This course has been tailored to provide attendees with a best practice approach in implementing a sound corporate governance framework, in line with the regulator’s expectations. The MFSA’s launch of the Corporate Governance Code in 2022 has established a set of principles which are to be applied by authorized persons on a ‘best effort basis’. The Corporate Governance Code is applicable across sectors, to all unlisted entities authorised by the MFSA.
The Data Protection Officer (DPO) is a previously existing role that has been rendered mandatory in certain instances by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). DPOs are responsible for overseeing data protection strategy and implementation to ensure compliance with GDPR requirements. Now that the GDPR is in force, it is important that organisations are compliant with the many regulations and operational requirements provided by the GDPR. This course is designed to help DPOs fully understand their role, assisting them in setting up of the right processes and procedures as well as control measures and helping DPOs determine whether the appointment of a DPO is mandatory for their organisation. In view of this and the significant possible consequences of noncompliance, it is recommended that DPOs attend this course.
In the first hour, participants will receive an introduction to how blockchain technologies work. The different types of tokens will presented in detail, with particular focus on utility tokens. These are blockchain-based assets that offer added value and can also automate processes and secure data with the help of smart contracts. In the lecture, case studies will be presented showing the enormous potential of this technology. The course will also highlight the risks and how red flags can be recognized as well as the opportunities and risks in respect of data security.
The course aims at providing participants with the fundamentals of income tax regulations in order to enable them to understand the process of arriving at the chargeable income for tax purposes. It will look into allowable and disallowable deductions, reporting obligations as well as an overview of the refund mechanism for companies. It will also address VAT which is bound to affect us at some point in our business lives; what may seem as straightforward often hides unexpected complications. The session will seek to address the basic concepts that underpin the application of Value Added Tax in a day to day context. It will delve into various aspects of VAT which include the place of supply rules and the application of the reverse charge mechanism; recovery of input VAT and partial attribution as well as other practical aspects including invoicing, reporting obligations and applying for VAT refunds.
The FIAU and the MFSA can and are given authority by law to perform inspections on subject persons and licensed entities. This course is aimed at Designated Non-Financial Business Providers and Corporate Service Providers and will give insight on the different supervisory engagements carried out.
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.
Participants will learn the basic investing concepts, the many different variations of traditional investments available and which type of investments are most suitable for their needs. The course will delve into the history of the capital markets, their role in the economy, the different types of markets, and the activities of exchanges. Participants will also learn about the difference between bonds and equities, what they are, their special characteristics and terminology, how they are priced and the risks of owning such investments. Students will also learn about various investment styles such as value, growth, and fund investing. Students will be taught how to and why they should take a critical look at all investing options based on sound risk/reward assumptions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.