{"id":9617,"date":"2025-06-20T09:51:28","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T09:51:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.amlcc.com\/?p=9617"},"modified":"2026-09-08T08:41:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T08:41:43","slug":"8-practical-tips-to-improve-aml-training-in-your-firm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.amlcc.com\/ie\/8-practical-tips-to-improve-aml-training-in-your-firm\/","title":{"rendered":"8 tips for making AML training easier"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

8 tips for making AML training easier<\/h1>\n\n\n
\"Richard<\/div>
Richard Simms<\/span>

Director and Founder of AMLCC and AMLCC Consult<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
\"8<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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For those working in the regulated sectors, anti-money laundering (AML) training isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. It’s a regulatory requirement with real-world consequences if not handled correctly.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But with ongoing demands, tight deadlines and ever-evolving risks, how do you ensure anti-money laundering training is not just completed but truly integrated into your daily operations?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, I\u2019ll give you my eight practical tips to help you weave AML training requirements into the rhythm of your business, so your approach feels less like a chore and more like a natural part of working life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Integration matters <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Annual training in AML may satisfy the minimum regulatory requirement. But it rarely changes behaviour on its own. The most common training gaps aren\u2019t due to a lack of materials but rather a disconnect between formal learning and real-life practice. That disconnect leaves businesses exposed \u2014 legally, financially, and reputationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making AML training easier means embedding it into your routine. When awareness is part of everyday decisions, everyone wins: your team, your clients, and your regulators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Make AML part of onboarding for new team members<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A well-structured onboarding programme is your first opportunity to set expectations. Embedding AML training at this stage signals its importance and aligns new starters with the business\u2019s values and obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can go further by assigning sector-relevant case studies early in the process, helping staff see how training AML protocols play out in context. These examples prompt discussion and ensure early familiarity with warning signs, escalation routes, and who your Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO<\/a>) is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Build a culture of continuous learning<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Good AML training isn\u2019t a one-off event. It should evolve as risks evolve, especially in high-risk sectors like conveyancing, trust and company services, or advisory work for overseas clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of waiting for your annual training window, incorporate short refreshers into regular meetings. These can be quick: a five-minute scenario in a team meeting, a short update in the staff newsletter, or a “what would you do?” poll around the table. The aim is to maintain awareness without overwhelming the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Use real-world cases to encourage engagement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Real cases make abstract concepts tangible. They spark discussion, reveal blind spots, and encourage critical thinking. Use anonymised or public cases from your own sector to promote learning and highlight consequences. This keeps money laundering training rooted in the risks your team actually faces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some UK examples are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accountancy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between April and September 2023, HMRC fined 21 accountancy businesses and tax advisers<\/a> for breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, with total penalties of almost \u00a3100,000. These penalties included failures such as inadequate customer due diligence, poor risk assessment, and insufficient AML policies and procedures\u2014common across several accountancy practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) issued its maximum fixed penalty of \u00a325,000 to a central London law firm<\/a>, Mellor & Jackson Ltd, for serious anti-money laundering (AML) breaches. The SRA said that the firm failed to carry out a compliant risk assessment, didn\u2019t have proper AML policies and controls in place, and neglected to train staff adequately between 2017 and 2022. The SRA emphasised that the failures were systemic and prolonged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Property<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HMRC penalised 175 estate and letting agents in the 2022\u201323 financial year for breaches of anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, issuing \u00a31.6 million in fines<\/a>. The most common failings included not registering with HMRC, not conducting proper risk assessments, and failing to provide AML training. HMRC warned that non-compliance continues to be a serious problem in the property sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Tie training to the role<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your fee earners and admin staff face different AML challenges. So their AML training content should reflect those realities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tailoring training to roles helps staff apply it. Those dealing with client due diligence should be confident in identifying beneficial owners and understanding source of funds. Partners approving matters should understand the risk scoring framework. And your front desk or reception team should know when to escalate unusual behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Make escalation procedures accessible<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Training on the risks alone isn\u2019t enough if staff don\u2019t know what to do when something feels off. That means your escalation procedures need to be crystal clear and easy to follow. Ensure that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n