AML ADVISORY JOB DESCRIPTION

Suspicious activity does not announce itself. The AML Advisory exists to find it, investigate it, and ensure the institution can demonstrate to regulators exactly what was done and why. This role owns the advisory layer of a bank's financial crime programme, covering Customer Due Diligence escalations, Suspicious Activity Report preparation, and regulatory impact assessments under frameworks including the Bank Secrecy Act and MAS requirements. It sits between frontline business units and senior compliance leadership, translating regulatory obligations into operational guidance. Few roles require the same combination of investigative judgment and policy-level thinking.

As the AML Advisory, you will own the end-to-end advisory function for a financial institution's anti-money laundering programme, from investigating Level 3 onboarding escalations to preparing SARs and assessing the impact of new AML/CFT regulatory issuances on banking products and services. You sit within the Financial Crimes or Compliance division, collaborating with Operations, Corporate Banking Controls, technology teams, and regional AML leadership to keep the institution's controls current and defensible.

Career Impact: Deep specialization in BSA, OFAC, and FinCEN compliance frameworks, combined with hands-on SAR writing experience, positions AML Advisory professionals among the most sought-after compliance practitioners in financial services.

Business Impact: The institution's ability to pass regulatory audits, respond to 314(a) and 314(b) inquiries, and avoid enforcement action depends directly on the quality of investigation and documentation this role produces.

Growth Opportunity: Experience spanning transaction monitoring, enhanced due diligence, and AML model governance creates a clear path toward Financial Intelligence Unit leadership or senior advisory roles in global financial crime programmes.

• Investigate Level 3 onboarding and ongoing diligence cases escalated to AML Compliance, documenting findings and recommended courses of action.
• Review and analyze potentially suspicious transaction activity to identify patterns warranting SAR filing within regulatory deadlines.
• Conduct enhanced due diligence on high-risk individuals and entities using public and non-public resources to support risk-based conclusions.
• Assess the compliance impact of new AML/CFT regulatory issuances on banking products, services, and internal policies before cascading guidance to business units.
• Advise internal stakeholders including Operations and Corporate Banking Controls on AML-related issues and resolution strategies.
• Monitor and track responses to internal audit and regulatory findings related to AML, ensuring timely remediation across relevant units.
• Partner with technology and development teams to design AML solutions that improve detection coverage and operational efficiency.
• Develop and deliver AML training materials to bank personnel and contribute to the maintenance of policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures.

• Bachelor's degree in Accountancy, Law, Banking, Business, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of AML/CFT compliance experience in a banking, financial institution, or consulting environment, with demonstrated investigative and advisory scope.
• Knowledge of BSA, USA PATRIOT Act, OFAC, FinCEN requirements, and SAR filing obligations, including 314(a) and 314(b) processes.
• Familiarity with the AML value chain including onboarding, Customer Due Diligence, Transaction Monitoring, and Suspicious Transaction Report workflows.
• Strong SAR writing and case disposition skills, with the ability to document judgments and rationale to a regulatory standard.
• Excellent research skills using both public and non-public resources, with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to advise senior stakeholders and produce clear compliance documentation.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, meet regulatory deadlines, and work independently with minimal supervision.

• CAMS, CFE, or CFCS certification demonstrating validated AML subject matter expertise.
• Knowledge of FINRA, SEC, and broker-dealer regulations, including familiarity with retail brokerage products such as mutual funds, variable annuities, and alternative investments.
• Experience participating in large-scale financial crime change projects from an AML subject matter expert perspective.
• Proficiency in a foreign language relevant to the institution's client base or regional footprint.

