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Design, implement, and maintain a robust QA framework for AML/CTF and financial crime compliance; conduct independent reviews and control testing (transaction monitoring, KYC, CDD)
Analyze QA results, deliver actionable insights, track KPIs/quality metrics, and drive corrective actions with governance oversight
Collaborate with legal/compliance/operational teams; document QA activities; advise on policy/process improvements and ongoing regulatory alignment
Must-have skills
3+ years in QA, financial crime compliance, regulatory risk, or audit (ideally in law firm/financial institution)
Deep knowledge of AML/CTF, KYC, CDD, transaction monitoring, SARs
Proven QA design/implementation, control testing, remediation planning
Strong stakeholder engagement; ability to report to senior leadership; analytical/problem-solving capabilities
Nice-to-haves
Qualifications in AML/CTF, risk management, QA; ICA or similar certifications
Experience liaising with regulators (e.g., SRA)
Familiarity with AI/emerging tech applications in compliance
Familiarity with UK regulatory expectations and internal audit concepts
Location & work type: Locatio
Full Description
Primary objectives
The Senior Quality Assurance Adviser is tasked with designing, implementing, and enhancing the firm's quality assurance framework to uphold the highest standards of financial crime prevention and compliance. Reporting to the Head of Financial Crime Advisory, this role provides independent, robust oversight of critical compliance functions, such as transaction monitoring, Know Your Client (KYC) processes, and customer due diligence reviews. The candidate will develop and execute control testing programs to evaluate the effectiveness of financial crime controls, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, internal policies, and industry standards. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, the role strengthens governance frameworks, identifies risks, and delivers actionable insights to mitigate financial crime exposure within the firm's legal operations.
Key responsibilities
Design, implement, and maintain a robust quality assurance framework for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) compliance, supporting the firm's obligations under applicable Financial Crime laws and regulations.
Conduct independent reviews and control testing of Financial Crime compliance processes-such as transaction monitoring, KYC assessments, and customer due diligence-to identify deficiencies, evaluate control effectiveness, and drive corrective actions.
Analyse QA results to deliver detailed, actionable insights and recommendations to the Head of Financial Crime Advisory, addressing compliance risks, control gaps, and potential enhancements.
Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and quality metrics to monitor the firm's Financial Crime compliance performance, ensuring clarity and accountability within governance structures.
Collaborate with internal teams to address weaknesses uncovered through QA reviews via targeted training, policy refinements, or process improvements.
Manage the documentation and reporting of QA activities, maintaining thorough records to support audit readiness and regulatory or internal oversight requirements.
Keep informed of evolving financial crime regulations, and risks specific to the legal sector, adapting the QA framework to strengthen compliance and address emerging threats.
Assist the Head of Financial Crime Advisory in developing governance reports, risk assessments, and strategic initiatives to enhance the firm's financial crime control environment.
Comply with WHS obligations and responsibilities in accordance with the requirements for this role as set out on the firm intranet.
Qualifications, skills and experience
Educational Background
Bachelor's degree in Law, Business, Finance, Criminology, Risk Management, or a related discipline is preferred.
Postgraduate qualifications in Financial Crime Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering, Risk Management, or Quality Assurance would be advantageous.
Certifications
Professional certifications or training in AML/CTF (e.g., ICA), risk management, or quality assurance methodologies are advantageous.
Experience
3 years+ in quality assurance, financial crime compliance, regulatory risk, or audit roles, preferably within a law firm, financial institution, or other entity subject to the UK's AML/CTF regime.
Experience conducting independent compliance reviews, quality assurance audits, and control testing in an AML/CTF or risk environment.
Proven ability to assess AML/CTF risks, evaluate compliance frameworks, and drive quality improvement initiatives within a regulatory context.
Strong background in KYC, CDD, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting (SAR) processes.
Hands-on experience with QA methodologies, compliance control testing, and remediation planning, particularly in financial crime operations.
Strong stakeholder engagement skills, working effectively with legal, compliance, and operational teams to implement QA improvements.
Prior experience liaising with regulators such as the SRA is highly desirable.
An innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies.
Key Performance Indicators
Knowledge
In-depth understanding of AML/CTF compliance frameworks and UK regulatory expectations.
Strong working knowledge of KYC, CDD, transaction monitoring, and SMR requirements.
Familiarity with AML/CTF risk management principles, quality assurance methodologies, and process improvement frameworks.
Understanding of key financial crime threats, typologies, and industry trends.
Awareness of internal audit principles, operational risk management, and control effectiveness testing.
Skills
Expertise in designing and implementing QA programs for financial crime compliance functions.
Strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities, with the ability to interpret complex compliance data.
Ability to develop and execute QA testing plans that align with regulatory requirements and business needs.
Skilled in stakeholder engagement and collaboration, particularly across compliance, legal, and operational teams.
Strong verbal and written communication skills for reporting QA findings and recommendations to senior leadership.
Proficiency in using QA tools, risk assessment software, and data analytics platforms to track compliance trends.
Experience in developing and delivering training programs based on QA insights and compliance trends.
Abilities
Ability to identify weaknesses in AML/CTF processes and drive corrective actions through structured QA programs.
Capacity to engage, influence, and educate stakeholders on the importance of quality assurance in financial crime risk management.
Flexibility to adapt QA methodologies in response to evolving regulatory expectations and risk assessments.
Ability to work under tight deadlines and regulatory scrutiny, ensuring accurate and effective QA oversight.
Dedication to continuous improvement, ensuring compliance processes evolve with emerging financial crime risks.
Behaviours
Strong attention to detail to ensure consistency and accuracy in AML/CTF compliance monitoring.
Proactive approach to identifying and addressing quality control issues before they escalate into compliance failures.
Demonstrated integrity and ethical responsibility in handling sensitive compliance data and QA reporting.
Ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams to strengthen financial crime compliance efforts.
Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development, ensuring QA methodologies remain aligned with best practices.
Attributes
Strategic mindset with the ability to align QA initiatives with broader financial crime risk management objectives.
Resilience and adaptability to navigate regulatory changes and evolving business risks.
Ability to balance compliance enforcement with business efficiency, ensuring QA processes enhance operational effectiveness.
Strong leadership capabilities, inspiring a culture of quality, accountability, and compliance excellence.
Success Factors
Bringing my Best
Works with high levels of autonomy and self-direction on more strategic and complex issues
Leverages their experience to respond to stretch and challenge
Embraces challenges beyond their comfort zone
Creating Great Results
Creates high levels of stakeholder confidence in their advice and support
Considers firm strategy/context in how they approach their work
Goes beyond what is requested to identify ways to make a difference for stakeholders and the firm
Supporting and Developing others
Deliberately fosters team engagement and a collaborative culture
Seeks out diverse perspectives and encourages collaborative approaches to problem solving within and between teams
Fosters team engagement and enables team to deliver with the right support, processes and ways of working
Enhancing the firm
Makes a positive difference to the achievement of firm goals and strategy
Drives a culture of agility and continuous improvement within their team
Regularly raises new thinking in response to firm, market or legislative developments
