Financial Crime Consulting

See the whole control environment

A firm can have detailed procedures and capable systems yet still struggle to explain who owns a risk, how decisions are escalated or whether information reaches the people who need it. A broad financial crime consulting discussion starts with the business: its products, customers, channels, operating model, jurisdictions and risk appetite. It then considers whether oversight and day-to-day practice fit that context.

Depending on the question, the discussion may span money laundering, fraud, sanctions exposure, bribery and corruption, or other financial crime concerns. The focus is on the connections between them: how risk assessment informs governance; how responsibilities, training and escalation work; and whether data, monitoring and technology support the intended controls. The Financial Action Task Force sets international standards for countries to implement through measures adapted to their circumstances. In the UK, FCA Handbook SYSC 6.3.1 requires relevant firms to maintain systems and controls to identify, assess, monitor and manage money laundering risk proportionately to their activities. Neither framework makes a generic checklist a substitute for understanding the firm and applicable rules.

From question to useful decision

An initial conversation can clarify the business problem, the decision that needs support, the material available and the jurisdictions involved. If a review is appropriate, its boundaries and outputs are agreed before work begins. Relevant inputs might include risk assessments, governance papers, policies, management information, process descriptions or technology context, subject to access and agreed handling.

A focused piece of advisory work could help leadership understand where accountability or evidence is unclear, identify questions for deeper specialist review, or compare stated control design with operational practice. Any observations are tied to the agreed evidence and scope; they do not amount to regulatory approval, an audit opinion or a guarantee of compliance. For international enquiries, applicable local requirements and the engagement scope are agreed for the specific discussion.

Financial crime advisory and AML consulting

Financial crime consulting connects risk, governance, people and technology. AML consulting focuses on money laundering controls such as customer due diligence, transaction monitoring and AML systems. Both begin with the business question and the decision it needs to inform.

Clear boundaries

Barritt Consulting advises MLROs, compliance leaders, risk teams and boards on how financial crime arrangements work together. Investigation, legal representation and decisions reserved to accountable officers remain with the relevant specialists and the firm.