Working in compliance as a contractor is becoming increasingly popular, especially with new regulatory changes in Hong Kong’s financial services market. Organisations are keen to keep up with the latest measures and as such, experienced professionals are in demand because of the candidate-short market.

Depending on the area of compliance that the professional with working in, the day-to-day activity can be a tad mundane but those working in advisory may find that it provides great exposure. However, it is challenging getting into advisory roles.

Once a professional moves into compliance, your career generally progresses within the compliance and risk areas. One of the more popular areas of compliance is within advisory/product compliance.

Working as a compliance contractor often pays well and provides job security despite its contract nature, as companies will constantly need good compliance professionals.

What you need to work in compliance

Professionals with prior experience in ‘Big 4’ firms as a qualified accountant or those with a law degree and experience working in regulatory bodies or consultancy firms are sought-after.

Once a professional moves into compliance, your career generally progresses within the compliance and risk areas. One of the more popular areas of compliance is within advisory/product compliance.

What to expect day-to-day

An example of a compliance contractor’s daily job responsibilities – as an Anti-money Laundry (AML) compliance officer – will include:

• Advising business and country compliance officers on regulatory and internal control issues
• Updating and formulating regional and countries AML policies and client identification procedures
• Working as a compliance contractor often pays well and provides job security despite its contract nature, as companies will constantly need good compliance professionals
• Development and enhancement of compliance programmes
• Liaising with country compliance officers and business for maintenance of customer due diligence AML risk database
• Working on ad hoc AML reporting/testing as needed