Richard, Managing Director of AMLCC, is both a professional regulated under the anti-money laundering regulations and a leading authority on anti-money laundering compliance, risk management and education.
Since 2007 when AML regulation for accountants was introduced in the UK, as both a chartered accountant and an insolvency practitioner, Richard has seen first-hand the challenges of implementing effective AML processes. Working with accountancy regulators, Richard used his unique professional insights to create AMLCC in 2008.
Bill Bewes, IFA Head of AML & Compliance
David Erichsen, IFA AML Reviewer
Topic: What to expect from an AML review
Session time: 12:05pm - 1:05pm
This is the first IFA AML Conference and the purpose is to provide AML training for IFA members and improve their understanding of the regulations and their role in combating economic crime. Delegates will gain valuable insights from experts about AML regulatory updates and how best practice can protect your business from being misused for the purposes of criminal activity at our inaugural AML Conference online.
Accountants have a statutory obligation to make sure they are fully compliant with the Money Laundering Regulations. We are recognised by HM Treasury to regulate our members for the purposes of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 and 2019.
As reviewers, it is our role to engage with our members, to both assess their firm’s compliance and understanding. Our assessments are instructional, educational, and informative.
Our aim is to ascertain what amendments (if any) a firm requires in order to work safely within the parameters of the MLR. Where are any gaps in practical application or understanding of the regulations, we are charged with addressing any of those shortfalls in an engaging and systematic way.
This session will cover:
- What is the purpose of a review?
- How are firms chosen for a review?
- How to work collaboratively with your reviewer?
- What to expect during the review?
- Should everything be in place before the review?
- How do I prepare myself for a review?
- What happens after the review?
About the speakers
Bill Bewes
Bill is the IFA Head of AML & Compliance.
He has been in his current role since December 2023. Prior to that date, he was the Compliance Manager, a position he held from December 2018.
His role entails heading a team of Compliance Officers and AML Reviewers, who are responsible for monitoring IFA member’s compliance with IFA regulations and relevant legislation including the Money Laundering Regulations.
David Erichsen
Working for the Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA) as a skilled Anti Money Laundering Reviewer, David’s role is to work closely with Accountancy firms and scrutinise how Anti Money Laundering / Terrorist Financing legislation is intrinsically linked to the working practices of the firm.
David guides firms through the legislative complexities of the AML Regulations 2017 in order to enable full compliance. David is a skilled investigator with 22 years as a police officer in both the Met and Northumbria Police.
Emma-Jayne Turner, UK Financial Intelligence Unit, National Crime Agency
Topic: Bringing SARS to Life
Session time: 1:45pm - 2:45pm
A short presentation for reporters providing an overview of the UKFIU and the SARs regime. This session offers a great introduction to the SARs regime for those new to AML compliance and is also an important refresher for those who have been in the role for a while.
This session will cover:
- Introduction to the SARs regime
- Overview of the UKFIU
- Key best practice guidance for the accounting sector
- Ongoing support available
- Q&A
About the speaker
Emma-Jayne manages the UKFIU’s Reporter Engagement Team.
The Reporter Engagement Team works with reporters, regulators and supervisors across all sect
ors to provide guidance and feedback designed to highlight the importance of the suspicious activity reporting regime and improve the quality of SARs submitted in the UK.
Emma-Jayne has a financial services background, having worked as a solicitor specialising in financial services and payments system regulation in New Zealand, and more recently as a programme manager in the UK charity sector specialising in financial education and professional development. Emma-Jayne has also recently completed a Masters in Economic Crime and Intelligence at the University of Portsmouth.
UK Financial Intelligence Unit
The UK Financial Intelligence Unit (UKFIU) is part of the National Crime Agency. The UKFIU has national responsibility for receiving, analysing and disseminating intelligence submitted through the Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) regime, to share with law enforcement agencies at home and internationally. The UKFIU sits at the heart of the regime, providing the gateway to reporters and a repository of data to inform law enforcement.
Ian Hornsey, IFA Director and Regional Ambassador
Topic: 'All too familiar' video and discussion
Session time: 2:45pm - 3:45pm
Alongside Tim, Ian will lead a session on AML - What would you do? A real life AML Case Study to help focus on your processes. Through the media of film, Ian and Tim will exam the fortunes of an ailing restaurant, the steps they take and the results of their decisions.
Following this there will then be the opportunity to discuss this in detail, ask questions and look into the issues of AML and how it affects our practices, businesses and us as accountants in general.
About the speaker
Ian is the National Chairman of the MAC Committee and is the IFA regional ambassador for Eastern England (formerly Essex). He is also a Director of the IFA.
Ian is the managing director of Devonports Accountants, a practice he began in 1994.
