A recent study by McGladrey LLP and the Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation (IIARF) entitled Global Corruption Law Compliance Report uncovered both good and bad news. The researchers surveyed 120 C-suite leaders in middle market companies and found that while things are improving, there is still significant work to be done in the area of global anti-corruption compliance.

The following six key themes emerged from the study:

1. Middle market companies, particularly smaller ones, say they have more work to do to respond to global corruption risks.
2. Executives say the level of monitoring and self-policing activity taking place today is higher than three years ago.
3. Executives rank non-financial obstacles above financial ones as a challenge in addressing global corruption risk.
4. Third-party due diligence and monitoring and M&A activity continue to be major sources of global corruption risk.
5. Regular training remains an area of opportunity for companies seeking to improve their corruption law compliance.
6. New whistleblower provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act increase the stakes and regulatory risks for FCPA compliance.

The following infographic illustrates some of the salient points.