Corporate transparency software can help companies to identify and verify the UBOs of their organization, as well as monitor changes in UBO ownership and control. This can help to ensure that companies are accurately reporting their beneficial ownership information and complying with the CTA.

Ensuring a Culture of Compliance 

However, simply implementing entity management and corporate transparency software is not enough. Executive leadership must also ensure that their organization has a culture of compliance, with robust policies and procedures in place to manage their compliance obligations.

 This includes: 

• Regular training for employees on UBO regulations and other compliance obligations.
• Ongoing monitoring and auditing of compliance processes.

Why Should Executive Leadership Prioritize CTA Compliance?

1. Failure to comply with the CTA can result in significant penalties and reputational damage. The CTA imposes civil penalties of up to $500 per day for each day that a company fails to comply with the reporting requirements. Furthermore, failure to comply with UBO regulations can damage a company’s reputation and erode stakeholder trust, potentially leading to a loss of business.
2. CTA compliance is not just a legal obligation, but also a business imperative. The CTA is aimed at improving corporate transparency and combating illicit activities such as money laundering and terrorism financing. By complying with the CTA, companies can demonstrate a commitment to ethical business practices and a willingness to take a proactive approach to combating financial crime. This can help to enhance their reputation, attract investors, and improve their bottom line.
3. CTA compliance is likely to become a global standard in the near future. The European Union, for example, is in the process of implementing its own beneficial ownership register, the Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive. This directive requires all EU member states to establish a centralized beneficial ownership register, similar to the CTA. Therefore, companies that prioritize CTA compliance now are likely to be better prepared for future regulatory changes and developments.

CTA compliance should be a top priority for executive leadership. Failure to comply with the CTA can result in significant penalties and reputational damage, while compliance can help to enhance a company’s reputation, attract investors, and improve their bottom line.

Find Success With Athennian

 By implementing entity management and corporate transparency software, as well as fostering a culture of compliance, companies can ensure that they are fully prepared to comply with the CTA and other regulatory requirements. Here at Athennian we offer a variety of products to help you reach your compliance goals, contact us today for a custom consultation.