Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Financial Crimes Specialist

💰 $75,000 - $125,000

FinanceComplianceRisk ManagementLegalBanking

🎯 Role Definition

We're looking for a detail-oriented and driven Financial Crimes Specialist to join our growing team. In this pivotal role, you will be at the forefront of protecting our firm and the financial system from illicit activities. You will serve as a subject matter expert, responsible for conducting complex investigations, monitoring transactions for suspicious activity, and ensuring our operations comply with Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), USA PATRIOT Act, and OFAC regulations. This is an exciting opportunity for a professional with a passion for investigation and a strong ethical compass to make a significant impact in a fast-paced environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Compliance Analyst
  • AML/KYC Analyst
  • Fraud Investigator
  • Bank Operations Specialist (with compliance focus)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Financial Crimes Specialist / Team Lead
  • Financial Crimes Compliance Manager
  • AML Compliance Officer (MLRO)
  • Director of Financial Crimes Risk Management

Lateral Moves:

  • Risk Analyst / Manager
  • Internal Auditor
  • Data Analyst (Compliance/Risk)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct in-depth, end-to-end investigations into complex financial activities, including potential money laundering, terrorist financing, and fraud, by analyzing transaction data, customer profiles, and open-source intelligence.
  • Monitor, identify, and rigorously analyze transactional alerts generated by the firm's anti-money laundering (AML) systems to detect and escalate unusual or suspicious patterns.
  • Perform comprehensive Know Your Customer (KYC), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) reviews on high-risk customers, politically exposed persons (PEPs), and complex corporate structures.
  • Draft, review, and file accurate, detailed, and timely Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and other regulatory bodies as required.
  • Manage and resolve real-time sanctions screening alerts, conducting thorough analysis of potential matches to ensure strict compliance with OFAC, UN, and other global sanctions lists.
  • Maintain and demonstrate a deep, current understanding of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), USA PATRIOT Act, OFAC regulations, and other relevant anti-financial crime laws and guidance.
  • Assist in the development, implementation, and continuous enhancement of the firm's financial crimes compliance policies, procedures, and internal control frameworks.
  • Conduct periodic risk assessments of products, services, customers, and geographic locations to identify, measure, and mitigate potential financial crime vulnerabilities.
  • Prepare detailed, well-documented investigative reports and case files that clearly articulate the investigation's lifecycle, from alert generation to final disposition and rationale.
  • Collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders, including legal, audit, and front-line business units, to provide expert guidance on financial crime risks and compliance requirements.
  • Respond to 314(a) and 314(b) requests, law enforcement inquiries, subpoenas, and other legal requests for information in a timely, confidential, and compliant manner.
  • Participate actively in the tuning, testing, and validation of AML and fraud detection systems to ensure their ongoing effectiveness and proper calibration.
  • Develop and deliver targeted financial crimes training programs for new hires and existing employees across various departments to foster a strong culture of compliance.
  • Stay abreast of emerging financial crime typologies, industry best practices, and evolving regulatory landscapes to ensure the firm's compliance program remains proactive and effective.
  • Utilize various third-party databases and public records (e.g., LexisNexis, World-Check, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance) to enrich investigations and customer due diligence profiles.
  • Analyze and recommend disposition for customer accounts and relationships that exhibit high-risk characteristics or violate the firm's established risk appetite.
  • Contribute to the preparation of metrics, key risk indicators (KRIs), and presentation materials for regulatory examinations, internal audits, and senior management reporting.
  • Perform targeted look-back reviews and historical transaction analysis as required by regulatory findings or complex internal investigations.
  • Provide subject matter expertise on financial crime risks during the design and launch phases of new products, services, and market expansions.
  • Mentor and provide constructive guidance to junior analysts, reviewing case work to ensure quality, consistency, and adherence to procedural standards.
  • Evaluate and recommend new technologies and analytical tools to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of financial crime detection and investigation processes.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to financial crime trends and typologies.
  • Contribute to the organization's financial crime data strategy and technology roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units (e.g., product, operations) to translate financial crime compliance needs into technical and procedural requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies for projects related to compliance technology and system enhancements.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Deep proficiency in AML/BSA regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, FinCEN guidance, and the pillars of an effective AML program.
  • Hands-on experience with transaction monitoring systems (e.g., Actimize, Mantas, Verafin) and case management tools.
  • Expert knowledge of sanctions screening protocols, OFAC regulations, and global sanctions regimes.
  • Strong investigative and open-source intelligence (OSINT) research skills using tools like LexisNexis, World-Check, and other public record databases.
  • Proven experience in drafting, writing, and filing high-quality Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data manipulation, pivot tables, and reporting.
  • Strong familiarity with various financial products and payment systems (e.g., ACH, FedWire, SWIFT, cryptocurrency).
  • Demonstrable ability to perform complex KYC/CDD/EDD on high-risk individuals and complex legal entity structures.
  • A solid understanding of data analysis and the ability to query data using SQL is a strong plus.
  • Professional certification such as CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist), CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner), or CGSS (Certified Global Sanctions Specialist) is highly desirable.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with an ability to see the bigger picture.
  • Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and concisely to various audiences.
  • Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
  • Unquestionable integrity, professionalism, and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
  • Excellent organizational and time-management skills to effectively prioritize and manage a demanding caseload.
  • A proactive and independent worker who also functions as a collaborative and supportive team member.
  • Sound judgment and decision-making capabilities, especially when dealing with ambiguous situations or tight deadlines.
  • An inquisitive mindset and a genuine passion for investigation and solving complex puzzles.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree (e.g., MBA, JD, MS)
  • Relevant professional certifications (CAMS, CFE, CGSS).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Finance / Economics
  • Criminal Justice / Criminology
  • Business Administration
  • Law / Pre-Law
  • International Affairs

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-7 years of direct experience in a financial crimes compliance role, such as AML investigations, transaction monitoring, KYC/EDD, or sanctions screening within a financial institution.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a fast-paced fintech, crypto, or banking environment.
  • Prior experience interacting with regulators, auditors, or law enforcement.
  • Proven track record of leading complex investigations from inception to conclusion.
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