Client Onboarding Associate

This is a Maternity Leave Cover (FTC)

Aim and purpose of the role: 

●       Providing crucial support to Investment Managers / Account Executives (Associates) and managing the end-to-end operational client onboarding process, including but not limited to Appropriateness, Client Categorisation, Customer Due Diligence, Enhanced Due Diligence, Ongoing Due Diligence, KYC updates, Customer Screening and Customer Risk Assessments.

●       Ensuring compliance with regulatory/company’s policies requirements and maintaining the integrity of client documentation.

●       Liaising closely with internal teams and third parties to ensure clients are onboarded efficiently whilst following Anti Money Laundering (AML) and customer risk assessment procedures.

●       Providing support on process improvement initiatives that contribute to efficiency and timeliness of key operational processes.

Duties:

●       Ensuring that for all new customer accounts and any repapered accounts: the correct application form has been correctly completed; the correct supporting documentation has been provided; all the relevant KYC information has been gathered; the customers identity and address has been verified in compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) law, regulation and guidance and sufficient due diligence checks are carried out, including Customer Screening and Customer Risk Assessment.

●       Overseeing and conducting Appropriateness test assessments for Execution Only (EO) customers who wish to invest in ‘complex’ investment products.

●       Overseeing Client Categorisation requests to ensure compliance with the Handbook Rules.

●       Conducting due diligence on third party authorities to a customer account, other third parties as required by policies and procedures on sponsorships and donations, third party intermediaries, procurement, agent as client relationships and the recipients of any approved third party payment requests.

●       Answering ad-hoc Client Onboarding queries from Investment Managers/their assistants and providing ongoing advice, guidance and training for Investment Managers/their assistants.

●       Conducting AML based file reviews and providing feedback and guidance to Investment Managers as required.

●       Overseeing and managing all documentation and policies, procedures and processes relating to Client Onboarding.

●       Escalating any potential risks identified to the Head of First Line Compliance.

●       Collating management information (MI) for Management and/or Board meetings.

●       Keeping up to date on changes and developments within the industry.

●       Ensuring compliance with the letter, spirit and expectations of applicable legal and regulatory requirements at all times (e.g. FCA, Money Laundering, Data Protection), ensure conformance with Walker Crips best practice with regard to conduct, culture and other general business compliance control procedures.

●       Taking on any role or duty, within reasonable boundaries, that the Head of First Line Compliance deems necessary.

Other Requirements:

Requirements & Experience:

●       Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of education, knowledge and experience is required.

●       2+ years’ relevant and related experience in financial services industry specialising in client onboarding or client services is desirable.

●       Awareness of AML / KYC regulations and FATCA / US Tax Reporting (W8-BEN) is desirable.

●       Ability to plan, organise and prioritise workload and work effectively under pressure.

●       Experience within private customer portfolio management is desirable.

●       Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

●       Seek opportunities and works collaboratively with others to drive improvement.

Person Specification:

●       Attention to detail and strong focus on accuracy of information.

●       Proactive, honest and self-disciplined.

●       Effective written and verbal communication skills.

●       Confident in using your own initiative as well as working from the instructions of others.

●       A quick learner when taking onboard new processes and dealing with / interpreting detailed information

●       Knowledge of using software such as word processing and spreadsheets for example, Word, Excel, Google Docs, Google Sheets.