FCA Compliance Essentials

This course delves into the critical aspects of best execution and how to achieve it effectively. You will gain a solid grounding in order execution policies and client information, ensuring you are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of financial markets. The curriculum also covers the special provisions and significant changes introduced by MiFID II, along with the essential monitoring rules.

This course is tailored for members of firms not yet subject to the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR), which has been in effect since March 7, 2016, for banks, building societies, credit unions, and investment firms regulated by both the PRA and FCA. It offers a comprehensive understanding of the Approved Persons Regime and details the transition to SM&CR for firms currently regulated solely by the FCA, which was scheduled for 2019 (or December 2018 for insurers).

This course focuses on the critical role of risk assessment in financial institutions' Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) efforts. Learn how to conduct thorough risk assessments to allocate resources optimally and implement effective controls, policies, and procedures. By the end of this course, you will be equipped to manage and mitigate identified risks, ensuring your institution's compliance and security.

This course outlines the critical need for combating money laundering risks and other financial crimes. It emphasizes the importance of financial institutions being able to respond to threats contextually, balancing efficiency and cost needs with compliance obligations. By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage and mitigate financial crime risks while maintaining regulatory compliance.

This course focuses on the central role of the risk-based approach (RBA) in effectively implementing the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations. Participants will learn how supervisors, financial institutions, and intermediaries can identify, assess, and understand the risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing. The course will also cover how to implement the most appropriate mitigation measures to address these risks.

Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) are critical elements for effectively managing risks posed by potential clients. This course provides an introduction to KYC and CDD procedures, essential tools in assessing customer risk and complying with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CFT) laws. Learn how to protect your organisation against criminals, terrorists, and Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) who may present higher risks, and understand the importance of regularly reassessing existing customers to identify any dubious actions.

A key concern for financial institutions is the risk of unknowingly becoming complicit in money laundering, where illegitimate money is funnelled into legitimate institutions. This course explores how financial institutions can mitigate such risks by strengthening their internal control systems. Learn how to effectively implement Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) requirements as part of comprehensive Anti-Money Laundering (AML) strategies, ensuring your organisation remains vigilant and compliant.

This course outlines the basic Customer Due Diligence (CDD) procedures required to assess customer risk and comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CFT) laws. Effective CDD involves ongoing monitoring of customers’ business activities, identifying, and mitigating the AML/CFT risks that a business relationship may pose to a regulated entity.

This course provides a brief overview of the Suspicious Transactions/Activity Reporting process within a regulated financial services firm. Learn the essential steps and procedures for identifying, documenting, and reporting suspicious activities to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and protect your organisation from financial crime.

This course provides an understanding of the regulatory drivers and priorities essential for operational resilience. It explores the factors necessary to build and embed an inclusive operational resilience framework, enabling you to recognize common risks and disruptors to operational stability. Additionally, the course covers appropriate governance models to ensure robust and resilient operations.

This course provides an overview of the individual Conduct Rules introduced by the FCA and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), the UK's financial services regulators. These rules, which came into effect progressively between 2016 and 2021, are designed to ensure high standards of conduct within the financial services industry.

This course explains the role of the FCA in the financial services sector and its position within the overall UK economy. We examine the structure of the regulator and how it is designed to support its allocated objectives, providing a comprehensive understanding of the FCA's impact and functions.

This course examines the key rules and requirements for issuing compliant financial promotions. It also covers how to maintain appropriate oversight and control of your financial promotion process. Gain the knowledge and skills needed to ensure your financial promotions meet regulatory standards and effectively manage your promotional activities.

In July 2022, the FCA published a policy statement with final rules on its Consumer Duty initiative. This course covers the new principle, cross-cutting rules, and four outcomes for retail consumers introduced by the initiative. Learn how the Consumer Duty ensures that consumers receive clear communications, products and services that meet their needs and offer fair value, and the customer support they need, when they need it.

Market abuse can occur when financial market investors are unreasonably disadvantaged, directly or indirectly, by others who have used non-public information. This course explores the various forms of market abuse, the regulatory framework designed to prevent it, and the measures that can be taken to protect market integrity. Gain insights into identifying and mitigating market abuse to ensure fair and transparent financial markets.

Fraud is typically defined by domestic regulators as occurring within a specific industry and the broader legal framework of a given country. This course explores the nature of fraud and its close relationship with unethical behaviour, which may be prohibited by industry or law firm associations, accounting organisations, or other professional groups. Gain insights into the regulatory definitions and the measures taken to prevent and address fraud and unethical practices within various industries.

Prudential regulation is essential for firms operating within the financial services sector, serving as a cornerstone of the ethical and moral framework that supports stable and healthy financial systems. A lack of prudence in financial decision-making can lead to significant economic disruptions. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the prudential standards that govern financial services firms in the UK. Learn how to exercise caution in financial decisions and resource allocation to minimize unnecessary risks. Understand the importance of prudence in accounting, including avoiding the overstatement of assets and profits and the understatement of losses in financial reports.

This course provides an introductory overview for individuals encountering Client Money and Client Assets for the first time. It is also suitable for those working in firms that do not hold or control client money or safe custody assets as part of their business. Gain a foundational understanding of the key concepts and regulatory requirements related to Client Money and Client Assets.