Compliance Assistant at Hogan Lovells

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Client Research:

• Conduct a degree of personal research from public sources including:
• Familiarisation with a wide array of potential sources such as company registries, stock exchange websites, financial and legal regulators' websites, company search providers and external databases.
• Liaise with legal staff, support staff and research teams to obtain any outstanding CDD information.
• Liaise with Hogan Lovells support departments, notably the Finance, Research, Conflicts and also Personal Assistants.
• Where appropriate and where asked to, liaise directly with the firm's clients regarding CDD requirements.
• Assist those conducting CDD on new clients when required.
• Conduct risk rating reviews on clients taking into account the information gathered during the CDD process including research relating to ongoing investigations (adverse press) against certain clients and determining whether a risk level of a client may be lowered or should be raised.
• Utilize external subscription databases to screen existing clients, their directors and shareholders in order to identify PEPs, influential persons, presence on Sanctions lists, criminal activity and adverse press. Escalate these issues where appropriate.
• Review adverse press generated on the firm’s existing clients. Discount false positive hits or escalate serious hits to the firm’s General Counsel’s Office and the relevant fee earner.
• Attend to either discount or escalate ASM hits on existing clients.

Reports and Database Administration:

• Review the CDD held on existing clients of the firm by updating CDD held for clients registered since the implementation of the UK Money Laundering Regulations.
• Ensure that CDD is updated to the appropriate standard, including an enhanced level of due diligence where required.
• Document the evidence obtained during the CDD process in a clear and concise manner.
• Where it becomes clear when conducting Ongoing Monitoring or CDD that certain details of the client have changed since it has been registered as a new client, such as the client’s registered name, the parent group or the registered address, take appropriate action to update this on the 3E client database and communicate these changes to the respective stakeholders.
• Assist in maintaining the firm's PEP databases.

Advisory and Projects:

• Provide advice and guidance to partners, fee-earners and support staff in relation to the requirements of Compliance legislation and the interpretation and application of the firm's AML/CDD policy.
• Participate in administrative projects under the supervision of more senior Compliance Officers, specifically relating to Ongoing Monitoring.

REQUIREMENTS PROFILE:

Education:

• Grade 12 or equivalent (NQF 4) - Required
• BCom, LLB, BA equivalent (at least in final year of studies) (NQF 7/8) – Required

Experience:

• Minimum 1 years’  experience in Compliance/AML working experience role at Operational level - Required
• Minimum 1 years’ experience in a legal or shared services environment at Operational level - Required
• Minimum 6 months Database use experience at Operational level - Recommended

System Skills:

• Microsoft Office - Intermediate (Required)

Mental & Environmental / Legal Requirements:

• Must be able to handle pressure, setbacks and a high level of stress
• Must be able to communicate proficiently with global stakeholders, including colleagues based in international offices
• Must be able to work to deadlines
• Must be able to maintain strict adherence to confidentiality policies
• Must have clear criminal and credit records

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of a centralized/ shared services environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong organisational, administrative and time management skills
• Commercial awareness