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KYC AML Guide: the Clock shows the average reeding time of the blogFebruary 23, 2024

Certifications for AML Compliance Professionals

Compliance with AML regulations created under FINRA and FinCEN guidelines   are obligatory for all financial organizations. While these AML guidelines aim to reduce money laundering and terrorist financing, they increment intricacy for organizations that should accomplish and keep up with compliance without disturbing their tasks. Moreover, the presence of an expert compliance professional is essential to guarantee compliance with regulations and standards within an organization. The compliance professional is crucial in establishing a culture of compliance, conducting research, and developing and implementing policies. The following question arises when pondering the significance of having a qualified compliance professional: what certification do they have to get to take care of their business competently and sufficiently meet the association's compliance needs?

Belal Mahmoud

KYC Product Consultant

What is AML Compliance?

An effective AML program guarantees that illicit funds don’t enter the authentic financial system. Compliance with AML regulations is a necessity for regulated entities like banks and financial service providers. By utilizing powerful AML strategies and methods, training, and technology, organizations can meet compliance requirements and fabricate trust in their activities.

Who is the Person Responsible for the Program?

First, you should hire a compliance professional to oversee your company’s AML compliance and ensure your procedures meet regulatory expectations. You are looking for someone with experience in your specific industry. Ideally, they should know your business and the risks it faces. They should also have experience managing the compliance team.

AML Certification

A certificate of compliance is a contractual document that shows that certain requirements have been met. It is a legal statement that a person or company meets a set of requirements. Two well-known organizations, ACAMS (Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists) and ICA (International Compliance Association), appear to offer comprehensive certifications. ACAMS offers basic CAMS certification, while ICA offers a variety of certifications, including advanced certifications in AML and compliance. The price for ACMAS members is $595.00 and for non-members $795.00. Here are some popular certifications:

Sr. No.

Certificates

Description

1 Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) -CAMS is a global credential that demonstrates skills and knowledge in AML and anti-money laundering practices. Companies, governments, and regulators consider CAMS certification to be the gold standard in the field of AML certification.

-To obtain CAMS certification, candidates must have relevant work experience, provide industry references, and meet other requirements.

-It is a 3-4 month long certification and the exam has 120 questions, and a passing score of 80% is required

2 Certified Community Bank Compliance Officer (CCBCO) -CCBCO certification is a recognized designation in the field of bank compliance, especially for those who work at community banks.

-This certification demonstrates the holder’s expertise and comprehensive knowledge of a bank’s regulatory compliance programs

-To become a CCBCO, candidates must have in-depth knowledge of various legal systems such as TRID, UDAAP, HMDA, RESPA, Reg GG, Fair Housing Act, Consumer Privacy, E-sign Act, and Right to Financial Privacy.

3 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) -CISSP is a prestigious certification in the information security field. This certificate is required for experts working in the areas of data protection, information security, and risk management.

-People should have no less than five years of work experience in two of the eight or more CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) domains. or four years of bachelor’s degree to become a CISSP

-The CISSP test is four hours in length, has up to 175 questions and expects you to pass eight areas. Also, competitors should acknowledge the (ISC)2 Code of Ethics and disclose any criminal record.

-According to CyberSeek, CISSP certifications are in the highest demand among all current cybersecurity job openings requiring certification. As of December 2023, over 85,000 cybersecurity job postings required CISSP certification.

4 Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) -CRCM certification is the most sought-after certification for banking and compliance professionals. It demonstrates expertise in regulatory compliance and expands expertise in managing compliance risk programs or supporting the effectiveness of compliance risk management.

-The CRCM exam consists of 200 MCQs and a passing score of 75% is required

5 Certified Financial Crime Specialists (CFCS) -The Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists (ACFCS) offers certification of a CFCS. The CFCS certificate gives a wide point of view on the types of money laundering, covering subjects such as corruption and fraud.

-To qualify for the CFCS certification

a. Candidate must possess a minimum of 40 credits in the field of financial crime from a combination of education, professional certificates, and experience.

b.Provide two professional references.

– It is perceived by more than 80 nations. The exam consists of 124 MCQs with a time duration of 4 hours.

6 ICA International Diploma in Governance, Risk and Compliance (ICA IDGRC) -It is a professional qualification that demonstrates people skills in governance, risk management, and compliance. This program is intended for professionals with risk and compliance work in various organizations and sectors.

A series of tests and examinations must be passed to earn the ICA IDGRC. Successful completion of the program exhibits that the individual has a strong background in the field and is ready to apply best practices in their work.

7 Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) -The CCEP certificate is one of the certifications offered by the Compliance Certification Board (CCB). By focusing on a wide range of compliance services, obtaining this certification will strengthen your company’s reputation as a compliance specialist.

-To take the exam and get certified, you must have the following:

-At least one year of full-time compliance experience or 1,500 hours of direct compliance tasks in the last two years.

Also read: 5 Key Skills to Look for When Hiring Compliance Professionals

Is an AML Certification Necessary? Which Should Be Considered?

Why would there be a need to get an AML certificate? Numerous readers are questioning some things and searching for replies. The solution to this question is subjective and everybody has an alternate opinion on it. In particular, certification is fundamental for building a steady profession. Additionally, it relies upon your circumstances and the work you are searching for. Without the necessary knowledge and skills, you cannot expect to find skilled employment. An AML certificate will assist compliance professional with securing these abilities and foster their career.

Having a Certificate of compliance brings many benefits, including

This picture shows the various benefits of getting an AML compliance certificate for compliance professionals. These certificates have many advantages such as career opportunities, significant salaries, encouraging learning, and many more.

1 Boost Your Career

Having a certificate of compliance can increase employment prospects, especially in anti-money laundering and reducing financial crime jobs.

2 Prove Your Expertise

This document demonstrates that the compliance professional has the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent financial crime and money laundering.

3 Improving Industry Credibility

Certification increases the credibility of each individual in your department and can increase trust with employees and customers.

4 Encourage Continuous Learning

The process of obtaining and maintaining certification can encourage compliance professional to continue to improve their knowledge and skills in their field.

5 Meeting Regulatory Requirements:

In some industries, such as financial services, the law may require compliance certification. The possession of the AML compliance certificate in these institutions proves that the compliance professional meets the requirements of the law and can avoid fines and penalties.

KYC AML guide provides CAAS marketplace services. We have highly qualified compliance professionals with the right compliance skills.

Conclusion

Finally, compliance with AML legislation is essential for organizations and professionals involved in financial transactions. Ultimately, the choice of certification depends on each person’s professional goals and the role they play in an organization’s AML compliance efforts. Many compliance professionals pursue certifications, including Compliance Certification, to improve their knowledge and capabilities in combating money laundering and ensuring AML compliance.

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Belal Mahmoud
KYC AML Guide: the Linkedin share

Belal possess over 8 years experience in the KYC Identity Verification industry. He has consulted KYC solutions for over 20 new economy companies at DIFC and ADGM while ensuring a seamless technical integration and helped in jurisdictional compliance audits.