FICA and AML Executive Training Programme

Executive leadership starts with compliance leadership

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The FICA and AML Executive Training Programme

Regulators increasingly expect directors, governing bodies, and senior management to demonstrate active oversight of anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing, (CTF) and counter-proliferation financing (CPF) compliance.

The programme is a practical, executive-level masterclass designed to equip leadership teams with the knowledge and confidence to meet these responsibilities. Rather than focusing on operational compliance, the programme helps senior decision-makers to understand their governance obligations, strengthen oversight, and foster a culture of compliance throughout the organisation.

Why executive training matters

FICA compliance is no longer simply an operational requirement. It is a governance responsibility that begins with leadership.

Duties of Senior Management and Governing Bodies

Establish an effective culture of compliance by setting the tone from the top;
Approve and oversee an appropriate Risk Management and Compliance Programme (RMCP);
Draft an accurate and effective Business Risk Assessment (BRA);
Detect and prevent financial crime through timely reporting; and
Embed compliance into their daily operations and ensure the effective implementation of the RMCP.

Failure to engage at an executive level often results in:

Weak or outdated RMCPs;
RMCPs that are not appropriately approved;
Poorly understood risk exposure, which leads to inappropriate and disproportionate money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing control measures;
Lack of or ineffective oversight structures; and
Increased exposure to administrative sanctions and reputational damage.

This programme is designed to help leadership avoid these pitfalls by strengthening governance and improving informed decision-making.

What participants will gain

Rather than providing a technical overview of legislation, this programme focuses on helping executives to understand what their responsibilities are, and how to discharge them effectively.

The programme covers the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), and the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act (POCDATARA), with a practical focus on their application within accountable institutions.

Participants will gain a clear understanding of:

The purpose of FICA in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing;
How financial institutions are targeted and exploited;
The full compliance lifecycle from risk identification to reporting; and
The role of management in governance, oversight, and decision-making.

Programme content

1. Regulatory framework and strategic context

Understand the legislative framework that underpins South Africa’s anti-financial crime regime.

Relationship between FICA, POCA and POCDATARA
The purpose of each piece of legislation
Regulatory expectations for accountable institutions
Leadership’s role in maintaining compliance

2. The compliance ecosystem

Understand the key role players and their responsibilities.

Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC)
Supervisory bodies and regulators
Internal governance structures
FICA Compliance Officers and MLROs

3. Core obligations of accountable institutions

A practical overview of the essential compliance requirements.

goAML registration and FICA appointments
Business Risk Assessments (BRA)
Risk Management and Compliance Programme (RMCP)
Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and screening
Reporting and record-keeping obligations

4. Risk-based approach and financial crime typologies

Learn how risks should be identified, assessed and managed.

Money laundering risks
Terrorist financing risks
Proliferation financing risks
Applying a risk-based approach
Leadership oversight and governance

5. Executive responsibilities and accountability

Clarify the responsibilities of directors and senior management.

Setting the tone from the top
Governance and oversight responsibilities
Accountability versus delegation
Consequences of non-compliance

6. Common compliance failures and enforcement trends

Learn from common regulatory findings and enforcement actions.

Deficiencies identified during inspections
Weaknesses in RMCP implementation
Governance failures
Financial penalties
Reputational consequences

Who should attend?

Board Members
Directors
Governing Body Members
Chief Executives
Executive Committees
Key Individuals
Senior Managers
Compliance Executives
Other applicable leaders

Outcomes for your organisation

After completing the programme, your leadership team will be able to:

Understand their legal and governance responsibilities under FICA

Provide effective oversight of AML, CTF, and CPF compliance

Critically assess and approve the RMCP and BRA

Challenge compliance functions constructively and confidently

Strengthen risk-based decision-making

Contribute to building a sustainable compliance culture

Delivery approach

The FICA and AML Executive Training Programme is structured as a half-day session and is:

practical and application-focused with no generic theory;
tailored to your business model and risk profile;
delivered on-site or virtually; and
designed to facilitate engagement and discussion at leadership level.

Participants will receive supporting materials to reinforce learning and implementation.

Tailored for your organisation

We understand that no two organisations are the same. The programme can therefore be tailored in collaboration with your leadership, compliance, and operational teams to reflect your business model, risk exposure, governance structures, and practical implementation challenges. Whether your organisation requires a focused executive briefing, a more interactive working session, or training aligned to specific internal policies and control environments, we will work with you to shape a solution that is relevant, practical, and outcomes driven.

Strengthen executive oversight

Strong compliance starts with informed leadership. Equip your board, governing body, and executive team with the knowledge and confidence to meet their FICA responsibilities and strengthen your organisation’s governance.

Contact Moonstone Compliance

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