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XAML

XAML: Xcademia AML and Financial Crime Practitioner

5-Day Instructor-Led Programme

The XAML Certification Programme is the practitioner standard for AML, financial crime, and compliance professionals who design and operate anti-money laundering programmes, conduct enhanced due diligence, manage suspicious activity reporting obligations, and govern financial crime risk in FCA-regulated entities. Assessed on Day 5 through a supervised financial crime risk assessment and AML programme design scenario. No MCQs. No annual membership. No CPE treadmill.

Duration

5 Days

Price

$4,595

XAML: Xcademia AML and Financial Crime Practitioner
Duration
5 Days
Complete in 5 days
Learning Style
Mentor-led, practical and scenario-based
Guided walkthroughs, real-world examples, and applied skills for the workplace.

Course Overview

Financial crime compliance is one of the most heavily regulated professional disciplines in UK and EU financial services. The FCA Financial Crime Guide, UK Money Laundering Regulations 2017 as amended, EU 6th Anti-Money Laundering Directive, FATF Recommendations 2023, and constant regulatory enforcement create a complex environment that demands practitioners who can apply frameworks, not just recite them. Online AML awareness modules and ACAMS exam preparation do not build this capability. XAML does. Across five instructor-led days, participants build AML and financial crime practitioner capability across the complete compliance professional remit: FATF risk-based approach methodology, UK MLR 2017 firm-level obligations, customer due diligence (CDD, EDD, and SDD), politically exposed persons management, sanctions compliance under OFSI and OFAC, suspicious activity reporting, transaction monitoring effectiveness, financial crime risk assessment design, and FCA financial crime enforcement trends. Every session uses real UK regulatory enforcement cases and FCA thematic review findings.

On Day 5, participants conduct a firm-level financial crime risk assessment for a simulated financial services entity and design an AML programme addressing identified risks. A senior AML practitioner with FCA-regulated sector experience assesses methodology quality and programme design. XAML certificate and Practitioner Assessment Report issued together.

Hands-On Learning

Hands-on CDD and EDD file review exercises, SAR drafting practice using UKFIU quality guidance, financial crime risk assessment design, transaction monitoring typology analysis, and a supervised AML programme design on Day 5.

Mentor-Led Sessions

Mentor-led sessions examining real FCA enforcement cases, JMLSG best practice application, Wolfsberg Group guidance on PEPs and correspondent banking, and how AML programmes are designed and tested in regulated financial institutions.

Career-Ready Skills

Design risk-based AML programmes, conduct enhanced due diligence for complex customers, manage suspicious activity reporting obligations, and govern financial crime risk in FCA-regulated entities to a standard that satisfies regulatory inspection.

Learning Outcomes

Design and implement risk-based AML programmes aligned to FATF Recommendations 2023, UK MLR 2017, and FCA Financial Crime Guide requirements

Conduct CDD including SDD and EDD for complex customers including PEPs, high-risk jurisdictions, and complex beneficial ownership structures

Draft and manage suspicious activity reports aligned to UKFIU 2025 quality guidance, managing consent SAR timelines and tipping-off risk

Design transaction monitoring typology libraries, calibrate alert thresholds, and conduct effectiveness reviews aligned to FCA expectations

Conduct firm-level financial crime risk assessments documenting inherent risk, control effectiveness, and residual risk for regulatory scrutiny

Govern AML compliance programmes using Three Lines of Defence, MLRO role requirements, training programme design, and FCA inspection preparation

Prerequisites

1

Minimum 12 months in a financial services compliance, operations, or risk role with exposure to AML or financial crime concepts

2

Basic familiarity with financial services products and services: banking, payments, investment, or insurance context

3

No legal qualification required. XAML is designed for compliance practitioners, not lawyers.

Detailed Syllabus

Organized by professional domains with comprehensive coverage

Topics Covered:
  • •FATF 40 Recommendations 2023 structure: risk-based approach methodology at national, sector, and firm level
  • • FATF Mutual Evaluation process and UK FATF assessment implications for firm-level compliance expectations
  • •FATF grey list and blacklist: implications for correspondent banking, de-risking, and enhanced due diligence
  • •FATF guidance on virtual assets and VASPs: crypto AML obligations and UK VASP registration regime
  • •Egmont Group financial intelligence unit cooperation: UKFIU role and cross-border intelligence sharing
Stage 5Final Capstone

XAML: Xcademia AML and Financial Crime Practitioner — Capstone Project

On Day 5, participants receive a simulated financial services firm profile: a UK-regulated payment institution with high-risk geographic exposure, complex corporate customer structures, and a growing crypto-adjacent product line. They must conduct a firm-level financial crime risk assessment documenting inherent risks, control effectiveness, and residual risk, then design an AML programme structure addressing the highest-priority gaps. The senior practitioner assesses risk assessment methodology, regulatory knowledge, and programme design quality.

Assessed by a senior Xcademia practitioner

Framework Alignment

This course is mapped directly onto the standards your organisation already answers to. No invented frameworks, no proprietary jargon.