• SAR filing timeliness, measured as the percentage of reports submitted within the regulatory deadline.
• Level 3 case resolution rate, tracking the proportion of escalated diligence cases closed with documented findings within agreed SLAs.
• Audit finding remediation rate, reflecting the percentage of internal audit and regulatory findings addressed on time.
• Regulatory impact assessments completed per quarter, measuring advisory coverage of new AML/CFT issuances before business unit cascading.
• Training completion rate across bank personnel receiving AML instruction delivered by this role.
• Typical tools: Transaction monitoring platforms (commonly Actimize or Mantas), Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)

• Base Salary Range: $80,000 to $130,000 depending on seniority and location
• Bonus: 5% to 15% annual performance bonus typical in financial services compliance
• Equity: not commonly offered at this level outside senior or director grades
• Health Benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage standard across US financial institutions
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus federal holidays
• Common Perks: CAMS exam reimbursement, continuing education support, and hybrid work arrangements

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should notify the hiring team in writing. Financial services roles at this level are subject to background screening, which may include credit history review in accordance with applicable law. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship at any time.

The AML Advisory owns the end-to-end review and investigation of Level 3 onboarding and ongoing diligence cases escalated to AML Compliance, supporting the Bank's AML programme across policies, regulatory issuances, and technology-driven solutions. Working closely with the Head of AML Compliance and cross-functional teams including Operations and Business Units, the role delivers advisory on CDD, Sanctions, and Transaction Monitoring to strengthen the Bank's financial crime controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, monitor, and investigate Level 3 onboarding and ongoing diligence cases escalated to AML Compliance.
• Assist the Head of AML Compliance in providing advisory and responding to queries related to CDD, Risk Profiling, Sanctions, Transaction Monitoring, and STR reporting.
• Assist in the development and implementation of the Bank's AML Policies, Guidelines, and applicable SOPs.
• Monitor new AML/CFT regulatory issuances and provide initial draft impact assessment on banking activities, products, and services.
• Address and monitor responses and actions taken to resolve internal audit and regulator findings related to AML.
• Work closely with technology and development teams to design and deliver AML solutions to support growth.
• Contribute to development of training materials and conduct training to Bank Personnel in relation to AML.
• Recommend process enhancements on coordination between Business and Compliance Units.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Accountancy, Law, Banking, or Business equivalent.
• 3-10 years of relevant experience in AML/CFT, preferably with consulting firms, banking, or financial institutions.
• Familiar with AML value chain, including Onboarding, ongoing CDD, Sanctions, Transaction Monitoring, and STR reporting.
• Good project management, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Builder mindset, proactive, can-do attitude, able to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Embedded within the AML Advisory Data, Infrastructure, and Analysis group, the AML Advisory delivers AML subject matter expertise to support the deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of detection models that alert on potentially suspicious activity and high-risk customers. Working closely with analyst teams, data scientists, the Model Risk Office, Corporate Audit Services, and lines of business, the role advances the integrity and compliance of AML models across the enterprise to ensure continued stability in identifying unusual account activity.

Core Functions

• Partner with analyst teams, data scientists, LOB partners, Advisory SMEs, and product owners as an AML subject matter expert to support deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of new and existing models.
• Support compliance of AML models with enterprise governance policies such as Model Policy and Enterprise Data Management standards.
• Collaborate across the AML Program and with internal stakeholder groups, including the Model Risk Office, Corporate Audit Services, and lines of business.
• Contribute to, edit, and deliver presentations communicating recommendations, proposals, or project statuses to senior leaders and key stakeholders.
• Develop dynamic and thorough documents such as white papers, policies, standards, and procedures to strengthen and ensure a well-managed program.
• Conduct investigations or complete risk assessments, particularly for AML programs.
• Set direction, manage expectations, and lead cross-functional teams.
• Interact with and influence program leaders and executives.

Qualifications and Experience

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent certification.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• CAMS or CFE Certification.
• At least 4 years of AML experience, with at least 2 years developing risk management intent.
• Familiarity with machine learning modeling techniques.
• Familiarity with or a strong desire to learn common programming languages such as SQL, Python, or open source technology.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently.

The AML Advisory Investigative Analyst will be responsible for monitoring and reviewing transactions for identifying potentially suspicious activity, conducting investigations, and preparing Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), as required.

