Compliance Officer

Primary Purpose of Role   

The Compliance officer will support the organisation’s compliance framework with a particular focus on anti-money laundering (AML) and data privacy. The role will help ensure that internal processes, records, and controls are maintained in line with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including AML legislation, ICAEW regulations, and UK GDPR / Data Protection Act 2018 obligations. The postholder will provide administrative, monitoring, and reporting support to the compliance function and work closely with colleagues across the business to promote good compliance practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with Client and third-party due diligence processes, including identification checks, verification of beneficial ownership, screening against sanctions and politically exposed persons (PEP) lists, and risk-based file reviews.
• Support ongoing AML monitoring activities, including periodic reviews, trigger event reviews, and maintaining accurate AML and know-your-Client records.
• Escalate unusual activity, incomplete information, or potential financial crime concerns to the Risk and Governance Director in a timely manner.
• Maintain AML registers, case logs, and supporting documentation to ensure records are complete, accurate, and audit ready.
• Support the administration of data privacy processes, including data subject rights requests, breach logging, records of processing activities, retention tracking, and policy updates.
• Assist with the review and maintenance of compliance policies, procedures, templates, and guidance notes relating to AML, financial crime, confidentiality, and data protection.
• Help prepare management information, dashboards, and routine reports on compliance activity, outstanding actions, incidents, and trends.
• Provide support for internal monitoring, file reviews, audits, and compliance testing exercises, including collating evidence and tracking follow-up actions.
• Respond to routine compliance queries from colleagues and direct more complex issues to the Risk and Governance Director.
• Support staff awareness initiatives by helping to coordinate training, reminders, and communications on AML, data privacy and ICEAW Regulatory requirements.
• Liaise with operational teams to ensure compliance actions are completed within required timescales and documented appropriately.
• Undertake general administrative and project support for the wider compliance function as required.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Skills:

• Good understanding of AML principles, Client due diligence, sanctions screening, and financial crime risk indicators.
• Awareness of data protection principles and the practical application of UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and sound judgement.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear records and concise reports.
• Competent in Microsoft Office applications and comfortable using compliance tools e.g. Companies House and Identity verification tools
• Ability to prioritise workload, manage competing deadlines, and follow through on actions.
• A proactive and collaborative approach, with a willingness to learn and develop in a compliance environment.

Qualifications and Experience

• Previous experience within compliance, legal, risk, accountancy, or a regulated environment is desirable.
• Experience of AML, onboarding, data protection administration, or compliance monitoring would be advantageous.
• Demonstrable experience of maintaining accurate records and working with process-driven tasks is preferred.

Role Attributes

The successful candidate will be methodical, dependable, and capable of working with a high degree of accuracy in a confidential environment. They will demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and a genuine interest in developing a career in compliance, with particular exposure to AML and data privacy matters.

This job description is intended to provide an overview of the role and key responsibilities. It is not exhaustive, and the postholder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the level of the role in support of the organisation’s compliance objectives.