Spotlights
Risk Manager, Internal Auditor, Accreditation Lieutenant, Accreditation Manager, Compliance Director, Compliance Operations Manager
Every organization on Earth has some sort of financial structure, whether it’s a “mom and pop” store, a nonprofit, a company, an insurance firm, or a government agency. And whenever money is involved, you can bet there are rules and regulations about how that money gets used. That’s why most organizations have at least one dedicated Financial Compliance Officer on staff to keep them out of legal trouble.
Financial Compliance Officers carefully review balance sheets, income statements, and other financial documents. They meticulously screen for discrepancies and ensure compliance with applicable federal and state regulations (plus any other guidelines they’re asked to watch out for). Their goal is to find and prevent oversights, errors, and fraud that could impact the integrity of their employer’s finances.
“My job to conduct reviews of our current policies, procedures, practices, and work flows to understand if we are complying with all state and federal laws. If I can find an area that can be improved I help to develop programs designed to reduce risk. I also review and evaluate vendor contracts to determine if the company can provide the services needed, are adequately prepare to support our overall needs, and then build actual contracts for signature. As one of the more important aspects of my job I conduct monthly risk assessments on business practices. I help to identify where improvements can be made and then pass these on to the managers and help develop better documentation process and quality control reviews. “ Jarrett Wright Carson, Compliance Manager, Alaska USA FCU
- Playing a critical role in preventing financial misconduct and crises
- Opportunities to work in a wide range of organizations
- Collaborating with teams to enhance compliance and risk management
"I can see the benefit of my job in the ability for my employees to help customers and other departments within our organization. I get to mentor, develop, and coach my employees into being the next managerial group that will lead this company. " Jarrett Wright Carson, Compliance Manager, Alaska USA FCU
Working Schedule
- Financial Compliance Officers typically work full-time, with the potential for overtime during audits and examination periods.
Typical Duties
- Develop and implement risk management strategies and compliance audit plans, procedures, documentation, databases, and tracking systems
- Forge relationships with stakeholders to ensure effective communication and cooperation
- Conduct internal audits, self-assessments, and thorough reviews of financial statements and records to ensure compliance with regulations and identify potential risks and irregularities
- Prepare detailed reports of findings and recommend corrective actions
- Monitor ongoing compliance; follow up on previous findings to make sure they’ve been addressed
- Evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls. Recommend improvements, as needed
- Ensure institutions adhere to federal and state laws and regulations, and submit accurate and timely regulatory filings and reports
- Ensure compliance with anti-money laundering and know-your-customer regulations
- Collaborate with legal and regulatory teams; liaise with external regulatory bodies and auditors
- Train staff on compliance requirements and best practices
Investigate complaints and potential violations of financial regulations - Implement and oversee whistleblower policies and procedures
- Conduct special investigations into potential financial misconduct or regulatory breaches
Additional Responsibilities
- Stay current with financial regulations and examination techniques
- Engage in professional development opportunities
- Provide guidance and support to junior officers and other staff
- Assist in the preparation for regulatory examinations and audits
"My typical day first starts out with a meeting. I try to always have a team meeting in order to prioritize what needs to be accomplished within my division. In this meeting I focus on the priorities of work, making sure me and my team are on the same page, and then ensure that I know if there are any issues that could arise. Communication is key. After this initial meeting, usually I review my daily and production tracker. This allows me to see what I have on my "to do list", the priorities, and who needs it. I then start picking the highest priority item or what can be done the quickest and slowly attack the list. This sometimes will require extensive reading, contracts, legal documents, federal or state laws, etc. After lunch I then change gears and start focusing on the training aspect of what my team does. We develop training programs and this allows me to then focus on this area without many distractions. Towards the end of the day, I conduct an informal review of what my team has accomplished, what I have done, and then build a plan for the next day and my morning meetings." Jarrett Wright Carson, Compliance Manager, Alaska USA FCU
Soft Skills
- Active listening
- Adaptability
- Analytical
- Compliance-oriented
- Critical thinking
- Detail-oriented
- Discipline
- Financial acumen
- Integrity
- Patience
- Persistence
- Persuasion
- Planning and organization
- Problem-solving skills
- Skepticism
- Sound judgment
- Strong communication skills
- Teamwork
- Time management
Technical Skills
- Data analysis and interpretation, using tools like Microsoft Excel, Tableau, or SPSS to identify trends and anomalies
- Familiarity with regulatory compliance software such as SAS, MetricStream, or IBM OpenPages for monitoring and ensuring compliance
- Knowledge of financial regulations and standards, utilizing tools like Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions
- Proficiency in financial analysis and auditing techniques and programs, utilizing software like QuickBooks, SAP, or ACL Analytics for thorough financial reviews
- Report writing, using Microsoft Word or Google Docs
- Risk management, employing tools like Archer or RiskWatch to develop and implement effective risk mitigation strategies
- Understanding of banking and financial systems, using platforms like Fiserv, Jack Henry, or Oracle Financial Services to manage and oversee banking operations
- Banks and credit unions
- Companies and corporations
- Financial consulting firms
- Governmental agencies
- Insurance companies
- Investment firms
- Nonprofit organizations
Financial Compliance Officers are expected to maintain high standards of accuracy and integrity. Their role is crucial in identifying and mitigating risks within their employing institutions. There’s a ton of pressure to ensure compliance and avoid fines or sanctions, so they must be vigilant and detail-oriented because even minor oversights can lead to significant repercussions.
