Financial Crime Officer

Company Description
At S&W, we help our clients thrive by simplifying the complex, illuminating new paths, and shaping solutions that make a difference. As one of the UK's top 10 fastest-growing accountancy firms, we have been a trusted partner since 1881—helping businesses and individuals meet challenges and seize opportunities across generations.

Built on expertise and driven by ambition, we provide a comprehensive range of services, including tax and accountancy, advisory and assurance, corporate finance, and restructuring. We are defined by our purpose—to help navigate challenges, unlock potential, and achieve the extraordinary.

Job Description
What will you be doing?
We're seeking a talented individual to join our Financial Crime team in Liverpool or Glasgow.

The team is responsible for Financial Crime monitoring and advice on all relevant financial crime issues to the Professional Services.

As a Financial Crime Officer, your responsibilities will include among others

• Risk assessments and CDD - Provide support with risk assessments and CDD enquiries about non-standard requirements and verification issues considering all appropriate risk factors involved. Review and approve EDD for higher-risk potential clients with ability to clearly articulate any changes in risk rating. Undertake additional research and due diligence, preparing client summary, and escalating to the MLRO as required
• Ongoing Enhanced Due Diligence - oversee and document enhanced ongoing monitoring of higher-risk clients (including PEPs, adverse media and any other clients that have been deemed higher risk by Financial Crime)
• Provide advice and assistance to the business and onboarding team in respect of the application of the CDD requirements to client-specific scenarios
• Sanctions/PEP/Enforcement Screening - oversee the management of the escalated alerts resulting from the screening of the new and existing clients against Financial Sanctions, PEP and Enforcement lists ensuring that all potential matches are promptly investigated, concluded, or escalated as appropriate
• CDD files and client monitoring - undertake regular monitoring of onboarding client files (Low and Medium Risk clients) and identify any potential training needs that onboarding may require as a result
• Management Information - support in the population, gathering of data and timely delivery for monthly compliance reports, financial crime dashboards, regulatory reports and any other ad hoc reports when required
• Financial Crime policies and procedures - proactively update and maintain all relevant Financial Crime procedures, registers and logs to ensure accurate record keeping
• Suspicious activity reports - collect relevant information using appropriate sources and systems and draft reports for the submission to NCA, Action Fraud and any other relevant authority
• General advice and Financial Crime matters - providing appropriate, consistent advice on financial crime matters to line management and staff, escalating issues as necessary

Qualifications
Skills and Experience
To be successful in this role, you should have experience

• Proven experience in second line of defence in a similar role, preferably for an accountancy/audit or business advisory services firm
• Appropriate knowledge and understanding of AML regulations including customer due diligence requirements for a variety of client types, complexity of structures, PEPs, and ability to refer to relevant regulation and/or industry guidance as appropriate (such as JMLSG, CCAB)
• NCA SAR process understanding, and some experience in reports drafting is desirable.
• Strong influencing skills with the ability to convince and persuade others, specifically directors, using diplomacy to convey to the business the necessity of their active participation in financial crime matters
• Good level of computer literacy with the ability to analyse and present data in Excel with tables and trends, create presentations in PowerPoint, utilise internal systems etc..
• Strong analysis skills and sound judgement with the ability to analyse correctly in a timely manner, making systematic and rational judgement based on relevant information and experience
• Willingness to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the rules, regulations and guidance in respect of all aspects of financial crime and keep abreast of relevant financial developments that may affect the industry and understand their potential impact on the business

Desired

• Educated to degree level, 2:1 classification or above
• An industry qualification would be an advantage, or willingness to undertake relevant study
• Demonstrable relevant experience and skills in a similar role
• Willingness and ability to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the rules, regulations and guidance in respect of all aspects of financial crime

Additional Information

As a colleague here at S&W you will have access to benefits that include

• Competitive salary
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Pension contribution
• Hybrid working model (role dependent)
• Generous holiday package
• Option to purchase additional holiday
• Shared parental leave
• Fully funded training towards professional qualifications
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Eye care support

We are proud to value the differences that a diverse workforce brings, representative of society and our clients. At S&W we have a wide range of highly active employee resource groups and we're delivering multiple diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the organisation. It is our commitment to provide a workplace where all colleagues, regardless of identity, background, or circumstance, feel respected as individuals and feel that they can achieve their full potential and work in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.

We are happy to make any reasonable adjustments to accommodate for your needs throughout the application process. Please let your Recruiter know.