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Money laundering is the generic term used to describe the process by which criminals disguise the original ownership and control of the proceeds of criminal conduct by making such proceeds appear to have derived from a legitimate source.
The processes by which criminally derived property may be laundered are extensive. Though criminal money may be successfully laundered without the assistance of the financial sector, the reality is that hundreds of billions of dollars of criminally derived money is laundered through financial institutions, annually. The nature of the services and products offered by the financial services industry (namely managing, controlling and possessing money and property belonging to others) means that it is vulnerable to abuse by money launderers.
There is considerable variation within and across pay scales for compliance and compliance related roles. Salaries tend to focus on the skill sets required for a role, rather than being defined by the job title. Therefore, no two compliance officer roles are likely to be established on the same pay scale.
It is important for any AML professional to recognise, develop and maintain a risk-based and comprehensive anti money laundering/counter terrorist financing framework to mitigate and prevent the threat.
The availability of funding varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Funding is available in some jurisdictions for programmes of study leading to ICA qualifications. Discover what funding is available to you.
Our qualifications help compliance professionals develop relevant knowledge and best practice for operating within the fields of anti money laundering (AML). Awarded in conjunction with the Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, you can be assured that you are studying for a worthwhile qualification that is the benchmark of excellence.
ICA Certificates are considered introductory level. This means that they are suitable for those with no experience or in an operational role and requiring some awareness level understanding of an area. They are designed for those who need to understand the fundamentals of the subject area and recognise key issues, particularly relating to risk.
Advanced certificate courses are considered Intermediate and are designed for those new to the discipline or in a junior role who want to enhance their knowledge & skills.
Advanced Certificates are a natural stepping stone between Certificate graduates before completing an ICA Diploma.
ICA Diploma courses are considered advanced and are designed for those who already have some experience and are looking to underpin their knowledge with a professional qualification.
Diplomas are most commonly undertaken by Certificate and/or Advanced Certificate graduates.
Our Professional Postgraduate Diplomas are considered Expert and has been specifically designed as an advanced programme for senior industry practitioners. Completion of this course will help you to operate at the highest level within your organisation and master specialist knowledge.
How is the offence of money laundering committed?
Money laundering offences have similar characteristics globally. There are two key elements to a money laundering offence:
The act of laundering is committed in circumstances where a person is engaged in an arrangement (i.e. by providing a service or product) and that arrangement involves the proceeds of crime. These arrangements include a wide variety of business relationships e.g. banking, fiduciary and investment management.
The requisite degree of knowledge or suspicion will depend upon the specific offence but will usually be present where the person providing the arrangement, service or product knows, suspects or has reasonable grounds to suspect that the property involved in the arrangement represents the proceeds of crime. In some cases the offence may also be committed where a person knows or suspects that the person with whom he or she is dealing is engaged in or has benefited from criminal conduct.
Are all crimes capable of predicating money laundering?
Different jurisdictions define crime predicating the offence of money laundering in different ways. Generally the differences between the definitions may be summarised as follows:
In practice almost all serious crimes, including, drug trafficking, terrorism, fraud, robbery, prostitution, illegal gambling, arms trafficking, bribery and corruption are capable of predicating money laundering offences in most jurisdictions.
Can Fiscal Offences such as tax evasion predicate Money Laundering?
The answer depends upon the definition of crime contained within the money laundering legislation of a particular jurisdiction.
Tax evasion and other fiscal offences are treated as predicate money laundering crimes in most of the worlds most effectively regulated jurisdictions.
Why is money laundering illegal?
The objective of the criminalisation of money laundering is to take the profit out of crime. The rationale for the creation of the offence is that it is wrong for individuals and organisations to assist criminals to benefit from the proceeds of their criminal activity or to facilitate the commission of such crimes by providing financial services to them.
The processes are extensive. Generally speaking, money is laundered whenever a person or business deals in any way with another person’s benefit from crime. That can occur in a countless number of diverse ways.
Traditionally money laundering has been described as a process which takes place in three distinct stages.
Placement, the stage at which criminally derived funds are introduced in the financial system.
Layering, the substantive stage of the process in which the property is ‘washed’ and its ownership and source is disguised.
Integration, the final stage at which the ‘laundered’ property is re-introduced into the legitimate economy.
This three staged definition of money laundering is highly simplistic. The reality is that the so called stages often overlap and in some cases, for example in cases of financial crimes, there is no requirement for the proceeds of crime to be ‘placed’.
If you’re considering developing your career in anti money laundering, becoming an ICA member will give you access to a wealth of knowledge, tools, resources and practical support to help develop your career. Being a member of ICA also demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of practice and conduct and enhances your professional reputation and employability.
We have four different levels of individual membership. Whether you are just starting out in your career, have gained an ICA professional qualification or are an experienced practitioner, there is a level appropriate for you.
This level of membership is for those currently studying towards an ICA qualification. In addition it provides you with the following individual benefits that will help you with your studies:
As a Student member you will be required to sign up to the ICA Code of Conduct Depending on the course you are studying you would need to purchase one of the following Student membership levels.
Qualification | Student Membership Price |
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For Certificates/Specialist Certificates | £30 |
For All other qualifications | £107 |
This level of membership is the ICA's entry level membership grade:
As an Affiliate member you will be required to sign up to the ICA Code of Conduct and we recommend that you complete (and log) a minimum of 10 hours of CPD each year.
Number of years | Affiliate Member |
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1 year | £107.00* |
Associate membership is a mark of achievement that recognises your commitment to professionalism through studying. This level is for those who have successfully completed an ICA Advanced Certificate.
As an Associate member you will be required to sign up and adhere to ICA Code of Conduct and complete a mandatory 35 hours of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) each year.
Number of years | Associate Member |
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1 year | £123.00 |
Being a Professional Member of ICA is a globally recognised mark of professionalism and excellence.
This membership level demonstrates the highest levels of practical and academic knowledge and is available to holders of an ICA Diploma qualification or those who qualify via the experienced practitioner*route.
As a Professional Member you will sign up and adhere to the ICA Code of Conduct and agree to undertake 35 hours of mandatory Continuous Professional Development (CPD) each year.
Number of years | Professional Member |
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1 year | £176.00 |
2 years | £317.00 |
3 years | £449.00 |
Being a Fellow of the ICA is a mark of prestige and is our highest level of membership. It demonstrates a high level of competence and achievement and represents your ongoing dedication to professionalism.
There is an expectation that as a Fellow, will add value to the growing ICA community. This can be done in a variety of ways such as contributing to inCOMPLIANCE®, designing content for the CPD Centre, serving on an ICA Branch committee or becoming an examiner. Of course we are always open to ideas and suggestions that play to your individual personal strengths that our community would benefit from.
This level of membership is:
To maintain this status, you must sign up and adhere to the ICA Code of Conduct and complete a further 35 hours of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) each year.
Number of years | Fellow Member |
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1 year | £210.00 |
2 years | £378.00 |
3 years | £535.00 |
Help and support
Alternatively contact us on: +44(0)121 362 7534 / icainfo@int-comp.org (Course information)
or +44(0)121 362 7533 / learningsupport@int-comp.org (Enrolled learners)
or +44 (0) 121 362 7503 / epa@int-comp.org (End Point Assessment)