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MLRO Certification

The MLRO Certification is a comprehensive training session focused on enhancing skills and knowledge related to Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) roles in the UK financial sector. It aims to equip attendees with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively fulfill MLRO responsibilities while fostering compliance, professional growth, and industry networking.
Format

Online
trainer led sessions

Starting date

March 21st - May 6th 

11am-2pm GMT+1

Duration

6 x 3 hour sessions

Price

Early Bird: $449 USD

$599 USD

WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO LEARN

Course Structure

Part 1: The Role of an MLRO - March 21st
I. Introduction
  • The role of an MLRO - overview of the role and expectations
  • Experience, skillsets and qualifications 
  • Regulatory appointment requirements

Part 2: Global Regulatory Landscape
I. Regulatory Landscape
  • Comparative overview of various global regulatory financial Crime regulators and rulebooks
  • UK Focused - FCA regulations related to Financial Crime
  • Recent updates and changes in regulatory requirements including case law and news articles for risk awareness in new and emerging risks
II. Regulatory Forecast
  • Anticipating future regulatory changes and trends in AML
  • Strategies for staying ahead of evolving compliance requirements
  • Industry experts providing insights into the regulatory landscape over the next few years

Part 3: First 90 days – upskilling in awareness of risks in your new role - March 25th
I. The Importance of Your First 90 Days
  • Essential steps for MLROs in their initial 90 days in the role
  • Building relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external
  • Developing a strategic plan for AML program risk understanding, awareness and key risks/enhancement within the first 90 days
    II. Focus on Senior Executive Interactions
    • Importance of fostering a culture of compliance from the top-down
    • Effective communication strategies for MLROs with senior executives
    • Case studies highlighting successful senior executive engagement in AML initiatives

    Part 4: AML Risk Assessment - March 25th
    I. Identifying AML Risks
    • Risk categories

    • Red flags and indicators of money laundering
    • Conducting risk assessments: tools and methodologies
    II. AML Risk Assessment Process
    • Steps for conducting an AML risk assessment
    • How to document and provision of templates
    • Gathering and analyzing relevant data.
    • Assessing risk levels and prioritizing risks.
    • Documenting findings and recommendations into the template and calculation of actual versus control mitigated residual risk

    Part 5: Financial Crime Control Processes – CDD and Transaction Monitoring - April 22nd
    I. Client File Reviews
    • Importance of thorough client file reviews in AML compliance
    • Developing effective client file review procedures.  
    • Case studies highlighting the impact of robust client file reviews on detecting and preventing money laundering activities
    • Break out session - Conducting client files reviews: Natural Person, Legal Person and Legal Arrangements


    II. Transaction Monitoring
    • Role of transaction monitoring in identifying suspicious activities
    • Choosing, Implementing and Calibrating transaction monitoring systems
    • Real-life examples showcasing the success of transaction monitoring in preventing financial crimes and Industry trends and emerging challenges in transaction monitoring
    • Break Out Session - Performing Transaction Monitoring Alert Reviews
    • Continuous improvement strategies for transaction monitoring

    Part 6: Reviewing your Risk Controls - April 29th
    This section provides a structured framework for MLROs to review and enhance manual and automated risk procedures and workflows.

    By following a systematic assessment framework and implementing improvements based on review findings, participants can strengthen their organization's risk management practices and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements- to gain valuable insights into optimizing their manual monitoring processes for better compliance outcomes.

    Section a: Manual Procedures
    I. Introduction to Manual Risk Procedures and Workflows
    • Define manual risk procedures and workflows
    • Importance of effective risk management in regulatory compliance
    • Overview of the compliance officer's role in reviewing manual processes

    II. Understanding Key Risk Procedures
    • Overview of manual risk procedures commonly used in compliance, key risk areas and associated procedures
    • Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in manual risk management

    III. Assessment Framework
    • Introduction to a structured assessment framework for reviewing manual risk procedures
    • Key performance indicators (KPIs) for evaluating effectiveness
    • Criteria for assessing adherence to regulatory requirements and internal policies
    IV. Review Process
    • Step-by-step guide to conducting a comprehensive review of manual risk procedures and workflows
    • Techniques for gathering relevant data and documentation
    • Tools and templates for organizing review findings
    V. Identifying Gaps and Areas for Improvement
    • Analysis of review findings to identify gaps or deficiencies in current practices
    • Group discussion on common challenges and shortcomings in manual risk procedures
    • Prioritization of areas for improvement based on risk severity and impact
    VI. Implementing Enhancements
    • Strategies for implementing enhancements to manual risk procedures and workflows
    • Collaboration with relevant stakeholders to address identified gaps
    • Consideration of technological solutions to streamline manual processes
    VII. Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
    • Importance of ongoing monitoring to ensure sustained effectiveness
      Establishment of performance metrics to track improvements over time
    • Integration of feedback loops for continuous process improvement

    Section b: Automaed Procedures

    I. Introduction to Automated Controls
    • Define automated controls and their role in compliance
    • Importance of automated controls in detecting and preventing compliance risks
    • Overview of the compliance officer's role in reviewing automated controls


