Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Program Audit Checklist

This comprehensive anti-money laundering (aml) compliance program audit checklist ensures regulatory compliance with FinCEN, OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, 31 CFR Part 1020. Comprehensive AML compliance program audit for financial institutions covering BSA/AML policy, customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, SAR filing, OFAC screening, and FinCEN requirements per 31 CFR Part 1020 (Bank Secrecy Act) and FFIEC BSA/AML Examination Manual. AML failures result in multi-billion dollar regulatory p

  • Industry: Financial Services
  • Frequency: Monthly / Quarterly
  • Estimated Time: 60 minutes
  • Role: Compliance Officer / Branch Manager
  • Total Items: 21
  • Compliance: FinCEN, OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, 31 CFR Part 1020

BSA/AML Program Requirements

Verify core program requirements per 31 CFR 1020.210.

  • Is written BSA/AML compliance program in place covering all four pillars (policies, officer, training, independent testing)?
  • Has a qualified BSA/AML Compliance Officer been designated with adequate authority and resources?
  • Has BSA/AML program been approved by board of directors and reviewed annually?
  • Is current AML risk assessment documenting customer risk, product risk, and geographic risk on file?
  • Is independent BSA/AML audit completed annually by internal audit or qualified third party?
  • Is annual AML training completed by all applicable staff with attendance records maintained?

Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and KYC

Verify CDD compliance per FinCEN CDD Rule 31 CFR 1010.230.

  • Is Customer Identification Program (CIP) in place verifying customer identity at account opening per 31 CFR 1020.220?
  • Are beneficial owners (25%+ ownership) of legal entity customers identified and verified per FinCEN CDD Rule?
  • Are customers assigned risk ratings (low/medium/high) based on documented risk factors?
  • Are high-risk customers (PEPs, cash-intensive businesses, correspondent banks) subject to enhanced due diligence?
  • Are customer risk ratings reviewed periodically and updated when triggering events occur?

Transaction Monitoring and Alert Investigation

Verify transaction monitoring per FFIEC examination requirements.

  • Is automated transaction monitoring system (TMS) in place covering all transaction types per AML risk profile?
  • Are all TMS alerts dispositioned within defined SLA with documented rationale?
  • Are TMS scenarios validated and tuned at least annually per model risk management requirements?
  • Are Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) filed within 15 days for cash transactions exceeding $10,000 per 31 CFR 1010.311?
  • Is structuring detection in place and employees trained to identify and report customers breaking up transactions?

SAR Filing and OFAC Screening

Verify SAR and OFAC compliance.

  • Are written SAR decision procedures in place ensuring consistent filing decisions per FinCEN guidance?
  • Are SARs filed within 30 days of initial detection (60 days if no suspect identified) per 31 CFR 1020.320?
  • Are SAR records retained for 5 years per 31 CFR 1010.430 and SAR confidentiality maintained?
  • Is OFAC screening performed against SDN List at account opening, wire transfers, and ongoing monitoring?
  • Are OFAC hits investigated and accounts blocked/frozen with FinCEN notification per OFAC requirements?

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Why Use This Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Program Audit Checklist?

This anti-money laundering (aml) compliance program audit checklist helps financial services teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for compliance officer / branch manager professionals, this checklist covers 21 critical inspection points across 4 sections. Recommended frequency: monthly / quarterly.

Ensures compliance with FinCEN, OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, 31 CFR Part 1020, FATF. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Program Audit Checklist?

A Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Program Audit Checklist is a standardized inspection form used by compliance officer / branch manager to ensure consistent financial services operations. It contains 30 inspection points organized into 4 sections. FREE anti-money laundering (aml) compliance program audit checklist PDF. Comprehensive AML compliance program audit for financial institutions covering BSA/AML policy, customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, SAR filing, OFAC screening, and FinCEN requirements per 31 CFR Part 1020 (Bank Secrecy Act) and FFIEC BSA/AML Examination Manual. Compliant with FinCEN, OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC. Download FREE digital template for financial services & banking operations compliance now.

How often should I use this financial services checklist?

This checklist is designed to be completed monthly / quarterly. Regular use ensures compliance with FinCEN and OCC and helps identify issues before they become problems.

Can I download this Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Program Audit Checklist as a PDF?

Yes, you can download this checklist as a FREE PDF for printing or offline use. The checklist includes 30 fields across 4 sections and typically takes 60 minutes to complete.

What compliance standards does this checklist cover?

This checklist helps ensure compliance with FinCEN, OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, 31 CFR Part 1020, FATF. Following these standards protects your organization and ensures best practices.

How do I complete this financial services inspection checklist?

Begin by completing the header fields for Institution/Branch Name, Review Date, Reviewer/Compliance Officer, Review Period, and Charter/Registration Number. Work through each of the 4 sections, marking items Yes or No as applicable. Finally, complete the footer fields and add your signature. The entire process takes approximately 60 minutes.

What are the key sections in this financial services checklist?

This financial services checklist is organized into 4 key sections: BSA/AML Program Requirements, Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and KYC, Transaction Monitoring and Alert Investigation, SAR Filing and OFAC Screening. Each section contains specific inspection points that compliance officer / branch manager must verify. The structured layout ensures nothing is missed during financial services inspections and makes the process efficient, typically taking 60 minutes to complete.

Who should use this Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Program Audit Checklist?

This checklist is primarily designed for compliance officer / branch manager working in financial services operations. However, it is also valuable for quality assurance teams, safety officers, compliance managers, and supervisors who need to verify that financial services standards are being met. Organizations of all sizes can benefit from using this Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Program Audit Checklist to maintain consistency and accountability.

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