what is a financial risk compliance officer?
As a financial risk compliance officer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your company adheres to financial regulations and laws while assessing potential risks. Your duties go beyond scrutinising financial transactions, as you also identify risks related to non-compliance with government legislation and company policies. By collaborating with the finance manager, you mitigate financial risks associated with investments or other financial decisions.
Your job is commonly found in large corporations with multiple departments or branches, where operational risks are frequent due to the handling of financial resources by large teams. Your main task is to supervise risk management strategies, review government regulations, and establish company policies that minimise financial risks. You may work in various industries such as mining, manufacturing, and marketing.
view vacanciesaverage financial risk compliance officer salary
Financial risk compliance officers earn an average salary of $170,000 per year, with even entry-level positions starting at $121,250 annually. This career path offers high earning potential and experienced professionals can negotiate salaries of up to $205,000 per year.
what factors affect the salary of a financial risk compliance officer?
The salary of financial risk compliance officers is influenced by their level of experience and qualifications. In a junior position, where you have minimal industry knowledge, your earnings will reflect this. However, as you gain expertise in your field, you can negotiate a higher salary. The company you work for also impacts your earnings, with larger companies offering better remuneration packages. While most financial risk compliance officers work in banks and financial institutions, some also work in insurance companies. The location in which you work can also impact your salary, with metropolitan areas offering higher salaries due to the higher demand for financial risk compliance officers in large companies.
Want to know what you will earn as a financial risk compliance? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of financial risk compliance officers
As a financial risk compliance officer, your expertise lies in various aspects of company finances. You specialise in the following financial risk categories:
- credit risk: you review the risks arising from clients failing to fulfill their obligations towards the company. In credit, risk can arise from changes in foreign exchange policies or the failure of parties to fulfill obligations after payment.
- liquidity risks: your role as a financial risk compliance officer involves checking for risks that may arise from the inability to execute transactions due to insufficient funds. You also ensure there are no asset liquidity risks associated with insufficient buyers against sell orders.
- operational risk: as a financial risk compliance officer, you assess the risks arising from operational failures like mismanagement of funds and technical failures. You develop risk mitigation strategies to prevent fraudulent activities.
working as a financial risk compliance officer
As a financial risk compliance expert, you require extensive industry knowledge to execute your duties. To become a financial risk compliance officer, check out the duties and career expectations.
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financial risk compliance officer job description
Some of the tasks of a financial risk compliance officer include:
- researching new regulations and policies: as a financial risk compliance expert, you research the shifting legal frameworks that could affect the company's finances. You analyse the changes in the regulations and their impact on the company. When you understand the new compliance expectations, you adjust the company’s policies to ensure it remains compliant.
- conducting internal audit: as a financial risk compliance expert, you conduct a comprehensive audit of financial systems and structures in the company. Your job is to assess how well the company complies with the regulations. You also point out areas that require better policies to improve compliance and prepare a report for the management.
- training employees on company regulations: with the constantly changing regulations, employees may not understand the regulations without proper training. As a financial risk compliance officer, you provide training on the new policies and implementation strategies. The training is important for translating technical and legal language into simple instructions that employees can execute. You also point out the risks of non-compliance and how employees contribute towards compliance.
- filling compliance documents with the relevant authorities: as a financial risk compliance expert, you ensure the company meets the demands of the regulatory bodies. That means you prepare and submit the necessary documentation to the relevant authorities.
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work environment
Financial risk compliance officers work in banks, credit unions and insurance companies. You also work in investment firms or corporate settings overseeing compliance teams. You work in an office and spend most of the day attending meetings and analysing data. As a financial risk compliance expert, you may travel for conferences and meet with clients or regulatory bodies.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include financial advisors, auditors and finance managers. You might also be working in close proximity to accountants and office managers, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, finance analysts, data analysts and risk managers.
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work schedule
The typical work schedule of a financial risk compliance officer is the traditional office hours. That means you are likely to work 35 to 40 hours a week in full-time positions. Financial risk compliance officers also work long hours to complete special projects or work evenings to meet deadlines. Part-time positions are rare, but you can find contract work opportunities.
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job outlook
As an expert in financial risk compliance, your responsibilities include analyzing risks and ensuring compliance. This expertise opens up opportunities for specializations in various career paths, such as risk management or compliance management. Additionally, your comprehensive understanding of the business can lead to top-level managerial positions. Some financial risk compliance experts even advance their experience and become consultants.
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advantages of finding a financial risk compliance job through randstad
Finding your financial risk compliance job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a financial risk compliance is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
education and skills
To become a financial risk compliance expert, you require the following educational qualifications:
- bachelor’s degree: complete a bachelor's degree in finance, business or a relevant field. To improve your knowledge in compliance, pursue a Certificate IV in compliance and risk management. A diploma in quality auditing also improves your employment opportunities.
- gain experience: you require extensive experience in compliance and financial risk management to work in this role. Start with entry-level jobs in risk management and finance. Alternatively, grow your skills as a compliance officer.
financial risk compliance skills and competencies
Some of the qualities of a financial risk compliance expert include:
- project management skills: as a financial risk compliance officer, you require project management skills to guide your teams towards a particular goal. With project management skills, you follow the proper protocol and standards in assigning duties and organising work schedules. Project management skills also help you in guiding teams through policy changes and implementations of new company regulations.
- communication skills: as a financial risk compliance officer, you rely on communication skills to provide information about risks, policies and regulations to other staff members. You also communicate verbally to train other employees on the changing regulations and compliance issues. Communication skills help you communicate using simple language as opposed to technical terms.
- research skills: as a financial risk compliance officer, you require excellent research skills since you perform extensive research and audits to identify regulatory changes and business risks. Your research skills help you maintain focus on a particular subject for long periods and gain valuable insights.
FAQs about working as a financial risk compliance
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a financial risk compliance officer.
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what is the role of a financial risk compliance officer?
If you work as a financial risk compliance officer, your job involves maintaining compliance with regulations and policies in a financial or lending institution. You are responsible for assessing and creating internal regulatory policies to ensure that the company follows government regulations. Your duties also include overseeing a team of compliance officers to prevent the company from experiencing financial losses due to risks.
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what is the difference between a compliance and a risk officer?
As a financial risk compliance officer, it is crucial to keep up with the changes in financial regulations and laws to prevent legal issues and lawsuits. Your role is to evaluate risks both inside and outside the company that could affect its capital and earnings. While a compliance officer focuses on legislation, you ensure compliance and perform risk assessments.
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how much does a financial risk compliance officer earn?
In Australia, a job in financial risk compliance offers a lucrative salary, with a median remuneration package of $170,000 per year. If you are starting out in a junior position, your annual salary would be $121,250. However, as you gain more experience and qualifications, your salary will significantly increase, and you could potentially earn over $205,000 annually.
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is financial risk compliance a good career path?
Being a compliance officer can offer a rewarding and exciting career path. If you specialise in financial risk compliance, your chances of success are even higher. Your expertise in risk management can open up opportunities for managerial roles and other specialised areas.
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what is an example of financial risk in business?
As a financial risk compliance officer, your role is to identify potential risks that businesses may face. You are responsible for handling financial risks, including debt levels within the organisation, loan defaults, and risks related to business assets, such as natural disasters that may impact revenue generation.
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how do I apply for a financial risk compliance officer compliance vacancy?
Applying for a financial risk compliance officer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.