  • FATF 40 Recommendations 2023

    Global

    FATF risk-based approach and global AML standards: primary reference throughout all domains

  • UK MLR 2017 (as amended 2023)

    Global

    UK Money Laundering Regulations: firm-level obligations throughout all domains

  • EU AMLD6

    Global

    6th EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive and AMLA: EU AML framework and UK divergence context

  • FCA Financial Crime Guide

    Global

    UK FCA financial crime supervision expectations: enforcement cases and thematic review findings throughout

  • JMLSG Guidance

    Global

    Joint Money Laundering Steering Group UK sector guidance: best practice reference throughout

  • Wolfsberg Group Principles

    Global

    International banking AML principles: correspondent banking and PEP guidance throughout

  • POCA 2002

    Global

    Proceeds of Crime Act 2002: SAR legal obligations and tipping-off offences throughout

  • OFSI and HM Treasury Sanctions

    Global

    UK financial sanctions regime: sanctions compliance module throughout

Skills You'll Gain

Master these in-demand skills through hands-on practice

FATF risk-based approach (2023 Recommendations)UK MLR 2017 firm obligationsCDD/SDD/EDD methodologyPEP risk assessment and EDDSanctions compliance (OFSI/OFAC)SAR drafting and management (UKFIU 2025)Transaction monitoring design and testingFinancial crime risk assessmentAML programme governanceFCA Financial Crime GuideThree Lines of Defence for AMLVirtual asset AML and VASP compliance

Career Progression

A clear view of the roles this programme supports, what typically comes next, and where learners progress over time

MLRO (Money Laundering Reporting Officer)AML Analyst / ManagerFinancial Crime Compliance ManagerCompliance Officer (Financial Crime)KYC Analyst / ManagerSanctions Compliance Specialist
Flexible Delivery Options

Ways to Learn

Choose the learning format that works best for you and your team

Book Now

Live Online

Instructor-Led Training

Join live instructor-led sessions from anywhere. Interactive, engaging, and flexible.

5 Days
Small cohorts
  • Live instructor interaction (real-time)
  • Trainer-led walkthroughs and real examples
  • Guided resources and session notes provided
  • Structured Q&A and practical discussion

Price per person

$4,595+ VAT

Group enrolments and early planning options available.

Also Available

Custom quotes for teams and organisations

Onsite Training

Quote Required

We come to you. Training delivered at your workplace for teams of 6 or more.

5 Days

Custom pricing based on:

  • • Team size & location
  • • Training dates & duration
  • • Customisation requirements
  • Training at your location
  • Customised content for your team
  • Flexible scheduling

No obligation. Response within 1 business day.

Venue-Based

Quote Required

Classroom training at a professional venue. Ideal for focused, immersive learning.

5 Days

Custom pricing based on:

  • • Team size & location
  • • Training dates & duration
  • • Customisation requirements
  • Professional training venue
  • Face-to-face instruction
  • Networking opportunities

No obligation. Response within 1 business day.

Blended

Quote Required

Combine online and in-person learning for maximum flexibility and impact.

5 Days

Timeline tailored to learner availability

Custom pricing based on:

  • • Team size & location
  • • Training dates & duration
  • • Customisation requirements
  • Mix of online and classroom
  • Self-paced pre-work
  • Intensive practical sessions

No obligation. Response within 1 business day.

All prices are exclusive of VAT where applicable. Group enrolments and custom packages available on request.

Premium Training Option

Prefer a Faster, Personalised Route into IT?

Not everyone learns best in a group. If you want focused guidance, faster clarity, and confidence you can use on the job, our 1-to-1 Fast-Track Training gives you private, mentor-led support tailored to your experience and goals.

Personalised XAML: Xcademia AML and Financial Crime Practitioner learning plan
Tailored to your pace and goals
Live 1-to-1 sessions
With an experienced mentor
Real-world troubleshooting
Practice, not just exam theory
Flexible scheduling
To fit around work, study, or family

"Many learners choose 1-to-1 when they want understanding, not memorisation."

Explore 1-to-1 Fast-Track Training

Exam & Certification Information

Everything you need to know about the certification exams

Awarding Organisation
Xcademia
Credential Awarded
Certificate of completion

Important Information

You will receive an Xcademia certificate of completion based on participation and successful completion of labs and scenario simulations.

Credential

Certificate of Completion

On successful completion of XAML: Xcademia AML and Financial Crime Practitioner, learners receive an Xcademia Certificate of Completion. This standalone certificate is issued directly by Xcademia and is aligned with globally recognised frameworks and best practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this course

Yes. XAML is designed to build MLRO-level competence. The programme covers all MLRO statutory obligations under UK MLR 2017 Regulation 21, SAR decision-making and UKFIU engagement, financial crime risk assessment from a regulatory scrutiny perspective, FCA inspection preparation, and the governance structure the MLRO oversees. MLROs in regulated entities find the programme directly applicable to their current role.

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Digital certificate upon completion
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