    II. Understanding Automated Control Mechanisms
    • Types of automated controls commonly used in compliance
    • Explanation of control mechanisms and their functions
    • Identification of key control points and associated risks
    III. Assessment Framework
    • Introduction to a structured assessment framework for reviewing automated controls
    • Key performance indicators (KPIs) for evaluating control effectiveness
    • Criteria for assessing reliability, accuracy, and completeness of automated controls
    IV. Review Process
    • Step-by-step guide to conducting a comprehensive review of automated controls
    • Techniques for gathering relevant data and documentation
    • Tools and software for analyzing control performance and effectiveness
    V. Testing and Validation
    • Importance of testing and validation in assessing the reliability of automated controls
    • Methods for conducting test scenarios and simulations
    • Validation of control outputs against expected results
    VII. Identifying Weaknesses and Areas for Improvement
    • Analysis of review findings to identify weaknesses or deficiencies in automated controls
    • Group discussion on common challenges and limitations in automated control mechanisms
    • Prioritization of areas for improvement based on risk severity and impact
    VII. Enhancement Strategies
    • Strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of automated controls
    • Collaboration with IT and technology teams to implement control improvements
    • Consideration of regulatory requirements and industry best practices in control enhancements
    VIII. Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
    • Importance of ongoing monitoring to ensure sustained effectiveness of automated controls
    • Establishment of performance metrics to track control performance over time
    • Integration of feedback loops for continuous control improvement
    Section c: Assessing Your Technology Needs 
    I. Identifying Right Technology Needs
    • Reviewing and Assessing the financial crime technology requirements for your business including name screening and transaction monitoring
    • Practical considerations in selecting and implementing technology solutions for effective anti-money laundering measures
    • Integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in transaction monitoring
    • Case studies demonstrating successful outcomes from utilizing cutting-edge technology in combating financial crimes

    Part 7: Financial Crime Investigations, Assurance, Inspections and Reporting - May 6th
    I. Ongoing Reporting
    • Ensuring ongoing compliance with FCA regulations
    • Reporting requirements and mechanisms for MLROs
    • Case studies of compliant organizations 
    II. Suspicious transaction assessment and FIU reporting
    • Advanced techniques for assessing suspicious transactions
    • Criteria for escalating transactions to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)
    • Collaboration with the FIU in reporting and investigating suspicious activities
    • Understanding the role of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)
    • Navigating the process of reporting suspicious transactions to the FIU
    • Collaborative approaches between MLROs and FIUs in conducting investigations - Enhancing collaboration between MLROs, FIUs, and law enforcement
    • Navigating cross-border implications in FIU reporting and investigations
    • Incorporating lessons learned from complex and high-profile cases into AML programs
    III. Annual AML Report
    • Crafting comprehensive and accurate annual reports for regulatory authorities
    • Highlighting key metrics and success stories in annual reports
    • Addressing challenges and common pitfalls in annual reporting processes
    • Integrating FIU reporting outcomes into comprehensive annual reports
    • Demonstrating the impact of FIU collaboration on AML program effectiveness
    • Common challenges and best practices in annual reporting with a focus on FIU-related activities
    IV. Dealing with Audits and Regulatory Inspections
    • Preparing for regulatory audits and inspections
    • Best practices in responding to audit findings
    • Case studies illustrating successful outcomes from regulatory inspections

    Part 8: MLRO – additional points to consider - May 6th
    I. Crisis Management and Communication
    • Developing a crisis management plan for AML incidents
    • Effective communication strategies during crises
    • Case studies of organizations successfully managing and recovering from AML-related crises
    II. Ongoing training and upskilling
    • Specialized training on FIU reporting and investigation techniques
    • Opportunities for ongoing education specific to FIU-related challenges
    • Strategies for maintaining expertise in evolving FIU procedures and technologies
    • Dedicated networking sessions for FIU professionals
    • Forums for sharing insights and experiences in FIU reporting and investigations
    III. Q&A Session
    • Open forum for addressing any remaining questions from participants
    • Potential panel discussion featuring key insights and reflections from the Certification

    IV. Closing Remarks
    • Summary of the comprehensive certification coverage
    • Recap of the expanded focus of MLRO responsibilities
    • Encouragement for continued collaboration and vigilance in AML efforts
    • Expressing appreciation to participants, speakers, and sponsors for their contributions

    Post Certification
    I. Extended Networking Opportunities
    • Tailored networking sessions based on specific topics covered during the Certification
    • Continued engagement for professionals to connect, collaborate, and share experiences beyond the event eg whats app group, telegram group, roundtables, Linkedin Group course alumni

    II. Technology and Innovation Showcase
    • Demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies in AML, including blockchain and advanced analytics
    • Exploring innovation trends and their potential impact on AML practices
    • Interactive sessions for hands-on experience with the latest AML tools and solutions

    Speakers

    Oonagh van den Berg

    CEO & Founder of RAW Compliance
    About

    Oonagh van den Berg is an award winning compliance officer with over 20 years’ experience in financial services. She is one of the leading voices and trainers globally in compliance risk management and has built and led various compliance risk framework developments and teams across the industry for a diverse range of financial entities, including traditional banks, Fintechs, and Crypto firms. She is an advocate for ethical compliance leadership and framework development, with increased automation including AI and Machine Learning integration.