Overview
To assist in the provision of high-quality compliance governance and supervision. Reporting to the Managing Director, you will play an important role in ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and procedures. Implementing and maintaining the operation of effective systems and controls to mitigate business risks and to ensure compliance with FCA Regulation and the regulatory framework for ARs. Working with advisers and support teams on implementing effective processes and procedures, ensuring these are adhered to whilst maintaining a collegiate relationship with both advisers and support staff to foster a positive approach to compliance across the company. To document and update compliance procedures, processes and handbooks to provide guidance and effective reference and training resources. To assist in identifying T&C requirements and carrying out in-house one to one or workshop-based support and training.
Role and Responsibilities
Values - Understand and be able to articulate the values; behaving in a way that clearly demonstrates what these mean in terms of working with colleagues and when interacting with clients.
Compliance - To work in a compliant manner - This requires taking personal responsibility to stay up to date such that there is constant adherence to systems, policies, regulatory requirements and GDPR. This includes the completion of all mandatory training requirements. Any testing should be approached with a "pass first-time" mind-set.
Core Role and Responsibilities -
- Assisting the Board and SMT to implement and review strategic business plans for the compliance function in order to contribute to the overall compliant operations of the firm.
- Keeping abreast of Regulatory changes and implementing project plans to maintain adherence to best practice.
- Designing & presenting practical in-house training for regulatory developments or compliance hot topics.
- Providing compliance and regulatory guidance to advisers and support staff - especially with regard to complex compliance matters.
- Conducting and providing feedback to advisers and support teams on new business and ongoing review file checks to ensure suitability of advice, completion of servicing events and ensuring any remedial action required is completed.
- Liaising with Quality and Risk Managers to ensure accuracy of submissions and ensuring any omissions or remedial action required is completed within deadlines to prevent breaches.
- Monitoring quality and completion of ancillary client servicing events (e.g. fund switches, withdrawals, rebalances, top ups) and conducting checks to ensure accurate recording of events in OWS and IO.
- Providing in-house support and monitoring adherence to requirements for effective systems and controls to counter money laundering or financial crime risks.
- Assisting with compliance induction for new staff.
- Checking and maintaining records on financial promotions.
- Maintaining accurate, up to date and detailed compliance records and registers.
Competence/ Knowledge/ Skills required:
- Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning or equivalent qualification.
- Three-years relevant regulated financial services industry experience.
- Specific understanding and knowledge of relevant FCA rules and guidance including COBS, MCOB & SYSC.
- Strong understanding of compliance requirements for an AR Firm.
- Good understanding of other relevant legislation including that relating to financial crime and GDPR.
- IT competent with knowledge of MS Office Suite, Power BI and Intelligent Office an advantage.
- Analytical and organised individual who is keen to develop their career in Financial Services and has a desire to make compliance a valuable process that anticipates problems, protects the company and improves processes.
- A highly organised, competent individual with a positive attitude and enthusiastic nature.
- High personal standards to deliver quality compliance to maximise the performance of client facing staff
- Accountable and self-motivated with ability to work as part of a small team with strong organisational skills such as prioritisation and ability to work under pressure on a number of ongoing projects and to strict deadlines.
- Effective verbal and written communication showing balance of diplomacy and confidence to question and ability to work collegiately with support teams and advisers
- Must have practical experience of giving compliance advice and undertaking compliance monitoring
- Ability to use initiative, identify areas for improvement and propose projects to SMT and Board
- Confidentiality, thoroughness and attention to detail are key attributes
- Effective problem-solving approach to champion new methods and systems to improve quality and performance of client facing staff
- Ability to motivate other to meet compliance goals.
- Flexible and adaptable