AML/ CFT/ CFP in the UK: The Essentials

Course 1 of 6 in the StudyAML UK Series This course provides financial services professionals with a clear, practical introduction to the UK’s AML, CFT and Counter-Proliferation Financing framework. Learn how financial crime risks arise, what the law expects, and how strong judgement, escalation, and culture protect both firms and the wider financial system. Build the foundations. Apply risk-based judgement. Protect the integrity of UK financial services.

20 - 25 minutes

Certificate Included

United Kingdom

Description

This 20–25 minute self-paced course introduces financial professionals to the UK’s AML, CFT and Counter-Proliferation Financing regime. Participants will explore how money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing threaten the financial system, understand the key UK laws and authorities that shape compliance, and learn how the risk-based approach supports effective decision-making. Through practical scenarios and real-world examples, the course explains how good compliance works in practice — from recognising unusual activity and escalating concerns, to understanding FCA expectations, senior management accountability, and the importance of a strong culture of compliance. This course establishes the essential knowledge every UK-regulated professional needs to detect, prevent, and respond to financial crime.

What will you learn?

Module 1 — Understanding AML, CFT & Counter-Proliferation Financing
Learn the fundamentals of money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing in the UK context. Understand how these risks arise, why they matter, and the key concepts — including beneficial ownership, proceeds of crime, sanctions, and POCA offences — that underpin financial crime prevention.
Module 2 — The UK Legal & Regulatory Framework
Explore the UK’s core AML/CFT laws, including POCA, the Terrorism Act, and the Money Laundering Regulations. Understand the roles of the FCA, HM Treasury, UKFIU, NCA, and OPBAS, and how regulatory expectations translate into real-world obligations for firms and individuals.
Module 3 — The Risk-Based Approach & Culture of Compliance
Discover how the risk-based approach guides proportionate decision-making across client, product, delivery channel, and geographic risk. Learn why governance, meaningful management information, training, and culture — supported by SMCR accountability — are critical to effective compliance.
Module 4 — Compliance in Practice
See how AML controls operate day to day, from onboarding and monitoring to escalation and SAR reporting. Examine common FCA enforcement themes and learn what “good” looks like in practice — and what happens when systems, oversight, or culture break down.