Gifts, goodwill and bribery risks – A seasonal reminder for firms

Christmas time brings many joyful things to the corporate world.

The twinkly lights and decorations that get to make an appearance from the back of the cupboard, the growing stack of mince pies to snack on, colleagues wearing jumpers that definitely shouldn’t have left the house and a noticeable rise in “little gifts” between businesses.

Most gifts are perfectly innocent. A box of chocolates to say thank you, a festive lunch with a supplier, a polite exchange of cards. Life would be very dull without a bit of goodwill.

However, the trouble starts when these small gestures slide into something a touch less wholesome.

Could you identify a bribe if you saw one?

Bribery isn’t always a brown envelope under a table like you might see in the films. It can look like an overly generous seasonal treat or a gift that doesn’t quite match the relationship you’ve built.

Nothing says “red flag” quite like a £300 bottle of Whisky arriving out of nowhere from someone who’s only just instructed your firm.

The main thing is that you and your team stay vigilant and play on the side of caution. The last thing you need is to start 2026 off under scrutiny.

The consequences of bribery and corruption

Every time a bribe changes hands, someone who plays by the rules loses out.

The fallout from not playing by the book shows itself in all sorts of ways:

• Honest businesses miss contracts they deserved.
• Public money doesn’t reach the people who need it most.
• Public trust shrinks when people feel the system is stitched up.
• Smaller firms struggle to grow because the playing field tilts in favour of those willing to bend the rules.
• Employees feel pressured to “go along with it” to keep their jobs, even if something feels off.

The real cost is confidence. Once people start thinking corners are always being cut, faith in institutions fades.

How good training keeps firms safe from bribery and corruption

For accounting and legal professionals, your regulators require everyone at your firm to complete regular training on bribery and corruption.

You work in roles built on trust and are relied on to act fairly and follow the rules that protect everyone involved.

Effective bribery and corruption compliance training gives teams the tools to recognise risk, apply firm policies consistently, understand what sort of gift is appropriate and make sound decisions even when situations feel grey.

It supports a culture where transparency is normal and everyone knows how to respond without overthinking.

Our Anti-Bribery & Corruption certified course covers exactly this.

Learners receive actionable guidance tailored to the realities of legal and accountancy work, including scenarios that feel realistic rather than generic.

We also offer a refresher course for anyone who needs it, so you can stay up to date without that familiar feeling of déjà vu.

Get in touch to book a demo of our compliance training platform catered to legal and accounting professionals.