Primary Duties

• Identify and investigate potentially suspicious fraudulent activity utilizing relevant systems and matters notified and escalated to the AML Group.
• Conduct and document thorough reviews of relevant activity.
• Complete SARs timely and to a high standard.
• Work with advisors and supervisors to gather information and documentation required to resolve matters.
• Perform client due diligence reviews utilizing internal and third-party research tools.
• Maintain currency in laws and regulations about anti-money laundering violations.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality in all dealings with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred, high school diploma or equivalent in combination with significant experience considered in lieu of degree.
• CAMS or equivalent (CFCS), FINRA Series 7, and CFE Certification are a plus.
• 1-3 years of securities industry experience and 2-3 years conducting investigations into financial crime such as money laundering and fraud.
• Extensive knowledge of FINRA, SEC, BSA, and Firm-specific rules and regulations, including 314(a) and 314(b) experience.
• Knowledge of retail brokerage, fee-based advisory business, and common investment products including mutual funds, variable annuities, alternative investments, stocks, and bonds.
• Experience with Transaction Monitoring Systems such as Actimize and Mantas.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Access.
• Strong SAR writing, case disposition, analytical, and communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work within strict timeframes.

Sitting at the intersection of financial crime compliance and investigative analysis, the AML Advisory shapes the Bank's defense against money laundering by performing independent reviews of suspicious activity, conducting enhanced due diligence, and preparing SARs in line with BSA and USA Patriot Act requirements. Operating across law enforcement coordination, regulatory reporting, and cross-team project initiatives, the role enables the Bank to manage emerging risks with sound, well-documented risk-based conclusions.

Duties

• Assist with assessment of emerging trends and red flags identified in news sources, global current events, and geopolitical changes.
• Perform independent reviews and analysis of possible suspicious activity to ensure compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and the USA Patriot Act.
• Independently conduct documented enhanced due diligence on individuals and entities, utilizing all available resources to develop findings and recommendations.
• Initiate and respond to 314(a)/314(b) inquiries from law enforcement and financial institutions.
• Investigate and research cases involving potentially suspicious situations and arrive at sound risk-based conclusions.
• Clearly and concisely document and support judgments, decisions, and rationale in accordance with business unit standards.
• Prepare regulatory reports (SARs) within regulatory guidelines.
• Apply project management and organization skills to a variety of tasks including ad-hoc assignments.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• 1-3 years of relevant experience in financial industry compliance.
• Knowledge of laws applicable to money laundering, including BSA, USA PATRIOT ACT, OFAC, FinCEN requirements, and SAR requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office including MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-Access, MS-PowerPoint, and MS-Outlook.
• Excellent research skills, including experience with online research tools.
• Strong writing, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to multitask and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with ability to work independently.
• Proficiency in a foreign language is a plus.

A key member of the US Delivery Center consulting team, the AML Advisory conducts AML transaction analysis, KYC file reviews, and CDD and EDD documentation to help clients remediate complex AML and sanctions issues. Collaborating across client organizations and internal stakeholder groups, the role builds client capability in identifying suspicious activity and meeting regulatory requirements across the AML compliance lifecycle.

Functions

• Conduct AML Transaction Analysis and help identify potentially suspicious activity.
• Perform sanctions, Politically Exposed Persons (PEP), and negative media screening.
• Conduct an AML Know Your Customer (KYC) customer file review and refresh.
• Research financial statements and documentation needed for Customer Identification Program (CIP) validation.
• Document and escalate Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) information for client cases.
• Document processes and controls for testing execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).
• 1+ years of experience with AML enhanced due diligence, AML compliance, KYC assessment, historical transaction analysis, sanctions hit investigation, or financial intelligence units.
• Experience working in the financial services industry.
• Experience working on the internal audit operations team.
• Ability to travel up to 10% on average based on the work and clients served.