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Blog

Filtering by Tag: financial crime course online

Recommended Books Related to Financial Crime in 2022

Ian Messenger

Several years ago I wrote a post detailing my 12 recommended book related to Financial Crime, now is time for an updated list.

Below are a collection of my favourite books related to Financial Crime. They cover a wide range of different financial crime types, from bribery and corruption to fraud to money laundering to soccer match-fixing.

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Building your AML, Compliance, and Financial Crime career: Low cost - or Free - courses to boost your knowledge and strengthen your CV/Resume

Ian Messenger

If you are currently working in the field of Financial Crime - or have been exploring entering the profession - you will know how expensive many of the courses and certifications can be. A word of warning: just because a course or certification has a high price tag, it doesn’t mean it will be the “best”.

Through my career in Financial Crime I have seen many good certifications that are worth the cost and several that are worth avoiding!

There are many short courses which are low cost - in some cases Free - that can be useful additions both to your own knowledge but also your resume (under the “short courses” or “professional development” section).

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Reminder: Ask the Instructor session - Certificate in Financial Crimes Prevention and Mitigation

Ian Messenger

Are you interested in the Certificate in Financial Crimes Prevention and Mitigation offered through Seneca College? If you have viewed the course webpages and have questions - or would simply like to hear more about the course in a live environment - consider attending the free “Ask the Instructor” session I am running via Zoom on Friday 10th July 2020.

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Review - Financial Intelligence Specialist (FIS) from ManchesterCF

Ian Messenger

The Financial Intelligence Specialist (FIS) designation is awarded by ManchesterCF, a Canadian financial intelligence company, and accredited by University of New Haven.

Manchester CFs Financial Intelligence Specialist (FIS) designation was on my radar for a while because it is, in the world of financial crime certifications, unique. There are 12 modules, all completed via an online learning platform, on a range of subjects and each with their own knowledge assessment. Successfully obtaining 80% means you pass the module, and passing all 12 modules awards the Financial Intelligence Specialist designation.

Unlike many other certifications, there are no ongoing CPD or renewal costs.

From the outset I will say that the FIS has quickly become one of my recommended certifications, for reasons I will elaborate in this review.

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Ask the Instructor: Certificate in Financial Crimes Prevention and Mitigation

Ian Messenger

Are you interested in the Certificate in Financial Crimes Prevention and Mitigation offered through Seneca College? If you have viewed the course webpages and have questions - or would simply like to hear more about the course in a live environment - consider attending the free “Ask the Instructor” session I am running via Zoom on Friday 10th July 2020.

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Certificate in Financial Crimes Prevention and Mitigation – FNC100

Ian Messenger

The Financial Crimes Prevention & Mitigation Program – FNC100 which is offered through the Canadian Institute for Financial Crime Analysis (CIFCA).  The FNC100 is a unique, online (hybrid), 16-week professional development program that provides you with specialized training needed for the rapidly growing compliance and financial crimes prevention profession. 

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Newcomers to Canada: Part 4 - Networking

Ian Messenger

“Networking” is fourth instalment of a 4-part series aimed at newcomers to Canada working in Financial Crime roles.

As a result of my own experiences as a newcomer to Canada, I designed and launched the Financial Crimes Prevention and Mitigation program through Seneca College [Link] to address both the “Canadian Experience” and certification hurdles.

Having discussed the existence of “Canadian Experience”, the role of Contracting as a first step, and the value of Certifications and Courses, our attention turns to the concept of “Networking” .

The Financial Crime sector in Toronto (and other Canadian cities) is a very close knit environment. Given the proximity of many financial institutions within a small area, the opportunity to build a professional network with other professionals, at other financial institutions, is very present.

There are many after-hours networking events in Toronto hosted by several of the major industry associations and also by smaller organisations and even some of the many talent individuals in the field. Given the condensed nature of the profession in Toronto, you will quickly get to know the “key players” and many of the venues are located in the downtown core - within easy access of many employers and public transit.

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Newcomers to Canada: Part 3 - Certifications and Courses

Ian Messenger

In Part 2 of this series, I discussed the value of approaching contracting roles as an entry into the Canadian financial crime job market. Added to this, I introduced the role of Certifications and Courses as being “recommended” or “(strongly) preferred)…

… if you see those words in a job description, you should interpret them as “Required”. At least to get the interview. But I would argue that each of the below courses and certifications offer value to both your resume and your personal development, and are worthy of your consideration.

As an educator, it is no surprise that I value the idea of continuous professional development. Keeping your financial crime knowledge up to date and “relevant” cannot be understated. The financial crime space is constantly evolving as criminals adapt and exploit new and emerging technologies and products. To that end, Financial Crime professionals must keep up their own learning and development.

