Quality Assurance Analyst - Financial Crime in City of London

The Quality Assurance Analyst is tasked with supporting the design, implementation, and enhancement of the firm's quality assurance framework to uphold the highest standards of financial crime prevention and compliance. Reporting to the Senior Quality Assurance Adviser, this role provides independent, robust oversight of critical compliance functions, such as transaction monitoring, Know Your Client (KYC) processes, and customer due diligence reviews. The candidate will develop and execute control testing programs to evaluate the effectiveness of financial crime controls, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, internal policies, and industry standards. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, the role strengthens governance frameworks, identifies risks, and delivers actionable insights to mitigate financial crime exposure within the firm's legal operations.

Key responsibilities

• Assist with the design, implementation, and maintenance of a robust quality assurance framework for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) compliance, supporting the firm's obligations under applicable Financial Crime laws and regulations.
• Conduct independent reviews and control testing of Financial Crime compliance processes—such as transaction monitoring, KYC assessments, and customer due diligence—to identify deficiencies, evaluate control effectiveness, and drive corrective actions.
• Analyse QA results to deliver detailed, actionable insights and recommendations to the Senior Quality Assurance Adviser, addressing compliance risks, control gaps, and potential enhancements.
• Assist the Senior Quality Assurance Adviser with establishing and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and quality metrics to monitor the firm's Financial Crime compliance performance, ensuring clarity and accountability within governance structures.
• Collaborate with internal teams to address weaknesses uncovered through QA reviews via targeted training, policy refinements, or process improvements.
• Keep informed of evolving financial crime regulations and risks specific to the legal sector, adapting the QA framework to strengthen compliance and address emerging threats.
• Comply with WHS obligations and responsibilities in accordance with the requirements for this role as set out on the firm intranet.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in law, Business, Finance, Criminology, Risk Management, or a related discipline is preferred. Postgraduate qualifications in Financial Crime Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering, Risk Management, or Quality Assurance would be advantageous.
• Certifications: Professional certifications or training in AML/CTF (e.g., ICA), risk management, or quality assurance methodologies are advantageous.
• Experience: 1-2 years in quality assurance, financial crime compliance, regulatory risk, or audit roles, preferably within a law firm, financial institution, or other entity subject to the UK's AML/CTF regime. Experience conducting independent compliance reviews, quality assurance audits, and control testing in an AML/CTF or risk environment. Background in KYC, CDD, and transaction monitoring. Knowledge of QA methodologies, compliance control testing, and remediation planning, particularly in financial crime operations. Strong stakeholder engagement skills, working effectively with legal, compliance, and operational teams to implement QA improvements. An innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies.

Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities, with the ability to interpret complex compliance data.
• Ability to execute QA testing plans that align with regulatory requirements and business needs.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement and collaboration, particularly across compliance, legal, and operational teams.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for reporting QA findings and recommendations to the Senior Quality Assurance Adviser.
• Proficiency in using QA tools, risk assessment software, and data analytics platforms to track compliance trends.

Abilities

• Ability to identify weaknesses in AML/CTF processes and drive corrective actions through structured QA programs.
• Capacity to engage, influence, and educate stakeholders on the importance of quality assurance in financial crime risk management.
• Flexibility to adapt QA methodologies in response to evolving regulatory expectations and risk assessments.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and regulatory scrutiny, ensuring accurate and effective QA oversight.
• Dedication to continuous improvement, ensuring compliance processes evolve with emerging financial crime risks.

Behaviours

• Strong attention to detail to ensure consistency and accuracy in AML/CTF compliance monitoring.
• Proactive approach to identifying and addressing quality control issues before they escalate into compliance failures.
• Demonstrated integrity and ethical responsibility in handling sensitive compliance data and QA reporting.
• Ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams to strengthen financial crime compliance efforts.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development, ensuring QA methodologies remain aligned with best practices.

Attributes

• Strategic mindset with the ability to align QA initiatives with broader financial crime risk management objectives.
• Resilience and adaptability to navigate regulatory changes and evolving business risks.
• Ability to balance compliance enforcement with business efficiency, ensuring QA processes enhance operational effectiveness.

Success Factors

• Works with high levels of autonomy and self-direction on more strategic and complex issues.
• Leverages their experience to respond to stretch and challenge.
• Embraces challenges beyond their comfort zone.

Creating Great Results

• Creates high levels of stakeholder confidence in their advice and support.
• Considers firm strategy/context in how they approach their work.
• Goes beyond what is requested to identify ways to make a difference for stakeholders and the firm.

Supporting and Developing others

• Deliberately fosters team engagement and a collaborative culture.
• Seeks out diverse perspectives and encourages collaborative approaches to problem solving within and between teams.
• Fosters team engagement and enables the team to deliver with the right support, processes, and ways of working.

Enhancing the firm

• Makes a positive difference to the achievement of firm goals and strategy.
• Drives a culture of agility and continuous improvement within their team.
• Regularly raises new thinking in response to firm, market, or legislative developments.