The job requires extensive research and continuous education to keep up with changing laws and regulations. Hours can be long and the role can be stressful at times, but there’s job satisfaction from protecting organizations and consumers from financial misconduct. Also, the skills and experience gained in this role can open doors to advanced positions within the field!
The financial industry is increasingly utilizing technology to improve compliance processes. Automation, artificial intelligence, and blockchain are becoming integral in detecting irregularities and ensuring transparency. Regulatory Technology solutions are on the rise, helping compliance officers manage regulatory requirements by streamlining reporting, enhancing risk management, and reducing the time and cost of compliance activities.
There’s also a growing emphasis on sustainable finance and environmental, social, and governance regulations. Financial compliance officers are thus charged with ensuring their institutions adhere to these strict standards and exhibit more responsible corporate behavior!
- Playing board games and exploring the rules.
- Reading books and problem solving.
- Keeping personal belongings organized.
- A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field is typically required to get started. However, relevant work experience is also essential. Some companies offer on-the-job training, internships, or other mentorship programs, but most Financial Compliance Officers still have to work their way up to the role
- Workers require in-depth knowledge of finance, auditing, compliance, financial regulations, and standards. They should also be proficient with compliance and financial analysis software and must understand risk management principles and practices
- Continuous professional development (via classes, certifications, conferences, workshops, and seminars) is needed to stay updated on regulatory changes and industry best practices
- Advanced positions may require a master’s degree and/or additional certifications such as:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
- Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM)
- Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
- Certified Global Sanctions Specialist (CGSS)
- Look for reputable, accredited college programs in finance, accounting, or business administration, with programs emphasizing financial regulations, auditing, and compliance.
- Decide early if you plan to pursue a master’s. It may be easier to complete a bachelor’s and master’s at the same school, perhaps via a dual program.
- In addition, consider the following:
- Costs of tuition (including in-state versus out-of-state tuition rates).
- Discounts or scholarship options.
- Whether federal aid will help cover costs or not.
- Whether to enroll in an on-campus, online, or hybrid program.
- The experience and achievements of the faculty.
- Opportunities for internships or cooperative learning.
- Graduate job placement stats and details about the program’s alumni network.
- Study hard in math, finance, economics, statistics, business, physics, and computer science/programming classes
- Volunteer for student activities where you can manage money and learn practical soft skills
- Consider applying for part-time jobs in accounting or finance
- Review job postings in advance to see what the average requirements are. If you know which company or employer you want to work for, ask to schedule an informational interview with one of their working compliance officers to learn more about their jobs
- Seek out internships and cooperative experiences in college
- Keep track of the names and contact info of people who might serve as future job references
- Study books, articles, and video tutorials related to financial laws. Participate in online discussion groups
- Engage with professional organizations to learn, share, make friends, and grow your network (see our list of Resources > Websites)
- Knock out any relevant certifications as soon as you can to bolster your credentials and make you more competitive in the job market
- Get some practical work experience under your belt before applying, if possible. Jobs related to finance, accounting, and business will look good on an application
- A master’s isn’t needed to get started working in this field, but a graduate degree may put you ahead of the competition
- Let your network know you are looking for work. Most job opportunities are still discovered through personal connections
- Check out job portals such as Indeed, Simply Hired, and Glassdoor, as well as the career pages of companies you are interested in working for
- Check out a few online Financial Compliance Officer resume templates for formatting and phrasing ideas
- Screen job ads carefully and only apply if you’re fully qualified. Include keywords in your resume, such as:
- AML/KYC Compliance
- Artificial Intelligence in Compliance
- Audit Procedures
- Blockchain Technology
- Compliance Databases
- Data Analysis (Excel, Tableau, SPSS)
- Financial Analysis
- Financial Reporting
- Financial Systems (QuickBooks, SAP, Fiserv)
- Internal Controls
- RegTech Solutions
- Regulatory Compliance Software (SAS, MetricStream, IBM OpenPages)
- Risk Management (RSA Archer, RiskWatch)
- Finance-related apprenticeships or cooperative experiences can help get your foot in the door. They look great on resumes plus may yield some personal references for later
- Move to where the most job opportunities are! Some states with the highest employment level for finance jobs are New York, California, Texas, Illinois, and Florida
- Many big companies recruit grads from local programs, so ask your college’s program or career center for help connecting with recruiters and job fairs
- Career centers also offer assistance with resume writing and mock interviewing!
