Anti Money Laundering Assessments & Compliance
We assess your exposure to money laundering and terrorist financing and help you build a compliance programme that meets UAE requirements and stands up to inspection.
Compliance that fits the way you do business.
Regulators expect every business in scope of AML law to understand its own risks and to apply controls in proportion to them. A copied policy that does not match your customers, products, and channels will not satisfy an inspection.
Our compliance and assessment team starts with an honest picture of where your exposure lies, then helps you design, document, and run controls your staff can follow day to day.
The rules your programme has to meet.
The UAE's AML and counter-terrorist financing regime sets clear obligations for financial institutions and designated businesses.
Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018
The core AML/CFT law, with its implementing regulations as amended, setting obligations for financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs).
Enterprise-wide risk assessment
Businesses must identify, assess, and document their money laundering and terrorist financing risks, and keep the assessment up to date.
Customer due diligence
Identifying and verifying customers and beneficial owners, with enhanced measures for higher-risk relationships such as politically exposed persons.
Targeted financial sanctions
Screening customers and transactions against UAE and UN sanctions lists and acting without delay on any match.
Suspicious transaction reporting
Reporting suspicions to the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit through the goAML platform and keeping reports confidential.
Record keeping and training
Keeping due diligence and transaction records for the required period and training staff regularly.
Programmes for every regulated sector.
Designated businesses and professions
Real estate brokers, dealers in precious metals and stones, auditors and accountants, and corporate service providers all carry AML obligations and are subject to supervisory inspections.
- Registration and goAML onboarding support
- Risk assessment tailored to your sector
- Customer due diligence forms and procedures
- Preparation for supervisory inspections
Lenders, finance companies, and insurers
Firms that move or hold customer money face the highest expectations, with detailed requirements for monitoring, screening, and governance.
- Independent review of AML controls
- Transaction monitoring rules and scenarios
- Sanctions screening configuration review
- Board and senior management reporting
Companies managing third-party risk
Businesses outside the regulated sectors still need to know who they deal with, especially in cross-border trade and when onboarding new partners.
- Know-your-business checks on counterparties
- Sanctions and adverse media screening
- Supplier and distributor due diligence
- Policies for gifts, payments, and red flags
Assess, design, implement, and review.
- 01
Risk assessment
We map your customers, products, delivery channels, and geographies to identify where exposure lies.
- 02
Gap analysis
Existing policies and controls are tested against legal requirements and supervisory expectations.
- 03
Programme design
We write or update your policy, procedures, and forms, proportionate to the risks identified.
- 04
Training and review
Staff training, periodic testing, and an annual review keep the programme effective.
Clear, usable deliverables.
Risk assessment report
A documented enterprise-wide risk assessment with ratings and the reasoning behind them.
AML/CFT policy and procedures
Written for your business, approved by management, and ready for inspection.
Due diligence toolkit
Onboarding forms, risk scoring, and enhanced due diligence checklists.
Independent review report
Findings, priorities, and a remediation plan with owners and deadlines.
Training sessions
Role-based training for front-line staff, compliance officers, and management.
Reporting support
Guidance on recognising suspicion and on goAML reporting procedures.
Does my business fall under AML law?
Financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions are in scope. If you are unsure, we can review your activities and confirm your obligations.
How often should the risk assessment be updated?
It should be reviewed regularly and whenever your business changes, for example when you launch a product, enter a new market, or regulations change.
Do I need a compliance officer?
Businesses in scope are expected to appoint a compliance officer with the authority and resources to oversee the programme.
Can you help us prepare for an inspection?
Yes. We review your documents and records against supervisory expectations and help you close gaps beforehand.
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