Have the Academies been discontinued?
Absolutely not.  While the pandemic has made it difficult for us to conduct Academies, they are still operating on a limited schedule and with limited attendance to allow social distancing.  Once the pandemic abates, we will be ramping up the number of Academies we are offering.

Is the Essentials Workshop just an online version of the Academies?
No.  They cover the elements of a compliance and ethics program but at a more basic level than the Academies.  The Essentials workshop starts at square one.  The workshops don’t get into specific areas of law such FCPA and privacy, which the Academies do.

Why did you create the Essentials Workshop?
We realized that for some individuals the Academies were too advanced and for these people attending an Academy was a bit overwhelming.  With the pandemic raging it is difficult for people to attend an Academy and get training in compliance program management; they needed an alternative.  And, of course, many work at organizations where there is not the budget to attend an Academy, and the Essentials workshop is a more affordable alternative.

Who is the Essentials Workshop for?
The Essentials course is ideal for people with less than two years’ worth of experience in compliance, including those that have just entered compliance for the first time.  It provides a comprehensive introduction to the elements of a compliance and ethics program to enable attendees to be able to be a more effective member of the compliance team.

What if I have more than two years’ experience?  Am I still allowed to attend the Essentials Workshop?  Or if I have less than two years can I attend an Academy?
Yes. the years of experience is just a guideline for you to consider.  They are not hard and fast rules that limit who can attend each program.

I want to get certified. Should I take the essentials workshop or an Academy?
First, to be absolutely clear, neither course is designed to be a test prep class.  While both programs provide an overview of the elements of a compliance and ethics program, and you will see crossover educational content, it is important to recognize the optional CCB certification exam is more focused on the practical application of a compliance program. In line with this one of the prerequisites for taking the exam is having at least one year of experience in a compliance-related role. 

Both programs can enable you to earn the 20 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that are also required to take a Compliance Certification Board (CCB)® exam.

Review of the Candidate Handbooks Detailed Content Outline (DCO) is very important to ensure you are aware of all the areas in which you will be tested and to self-assess your individual educational needs. If you have any further questions regarding an exam, please visit https://www.corporatecompliance.org/certification/become-certified.

But, which course is right for you is really more about where you are in your career.  If compliance is relatively new to you then the Essentials course may be a better starting point for developing your expertise.  If, though, you have the fundamentals down pat, then plan on attending the Academy.

Do I get the continuing education units (CEUs) exam from the workshop that I need to take the certification exam?
Yes.  You can earn a maximum of 21.6 CEUs from the workshop, and you only need 20 CEUs to take the exam.

Which gives me more CEUs, Academies or Essentials Workshop?
The Academies provide a maximum of 29.4 CEUs vs. 21.6 CEUs for the Essentials Workshop

What are the differences between the Essentials Workshop and an Academy?
The Essentials Workshop assumes less expertise and experience in compliance.  As a result it spends a greater portion of its time covering the basics while the Academy is more focused on the application.  The Academy has more cases and group discussions while the Workshop relies more heavily on delivery of content by the instructors, followed by some Q&A in a chat format.

In addition to covering the elements of a compliance program, the Academies, unlike the Essentials Workshop, also spend considerable time on specific areas of law such as FCPA and privacy.

The Academies tend to have more interaction because they are face-to-face vs. virtual.

The Academies offer more CEUs, but both offer enough so that if one attends all sessions, he or she will have met the CEU requirement for taking an optional CCB certification exam. Note there is also a work experience requirement one must meet for taking an exam. 

SCCE Basic Academies come with one-year, free digital access to the Complete Compliance & Ethics Manual.  

I need to also learn about FCPA and privacy laws which program is better for me?
The Academies delve into specific areas of law and are a better choice.  Check the Academies brochure to see if it touches on the risk areas you are interested in.

Are both the Essentials Workshop and Academies taught by the same people?
There is very little overlap between academy faculty and workshop instructors.

Do I get the digital version of the Complete Compliance & Ethics Manual with the Essentials Workshop?
No that is only provided for SCCE Academy attendees. 

Will you be offering the Academies virtually anytime soon?
No, we do not plan on offering the Academies virtually because one of the distinctive aspects of the Academies are the interactive group projects.  Several times during the Academes the attendees are broken up into small groups to work together to solve various challenges.  That is not something that can easily be duplicated online.  In addition, the Academies are designed to foster a high level of interaction between the faculty and attendees.  Again, that is not an experience that can easily be duplicated in a virtual format.

How many people will be at both events?
The Essentials Workshop has a cap of 150 people per workshop.  The Academies traditionally have been capped at 75, but because of social distancing are now even smaller.

International Academies teach on the core elements of a compliance & ethics program as do the Basic Academies; however, they don’t get into US laws, they are kept more generic.  Is the Essentials Workshop still a good fit for an international registrant?
Yes.  The focus of the essentials course is more on components of a compliance program, rather than any country’s specific laws and risk areas.  When it comes to the components of an effective compliance program there is strong and growing global consensus on what makes for an effective compliance programs, with laws and enforcement authorities around the world increasingly taking a common approach.  In fact, in October 2020, the Serious Fraud Office in the United Kingdom just made that even clearer, releasing a document that shows a remarkable consistency with existing US enforcement practices when it comes to compliance programs.