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Newcomers to Canada: Part 2 - Contracting vs Permanent roles

Ian Messenger

In my previous post I discussed the issue of - or lack of - “Canadian Experience” and the challenges this creates for newcomers to Canada in Financial Crime roles. One of the mitigations that I presented - and from my own experience - was to consider Contracting rather than Permanent roles (at least for the first Canadian jon)

Unlike some jurisdictions, there is a heavy reliance on contract roles in Financial Crime departments. Often the number of contract roles outweigh the number of permanent roles within an institution. Contract roles offer employers, and individuals, flexibility to account for increased short-term workloads - or changing budgets.

A quick search on LinkedIn and other job sites show a high number of contract AML / Financial Crime roles for contracts of 6-12 months. Many of these recruitment campaigns are for MULTIPLE positions - compared with just 1 position in many permanent offerings - this presents a greater chance for the right candidate to get the interview and thus showcase their skills to the hiring manager.

Aside from the greater possibility of getting an interview as part of a mass-hiring campaign - hiring managers often have a greater flexibility when it comes to lack of “Canadian Experience”. When hiring for multiple positions, lack of “Canadian Experience” may be overlooked. Therefore a contract role can be the perfect opportunity to get such Canadian Experience! Thus setting you up for success when applying for that next - permanent - role.en the number of contract roles outweigh the number of permanent roles within an institution. Contract roles offer employers, and individuals, flexibility to account for increased short-term workloads - or changing budgets.

A quick search on LinkedIn and other job sites show a high number of contract AML / Financial Crime roles for contracts of 6-12 months. Many of these recruitment campaigns are for MULTIPLE positions - compared with just 1 position in many permanent offerings - this presents a greater chance for the right candidate to get the interview and thus showcase their skills to the hiring manager.

Aside from the greater possibility of getting an interview as part of a mass-hiring campaign - hiring managers often have a greater flexibility when it comes to lack of “Canadian Experience”. When hiring for multiple positions, lack of“Canadian Experience” may be overlooked. Therefore a contract role can be the perfect opportunity to get such Canadian Experience! Thus setting you up for success when applying for that next - permanent - role.

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Newcomers to Canada: Part 1 - "Canadian" Experience

Ian Messenger

When I first arrived in Canada in 2016 from the UK I must admit I was a bit naive when it came to the concept of “Canadian Experience” in the job market. I had read about it on online forums and websites as I prepared for my move but thought, like many, that I wouldn’t be as bad as everyone said…at least for me!

My rationale? I was coming from an established career in law enforcement with a strong (and related) academic background. Surely I would be snapped up by Canadian private sector employers… or at least get an interview.

No.

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12 Recommended Books Related to Financial Crime

Ian Messenger

Over the course of 2019 as I designed the Financial Crimes Prevention and Mitigation program for Seneca College, I read a lot of financial crime related books in order to ensure the program was full of “real world” examples and case studies. Building on the academic framework, the use of case studies throughout the course aims to provide students with both a theoretical and practical knowledge of financial crime.

Such duality is also seen in the programs’ close alignment with the CFCS certification - offering students a Seneca College certificate and preparation for a leading industry certification.

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Where will I study Financial Crimes Prevention and Mitigation?

Ian Messenger

As I have mentioned in previous posts, the Financial Crimes Prevention and Mitigation program at Seneca College is a 16 week hybrid in-class and online course. However it is possible to take the entire course online from anywhere you have an internet connection!

Of the 16 scheduled sessions, 12 are exclusively held by video conference through the Blackboard learning platform.

4 sessions are held at Seneca Colleges’ downtown campus in the Toronto Financial District.

The in-class sessions are also available via video conference - this means that you don’t have to be a compliance professional physically located in Toronto to take the program!

All 16 sessions - and any guest speaker sessions - will be available to access and participate online through the Blackboard learning platform.

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How will I study Financial Crimes Prevention and Mitigation?

Ian Messenger

The program is delivered over 16 weeks in a hybrid online and in-class format. All 16 weeks are livestreamed via the interactive Blackboard learning platform where students can ask live-time questions, participate in polls and knowledge checks, and share their own insights and experiences with the case. Recordings will be made available after class in case you are unable to attend a session.

Of the 16 weeks, 4 sessions will be held at Seneca College’s Downtown Campus at 30 Wellington St. West, in the heart of Toronto’s Financial district. Spaced throughout the program, the in-class sessions will provide an opportunity for the class to take advantage of face-to-face networking with their colleagues and peers, as well as invited industry-leading guest speakers.

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Behind the Financial Crimes Prevention & Mitigation Program

Ian Messenger

The motivation behind developing the Financial Crimes Prevention & Mitigation Program originated from my own personal experiences and understanding of the Compliance profession in Canada, specifically Toronto.

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Financial Crimes Prevention and Mitigation Program – FNC100

Ian Messenger

The Financial Crimes Prevention & Mitigation Program – FNC100 which is offered through the Canadian Institute for Financial Crime Analysis (CIFCA).  The FNC100 is a unique, online (hybrid), 16-week professional development program that provides you with specialized training needed for the rapidly growing compliance and financial crimes prevention profession. 

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