Shareholders of private companies often may encounter difficulty when it comes to establishing a value of their business. This course will address the concept of valuations, through company and goodwill analysis, financial modelling and valuation based on net asset values, all of which may come up with different results! This is an interesting and thought provoking course for 'non accountant' shareholders who are interested to learn more about company financial analysis with special focus on how to value a company.
Complying with the AML/CFT framework is an increasingly important regulatory requirement for all subject persons. This course, two-part session will outline the applicable Maltese AML/CFT laws and regulations, provide in-depth coverage of key ML/TF obligations of subject persons and discuss the effective implementation of risk-based policies, procedures, controls and measures. Following this course, participants should have a much better understanding of the key concepts of ML/TF, typologies, trends, safeguards and measures.
This course will provide a high-level overview of the Market Abuse Regulation and will serve as an introduction for anyone unfamiliar with the Regulation. The course will include an overview of the three offences of insider dealing, unlawful disclosure of inside information, and market manipulation, the various obligations imposed on market participants by the Regulation, as well as central key themes such as inside information. Participants will also be given a general understanding of the MFSA’s oversight function in respect of market abuse and applicable sanctions. Practical examples will be provided throughout the course to better illustrate the issues being discussed.
This accredited Programme provides an introduction to the comprehensive treatment of governance and regulation governing compliance requirements such as Prevention of Money Laundering, the Solvency II Directive, the Insurance Distribution Directive, GDPR etc. It will also delve into other broader governance and risk initiatives that have been promulgated by regulation and that are currently under the regulatory spotlight. These include, conduct risk management, the role of gatekeepers and the lines of defense. The subject will be tackled both from both a practical and theoretical perspective. The aim of this course is to familiarize students with the governance, regulations and compliance needs of insurance undertakings as well as other financials services sectors as dictated by regulation. The main objectives of this course are to provide students with an appreciation of the relationship between good corporate governance, compliance and risk management, an understanding of the importance of the compliance function, and knowledge of the operation of reliable and effective internal controls to manage and minimise the risk of material compliance failures. More broadly, the aim of this course is to provide students with an appreciation of the evolving regulatory tools and approaches, including the shift from a rulesbased to a principles-based approach as well as the more intrusive mindset that is seeping through the regulators’ supervisory and enforcement agendas. This course is accredited by the University of Malta to be of MQF Level 5, with 4 ECTS credits. The successful completion of the course will result in a recognised Award issued by the Malta Stock Exchange Institute and the University of Malta.
The intent of this course is to help professionals better understand the link between risk and crisis management. The mantra of no risk, no reward still holds true, yet decision makers need to be fully aware and prepared for the various foreseen and unforeseen risks that can lead to crisis scenarios.This course is highly recommended to individuals that are new to the world of risk management and professionals that would like to better understand crisis management and recovery scenarios.
The Compliance Officer is the regulator’s invisible arm in that it ensures that the institution’s business is being conducted in line with regulations, internal policies and procedures. Checks are carried out primarily through compliance monitoring programmes; be they on-site or desk based reviews. The fulcrum of the findings prompted by the reviews is to bring these to the attention of senior management. Senior management is ultimately responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the compliance function and in ensuring that the business is carried out in line with regulatory requirements.
The Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) Administrative penalties issue several administrative measures related to contraventions on AML/CFT shortcomings. The aim of this course is to highlight the main findings stemming from the administrative measures enforced on subject persons who contravened their AML/CFT obligations emanating from the Prevention of Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism Regulations (PMLFTR) and the FIAU Implementing Procedures issued thereunder, taking also into account the FIAU enforcement factsheet published in May 2021.
Participants will be introduced to the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). The European Commission (EC) prioritised making Europe fit for the digital age by building a future-ready economy. The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) supports a new digital finance strategy to ensure that the EU embraces the digital revolution and drives it with innovative European firms in the lead. The regulation covers a range of financial institutions that are regulated at the EU level to ensure consistency among the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) risk-management requirements that are applicable to the financial sector. This course will explain the objectives of DORA and cover the key obligations under this new directive.
This interactive course will help attendees to understand what anxiety is and will outline some simple yet very effective ways of managing anxiety. The attendees will also learn about the various causes of anxiety, the cycle of anxiety and the difference between anxiety and stress. There will be an in depth discussion on how to find ways of breaking the cycle, with a spotlight on mindfulness, and challenging unhelpful thoughts. This very useful course is ideal for persons who are trying to cope with the current pandemic circumstances and will help them to cope with the current environment as well as with life’s stressful everyday circumstances.
This course, which will be spread over two sessions, is intended to educate and train professionals within Corporate Service Providers on the role of a risk manager and the main requirements of a risk management function emanating from the MFSA’s CSP Rulebook. The course will look into the practical implementation of the function, highlighting the main areas of risk which should be assessed.
