How can Sophie Grace Assist you?

Here’s some examples where we can assist your company:

• Developing an AML/CTF Compliance Program;
• Updating your existing AML/CTF Compliance Program;
• Identification and analysis of money laundering and terrorism financing risks;
• Processes for monitoring and reporting transactions;
• Ongoing customer due diligence and enhanced customer due diligence procedures; and/or
• Know Your Customer procedures – collection and verification of information.

 

With a long list of obligations, it can be a daunting task ensuring your business is compliant with the AML/CTF requirements. This is where Sophie Grace can assist you. We can help you with many aspects of compliance so you can ensure you are meeting your obligations.

 

Risk Assessment and Management

 

Assessing the ML/TF risks which impact your business and development measures to address these risks is a key obligation for all reporting entities. Reporting entities must:

1. Identify the risks facing their business;
2. Assess and measure these risks;
3. Apply controls to effectively manage and mitigate the risks identified;
4. Monitor and review the effectiveness of controls.

 

A risk assessment should include an assessment of:

• customers;
• products and services;
• business practices and delivery methods;
• the countries and jurisdictions a reporting entity deals with.

 

Customer Due Diligence Requirements

AUSTRAC is responsible for overseeing all financial service providers who are considered reporting entities under the AML/CTF Act and this includes ensuring all entities have in place procedures to identify and verify their customers.

Identification and verification of your customers is essential in order to:

• determine the money laundering and terrorism financing risks posed by each customer;
• determine whether to proceed to onboard the customer; and
• assess the level of future monitoring which may be required.

 

Initial Client Onboarding Requirements (KYC)

A variety of information needs to be collected from the customer, depending on the customer type. This process is often referred to as Know Your Client (“KYC”).

Reporting entities must collect information from all new customers.  These are broken down according to their category and have tailored requirements:

• individuals;
• sole traders;
• companies;
• partnerships;
• trusts;
• associations (incorporated and unincorporated);
• registered cooperatives; and
• government bodies.

 

Reporting entities are also required to verify the information collected. This process is intended to ensure the information provided is confirmed by the reporting entity as being accurate. The AML/CTF contains safe harbor provisions which include verifying the information collected against certified copies of a primary photographic, non photographic or secondary document.

 

Ongoing Client Monitoring

The AML/CTF Act also requires the conduct of Ongoing Customer Due Diligence (“OCDD“) – that is, regular monitoring of customers and documenting what triggers you have to require further or updated identification from your clients.

Sophie Grace is able to provide ongoing compliance support to Reporting Entities in order to ensure your AML/CTF obligations are met.  If you would like further information or assistance, please contact Sophie Grace directly.