Finance and legal professionals, what's one piece of legislation or regulation that has recently impacted your financial analysis work, and how have you adapted to it?

Question

In the ever-evolving landscape of finance and law, professionals are continually adapting to new regulations that shape their analytical strategies. From a Director of Investments discussing the impact of the Secure Act 2.0 to a diverse range of additional answers, including how the SECURE Act modifies retirement planning rules, our experts shed light on the legislative changes influencing their work. Here are seven insightful responses that delve into the recent regulations affecting financial analysis.

Melissa Pavone · Answer

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ or CFP®, I highly encourage small business owners to establish retirement plans not only for the long-term financial security of themselves and their employees, but also for the attractive benefits and tax incentives offered by the IRS.
Thanks to the Secure Act 2.0, the IRS recently offers several tax incentives to small business owners who establish retirement plans. These include deductible contributions to the plan, potential tax credits for startup costs, and the ability to defer taxes on contributions and investment earnings until withdrawal during retirement.
Tax credits are extremely valuable to small business owners. In addition, by offering these benefits, small business owners will help retain key employees by investing in their future.
As a CFP®, I reached out to all my small business owner clients and informed them of this new legislation and the benefits offered to them. It is a win-win!

Samuel Greenes · Answer

As the founder of Blue Insurance, I've seen how recent changes in legislation, particularly the Climate Risk Disclosure Act, have significantly influenced our financial analysis and risk assessment strategies. This act mandates that companies disclose their financial risks related to climate change, a crucial consideration for us in the insurance industry. To adapt, we've deepened our collaboration with environmental experts to refine our risk models, ensuring they accurately reflect the potential impacts of climate change on property and casualty lines. This shift has made our financial analysis more robust and helped us to better protect our clients and their assets against emerging environmental risks. This experience underscored the importance of agility and forward-thinking in our field.

Answer

MiFID II, which stands for Markets in Financial Instruments Directive, is a regulation that has reshaped the way financial markets operate in Europe. It demands that financial services firms enhance their reporting and transparency, especially concerning stock trades. This change has compelled financial analysts to adapt by receiving and processing more in-depth data regarding market transactions.
They now have to ensure that their strategies and analyses comply with the new levels of scrutiny and public disclosure. As a result, financial analysts might need to employ more sophisticated tools to meet these regulatory demands. Stay informed about MiFID II and its impacts on market analysis.

Answer

The General Data Protection Regulation, commonly known as GDPR, has significantly changed the landscape of data privacy in the European Union. This legislation requires that companies handling the personal data of EU citizens meet stringent data protection standards. Financial analysts, who often deal with sensitive information, have to be careful to abide by these rules, which increases both the complexity and cost of their data compliance operations.
The need for enhanced data privacy measures has introduced new challenges but also emphasizes the importance of protecting consumer information. If you're involved in financial analysis, make sure to review your data handling practices to align with GDPR.

Answer

Basel III is a set of international banking regulations that have imposed more rigorous capital requirements for banks. This has a ripple effect on financial analysts as they are required to assess the risk profiles of banks with a much keener eye. The increased capital mandates mean that banks must hold more capital against their assets, which can affect their lending capabilities and financial health.
As financial analysts monitor and evaluate the performance of banking institutions, understanding the implications of Basel III is crucial. Examine how Basel III may be shaping the financial institutions you are analyzing.

Answer

Recent updates to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidelines have brought changes to the way corporate revenue is recognized and reported. These alterations have a direct impact on the day-to-day work of financial analysts by changing how they assess a company's financial performance. Analysts must now dig deeper into the revenue streams of the companies they study to ensure that recognition aligns with the new standards.
The revisions aim to improve financial reporting comparability between organizations. Financial analysts should thoroughly assess these changes to effectively evaluate corporate revenue.

Answer

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is a regulation that has modified several retirement planning rules. This Act has reshaped the retirement landscape by altering the age at which retirement plan participants need to take required minimum distributions and broadening access to retirement plans. Financial analysts have to understand these changes to effectively advise clients on retirement planning strategies.
The amendments also include provisions for annuities and changes to IRA inheritance rules. As you assess retirement plans, consider how the SECURE Act might influence your recommendations.

What Recent Legislation Or Regulation Has Impacted the Work of Financial Analysts?

What Recent Legislation Or Regulation Has Impacted the Work of Financial Analysts?

Secure Act 2.0 Incentivizes Retirement Plans

Climate Risk Disclosure Act Influences Insurance

MiFID II Demands Enhanced Market Transparency

GDPR Raises Data Privacy Standards

Basel III Dictates Stricter Bank Capital Rules

FASB Updates Alter Revenue Recognition

SECURE Act Changes Retirement Planning Rules