The intent of this course is to help professionals better understand the link between risk and crisis management. The mantra of no risk, no reward still holds true, yet decision makers need to be fully aware and prepared for the various foreseen and unforeseen risks that can lead to crisis scenarios.This course is highly recommended to individuals that are new to the world of risk management and professionals that would like to better understand crisis management and recovery scenarios.
The aim of this course is to give a brief overview of the different types of Collective Investment Schemes and to provide more information with regards to the tasks and responsibilities of the Fund Administrator. It will also give more insight on the different roles within the Fund Administration business. An explanation on how to calculate an NAV and on how to price different types of Instruments will be provided. After this course you will be able to understand the basic principles of Fund Accounting and Administration.
This course is designed to familiarise attendees with the practical and real life circumstances of implementing a robust due diligence process. The Customer due diligence process (CDD) involves much more than carrying our research using the passport or other customer data available using one of the various monitoring systems and a ‘Google’ search. There are clear responsibilities that are related to AML/CFT, and this course will give a practical and hands-on approach on how to carry out the various CDD checks, how to deal with practical issues that are encountered on a day-today basis, and provide a practical insight to help subject persons, including compliance officers, compliance teams and MLROs, carry out their duties.
The real estate sector is going through a time of change, having penetrated the larger capital markets and is now much more affected by national and global economic trends. Besides looking into the basic principles and theory of valuation and gaining knowledge on the fundamentals of valuation practice, this course: • will look into developments and trends affecting the nature of and the need for valuation services in Malta in the short to medium term; • aims to stimulate debate amongst valuers and clients/ users of valuations over what action is needed to ensure the provision of quality valuation services that the modern economy requires; and • will enable you to assess the property market and be in a position to recognise which situations require which types of valuation, choose and apply the right methodology and create the valuation report in line with best practice and international standards.
This course aims at providing attendees with the necessary tools and techniques aimed at identifying money laundering machinations and in combating the funding of terrorism. The course has been developed in an engaging and comprehensive format in order to provide attendees with the appropriate training to meet the regulatory requirements of subject persons whilst providing a practitioner’s insight. The course shall focus both on the applicable legislative framework as well as on practical case studies.
The Compliance Officer is the regulator’s invisible arm in that it ensures that the institution’s business is being conducted in line with regulations, internal policies and procedures. Checks are carried out primarily through compliance monitoring programmes; be they on-site or desk based reviews. The fulcrum of the findings prompted by the reviews is to bring these to the attention of senior management. Senior management is ultimately responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the compliance function and in ensuring that the business is carried out in line with regulatory requirements.
The aim of this course is to provide participants with an overview of the fundamental precepts of Maltese company law. Following an analysis of the distinction between the various types of corporate vehicles available in terms of Maltese law, the course will focus on private and public limited liability company, from creation to dissolution. Fundamental doctrines such as separate legal personality, limited liability, and the lifting or piercing of the corporate veil will be analysed. The various types of share capital, the increase, reduction and transfer of share capital, and the doctrine of capital maintenance will also be discussed. This is followed by an analysis of the regulatory and practical implications of the governance of companies, in the context of a global trend towards more regulation and the need of companies to adhere to strict ethical and legal business practices so as not to jeopardize their corporate brand and business in general. Particular focus will be laid on the duties and responsibilities of directors and, specifically in respect of listed companies, the need to instil a governance culture aligned with the Code of Principles of Good Corporate Governance set out in the Listing Rules. In the final part of the course the substantive and procedural aspects of dissolution, winding up and insolvency, as well as the procedures of company rescue and corporate recovery will be examined.
Non-financial considerations will be explored and thereby the legal, regulatory and tax aspects of the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) process will be discussed. The session will then also delve into the financial and accounting aspects. Attendees will be able to explore the different steps involved and the thought process underlying the whole transaction, an overview of the valuation of the target company, and calculation of goodwill post transaction. Practical scenarios will be shared with attendees, identifying examples where changes to the systematic approach adopted would need to be introduced in view of the particular attributes of the target company. Following the session, attendees will be able to better understand the M&A process and the various implications to be considered.
Whistleblowing
is one of the largest forms of detection of occupational, fraud, bribery and
corruption and one of the best methods for the prevention of commercial crime.
Yet, there are still individuals who, due to fear of retaliation, do not report
any wrongdoings as there is a perception that these whistleblowers are not
afforded enough protection.
The course will examine the key VAT considerations which are relevant for businesses operating in the financial services sector, specifically banks and financial institutions and investment services providers. Most, but not all, services supplied by operators in the financial services sector are exempt from VAT. This requires analysis of definitions and scope of the exemption, and understanding the treatment of outsourced services as well as mixed transactions. In the absence of legislative definitions, these have evolved through case-law of the CJEU, as well as domestic practice and guidelines. As a result of the broad scope of the exemptions, VAT is, to varying degrees, a cost to operators in the sector, with the restrictions on input tax recovery potentially resulting in a competitive disadvantage, in particular for those operating on a cross-border basis.
Information on the planned 2023 courses will be available shortly.
