Business Acceptance Analyst

We are recruiting a Business Acceptance Analyst into our Risk Management department. The successful individual will report to the Business Acceptance Manager, who works closely with the Head of Business Acceptance (also the firm’s Deputy Money Laundering Reporting Officer (DMLRO)).

About Macfarlanes

Macfarlanes is a pre-eminent law firm that serves a global client base in private capital, private wealth, M&A and disputes. Personal connection, an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to excellence are at the heart of our firm. These values drive our ability to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.

We are big enough to undertake the most complex and demanding mandates yet small enough to know each other well and to be agile, adapting to the needs of our clients. We seek to strengthen the firm by recruiting talented people from all backgrounds who want to build long-lasting and impactful careers with us. Our culture is challenging and supportive, creating an environment where individuals can thrive.

What this means for you

Joining Macfarlanes means being part of a collaborative, lawyer-led team where you’ll develop and learn from experienced lawyers and business professionals. Our size means you’ll be given genuine responsibility early on and often be involved at the heart of legal and regulatory matters, gaining insight into how high-quality legal advice is developed and delivered to help a sophisticated business remain compliant while meeting its commercial needs.

You’ll work closely with senior colleagues who are approachable and who want you to succeed. You’ll be encouraged to get involved in cross-departmental activities, and you’ll be recognised for your contribution.

We place real importance on your development. Our training and mentoring programmes are second to none and designed to help you strengthen your legal and commercial skills.

Above all, you’ll be part of a firm where we all work together as part of a cohesive and supportive team, where you’ll be recognised and appreciated, and encouraged to succeed.

The team

The Risk Management department, led by the firm’s Chief Risk & Legal Officer (who also acts as the firm’s Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)), comprises the Business Acceptance (BA) team and the Risk team. The BA team is overseen by the Head of Business Acceptance and includes the Business Acceptance Manager, a Senior Business Acceptance Analyst, and six Business Acceptance Analysts.

The Risk Management department supports the firm and its people in meeting their legal and regulatory obligations, upholding the highest standards of professional conduct and quality. This BA team is primarily responsible for managing the firm’s risks relating to the inception of new clients and matters.

The role

This position will focus primarily on managing the firm’s risks regarding conflicts, clients, and use of client account.

Key responsibilities include analysing conflict checks for new matters; conducting customer due diligence and risk assessment, reviewing sanctions connections and advising the fee earners on legal and reputational risks associated with new business. This role is integral to preserving the firm’s reputation and ensuring compliance with professional conduct rules.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• conducting conflict searches, identifying, and resolving any conflicts and confidentiality issues, and escalating matters as appropriate;
• identifying and verifying new clients and conducting ongoing monitoring of existing clients and analysing ownership and control and source of wealth/funds to assess AML and sanctions risks. Determining applicable CDD or EDD requirements, collecting and reviewing relevant CDD material and approving matter openings in Intapp or escalating as necessary;
• conducting screening to identify politically exposed persons (PEPs), sanctions issues and other regulatory and reputational risks;
• conducting and reviewing risk assessments to ensure that the appropriate risk ratings are assigned and escalation procedures are followed in high-risk scenarios;
• assisting the finance team and others with client account queries and ensuring compliance with SRA accounts rules;
• providing practical advice and assistance to fee-earners regarding conflicts, AML and sanctions obligations;
• assisting in developing and the delivery of compliance training programmes to the wider firm including induction training to new joiners on the risk management department’s role and responsibilities;
• assisting with the creation and maintenance of information barriers;
• conducting file audits of partner matter files to review compliance with the firm’s policies, controls and procedures;
• assisting with the maintenance of our client and matter data in Intapp; and
• supporting the Business Acceptance Manager and Head of Business Acceptance with ad-hoc projects, as required.

This job description encompasses the main duties of the role but is not exhaustive. Responsibilities may vary from time to time in line with the needs of the department.

The candidate

The successful candidate will ideally have a minimum of 1 year’s previous experience of working as an AML & conflicts analyst at a law firm.

Technical skills:

• working knowledge of paragraphs 6.1 - 6.5 of the SRA’s Codes of Conduct, including detailed analysis and resolution of complex conflicts and confidentiality issues;
• working knowledge of the AML legislative regime (including the 2017 Money Laundering Regulations and the 2019 Amendment Regulations, POCA, the LSAG Guidance) including advising on CDD requirements;
• working knowledge of sanctions regimes, PEPs and other high-risk categories; understanding of complex corporate structures, trusts and SPVs;
• ideally a good working knowledge of Intapp Open; and
• strong analytical, written and communication skills.

Client service and communication:

• ability to communicate effectively with partners and others in the firm;
• exhibits a sensibly commercial approach and is solutions focused;
• anticipates internal client needs by understanding commercial pressures;
• responds positively to and promotes change; and
• demonstrates strong presentation skills and is comfortable presenting.

Application screening

Any offer of employment with us is subject to our pre-employment checks which are conducted by a third-party screening provider. These may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, any criminal records and employment references. These checks will be initiated with your consent and your offer will be subject to the successful completion of these checks. 

Our commitment to inclusion

Inclusion is one of our key priorities and it is a goal we are actively working towards. We believe that an inclusive, forward-thinking culture is intrinsically important and enables us to provide innovative solutions to our clients.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, bringing different perspectives and experiences, making Macfarlanes an exciting and stimulating place to work. We seek to recruit the best candidates, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social or economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation or any other characteristic.

As part of this commitment, we will ask you certain diversity data questions. We would really appreciate you and/or your recruiter completing these questions when submitting an application to Macfarlanes as this data enables us to measure our progress and identify any actions needed to continue to support an inclusive culture. This data is anonymised to maintain the privacy of applicants. If you have any questions relating to how this data is used, please contact a member of the recruitment team.

Should you require any adjustments during the application and/or interview process, please do not hesitate to inform your recruiter or a member of the recruitment team. Please note, the job description is available in other accessible formats (for example, large print).

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who best meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme, please email the recruitment team at [email protected].