- Ask former teachers and supervisors if they’ll serve as personal references. Don’t give out their contact info without permission
- Make an account on Quora to ask job advice questions from workers in the field
- Financial Compliance Officer interview questions to prepare your responses. Sample questions might include: “What are the key regulatory frameworks that a Financial Compliance Officer should be familiar with?” or “How do you handle conflicts between compliance requirements and business objectives?”
- Dress appropriately for job interview success!
"Have an effective resume that does not just list the responsibilities of the job. Talk about what you did, and how well you did it. Focus on ACTION, IMPACT, and RESULT. What did you do, what did it do for the company, and what was the final result of your actions. Your resume should be as long as it needs to be to convince the reader you are the right person for the job." Jarrett Wright Carson, Compliance Manager, Alaska USA FCU
- Be resilient and maintain your professionalism at all times. Build your reputation as an ethical Financial Compliance Officer who offers feasible ideas and solutions to problems
- Constantly listen to and learn from other seasoned professionals so you can avoid issues they may have encountered
- Demonstrate a willingness to assume more responsibility and tackle increasingly complex tasks
- Knock out additional education and training to improve your technical skills
- Keep growing your professional network. Attend events, conferences, and workshops
- Seek feedback from supervisors and colleagues to identify areas for improvement
- Consider relocating or switching employers if necessary to achieve career goals
- Stay informed about industry trends and changes by reading industry publications and joining professional associations
- Develop your analytical skills to analyze complex data and identify potential compliance risks. Learn about new programs and technologies
- Cultivate strong communication skills to explain complex regulations clearly to different stakeholders
- Demonstrate leadership by leading compliance projects, mentoring junior staff, and contributing to your team’s success
- Be detail-oriented in reviewing documents, monitoring compliance activities, and ensuring all regulatory requirements are met
- Build strong relationships with regulatory bodies to better understand their expectations and facilitate smoother compliance audits and inspections
- Foster a culture of compliance within your organization by training staff, promoting ethical behavior, and ensuring everyone understands the importance of compliance.
"Sacrifice and Dedication. Sacrifice the things you do not need or should not be doing for the things you know are going to help you become better. Be dedicated to your plan. Your plan will help you achieve your overall goals." Jarrett Wright Carson, Compliance Manager, Alaska USA FCU
Websites
- American Bankers Association
- American Compliance Association
- Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists
- Association of Certified Chief Financial Officers
- Bankers Online
- Compliance & Ethics Blog
- Compliance Today
- Compliance Week
- Corporate Compliance Insights
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
- Global Association of Risk Professionals
- Institute for Financial Markets
- Institute of Internal Auditors
- International Compliance Association
- Journal of Financial Compliance
- National Association of State Boards of Accountancy
- National Society of Compliance Professionals
- Regulatory Compliance Watch
- Risk & Compliance Journal
- Risk Management Association
- Securities and Exchange Commission
- Thomson Reuters Compliance Learning
Books
- Financial Regulation: Law and Policy by Michael S. Barr
- Principles of Financial Regulation, by John Armour, et. al.
- The Essentials of Risk Management by Michel Crouhy, et. al.
Financial Compliance Officers bear professional responsibility for keeping their organizations compliant with numerous regulations. Sometimes, mistakes still happen and companies get fined or even prosecuted. In rare cases, the compliance officers themselves may face personal liability if they also made mistakes. As a result, it is important to weigh the career’s rewards with its potential risks!
For those who want to explore alternative career paths that rely on similar skills, check out our list below.
- Customs Broker
- Document Management Specialist
- Environmental Compliance Inspector
- Equal Opportunity Representative
- Financial Analyst
- Forensic Accountant
- Government Property Inspector
- Internal Auditor
- Quality Control Systems Manager
- Regulatory Affairs Manager
- Risk Manager
Bank Compliance is part of a larger group of Financial Examiners. It is all about helping business navigate not only legal complications, but moral ones as well. If you are an individual who wants to help prevent fraud, or other financial problems, it is an excellent career path. These individuals, at their best, can help organizations thrive while truly helping their customers.
You will need to be good with legal matters, as well as have some knowledge of the financial world.
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