Financial Crime Prevention Associate

Overview

Department: Financial Crime Prevention, EMEA

Full-time, permanent

Company Profile

StoneX is an institutional-grade financial services network that connects companies, organisations, and investors to the global markets ecosystem through a unique blend of digital platforms, end-to-end clearing and execution services, high-touch service, and deep expertise.

We provide access to 36 derivatives exchanges, 175 foreign exchange markets, nearly every global securities marketplace and a number of bi-lateral liquidity venues. We deliver this access with support throughout the entire lifecycle of a trade – from consulting and “boots-on-the-ground” intelligence to best execution, to post-trade clearing, custody, and settlement. In these ways, StoneX enables clients to use the global markets ecosystem to achieve their business goals through one trusted partner.

StoneX currently serves more than 30,000 commercial, institutional and payments clients, and more than 295,000 retail clients across more than 140 countries. Our clients use our institutional-grade digital platforms, our high-touch service, and our market intelligence to pursue trading opportunities, make investments efficiently, manage their market risks, and improve their business performance. Our relentless focus on helping them accomplish these objectives has enabled us to build deeply valued, long-term relationships based on guidance, integrity, transparency, and trust.

SFL is a solo-regulated firm, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (“SMCR”), SFL is an Enhanced Firm.

Responsibilities

Job purpose

To support the EMEA Financial Crime Oversight, Assurance & Testing (OAT) function through the execution of assurance reviews, control testing and remediation validation activities, helping to assess the effectiveness of Financial Crime controls across the EMEA region.

The role will perform testing, evidence gathering, analysis and documentation activities in accordance with approved methodologies and standards, contributing to the delivery of a consistent and effective assurance programme.

General Duties

• Execute assurance reviews, thematic reviews and control testing activities in accordance with approved OAT methodologies and assurance standards.
• Perform walkthroughs, sample testing, evidence gathering and documentation activities to support assurance engagements across the EMEA Financial Crime framework.
• Prepare and maintain high-quality working papers, testing records and supporting documentation to ensure a clear and auditable review trail.
• Identify potential control weaknesses, exceptions and findings, escalating matters appropriately to senior team members.
• Assist in the validation of remediation actions arising from assurance reviews, regulatory findings, Internal Audit findings and other control deficiencies.
• Support the preparation of assurance reports, management information, thematic reviews and governance materials.
• Assist in maintaining assurance testing libraries, working paper templates, evidence standards and review toolkits.
• Support the delivery of the Annual Risk-Based Assurance & Testing Plan through completion of assigned testing and review activities.
• Assist with information requests, data gathering exercises, deep-dive reviews and thematic assessments.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Operations, Compliance, Risk, Technology, Internal Audit and other stakeholders.
• Maintain awareness of relevant regulatory developments, industry guidance and emerging financial crime risks.
• Support regulatory examinations, Internal Audit reviews and other assurance activities by providing information and documentation as requested.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of OAT procedures, processes and documentation.
• Undertake any other duties and responsibilities reasonably required by management from time to time.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

• Understanding of AML, CTF, sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption principles and the application of a risk-based approach to financial crime prevention.
• Desired previous experience in AML, Compliance, Financial Crime Prevention, Quality Assurance, Oversight, Risk Management or Control Testing functions within a regulated financial services environment.
• Ideally 1-3 years of experience in AML, Financial Crime Compliance, Quality Assurance, Assurance, Risk or related control functions.
• Understanding of customer due diligence, ongoing monitoring, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, periodic reviews and financial crime control frameworks.
• Knowledge of UK and EU AML regulatory requirements, including FCA expectations, Money Laundering Regulations, JMLSG guidance, FATF standards and relevant EU AML frameworks.
• Understanding of assurance, quality assurance, control testing, findings management, remediation validation and risk-based monitoring principles would be advantageous.

Qualification and Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Law, or other appropriate discipline.
• Strong and efficient decision-making skills with the ability to use judgement and operate autonomously when required.
• Effective planning, organisational and time management skills.
• Relationship building and communications skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management with the ability to see the bigger picture and deal effectively with competing priorities.
• Ability to proactively identify and analyse problems and design effective solutions.
• Ability to lead and manage people and achieve results through others.
• Able to use good judgement and experience to articulate and document decision making rationale.
• Additional language skills would be an advantage in our global business environment.