Specialist Qualifications for a Regulated World
ACS offers a focused portfolio of professional certifications across compliance, AML, terrorist financing, sanctions, financial crime, consumer protection, data protection, auditing and information security.
Our certifications are developed for individuals who carry real professional responsibility. Each qualification defines what the candidate is expected to understand, evaluate and apply within the workplace.
ACS qualifications are suitable for professionals working across banking, regulators, insurance, investment, securities, FinTech, digital payments, government, auditing, professional services and other regulated sectors.
AML and Terrorist Financing Certifications
TFRSCertified Counter-Terrorist Financing Risk & Prevention Specialist
A specialist certification addressing terrorist-financing methods, risk indicators, funding sources, movement of funds, sanctions exposure, non-profit sector risks and preventive controls.
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CMPSCertified Money Laundering Prevention Specialist
A comprehensive specialist qualification covering money-laundering risks, risk-based AML programmes, customer due diligence, beneficial ownership, monitoring, escalation and suspicious activity reporting.
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CTMISCertified Transaction Monitoring & Investigation Specialist
A practical certification addressing transaction-monitoring frameworks, alert review, customer behaviour, investigation, evidence, escalation and reporting.
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CSESCertified Sanctions & Embargo Specialist
A professional qualification covering sanctions governance, customer and payment screening, ownership and control, escalation, licensing, embargoes and sanctions-risk management.
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CAFACertified AML & Financial Crime Auditor
A professional assurance qualification covering AML and financial-crime audit planning, control testing, evidence, sampling, regulatory alignment, findings, root-cause analysis and independent reporting.
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TFCPCertified Trade-Based Financial Crime Prevention Professional
A specialist qualification covering trade-based money laundering and financial crime risks involving documentation, pricing, shipping, goods, counterparties and payment structures.
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CKDSCertified KYC and Customer Due Diligence Specialist
A foundational specialist qualification covering Know-Your-Customer procedures, customer identification and verification, risk profiling, beneficial ownership and enhanced due diligence for higher-risk relationships.
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C.MLROCertified Money Laundering Reporting Officer
A leadership-focused qualification for professionals responsible for AML governance, regulatory reporting, internal escalation, investigation oversight and communication with senior management and regulators.
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CCDSCertified Fintech and Digital Assets Financial Crime Specialist
A specialist qualification addressing financial-crime risk within fintech, digital assets and virtual-asset service providers, covering wallet and blockchain analytics, custody, tokenisation, cross-border transfers and emerging-technology compliance controls.
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Compliance Certifications
CCCECertified Chief Compliance Executive
An advanced qualification for compliance leaders responsible for governance, regulatory strategy, organisational oversight, board reporting and compliance culture.
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CCOCertified Compliance Officer
A core professional qualification covering compliance risk assessment, regulatory obligations, policies, monitoring, reporting, training, escalation and professional ethics.
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CCCSCertified Customer Complaints Specialist
A professional qualification addressing fair complaint handling, investigation, customer communication, remediation, root-cause analysis and service improvement.
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CMCPSCertified Market Conduct and Consumer Protection Specialist
A specialist qualification covering fair treatment, market conduct, product governance, transparent disclosure, responsible sales, customer vulnerability and complaints handling.
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CBEISCertified Business Ethics and Integrity Specialist
A specialist qualification covering business ethics, codes of conduct, conflicts of interest, whistleblowing, integrity due diligence and the governance structures that embed ethical culture across an organisation.
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CDPPSCertified Data Protection & Privacy Specialist
A specialist qualification covering data-protection and privacy principles, lawful processing, data-subject rights, cross-border transfers, breach response and organisational accountability across global privacy frameworks.
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CCACertified Compliance Auditor
A professional assurance qualification covering compliance audit planning, control testing, sampling, regulatory alignment, findings, root-cause analysis and independent reporting across the compliance function.
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Financial Crime Certifications
CFDPFraud Detection & Prevention Practitioner
A practical qualification covering fraud risk assessment, red flags, preventive controls, detection techniques, investigation support and organisational response.
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CFCPCertified Financial Crimes Prevention Specialist
An integrated qualification covering money laundering, fraud, bribery, corruption, sanctions evasion, cyber-enabled crime and institutional prevention frameworks.
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CTEPSCertified Tax Evasion Prevention Specialist
A specialist qualification covering the prevention of tax evasion and the facilitation of tax evasion, including corporate criminal liability, red flags, due diligence, information-exchange obligations and preventive procedures.
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ABCPCertified Anti-Bribery & Corruption Professional
A specialist qualification addressing bribery and corruption risks, third parties, conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, due diligence, investigations and preventive governance.
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CCISSCertified Cyber & Information Security Specialist
A professional qualification providing compliance and risk specialists with an understanding of cyber threats, information-security governance, access control, incident response, third-party risks and regulatory expectations.
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CAFSCertified Anti-Counterfeiting and Forgery Specialist
A cross-sector specialist qualification covering the forgery of electronic documents and records, digital signatures and seals, identity fraud, deepfakes and AI-generated content, cyber-enabled fraud, digital evidence and professional reporting.
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The ACS Certification Standard
Every ACS certification is developed through a controlled professional process that includes:
- Analysis of the relevant professional role
- Identification of required knowledge and responsibilities
- Development of measurable qualification outcomes
- Technical review by subject-matter specialists
- Assessment design and quality review
- Secure examination or assessment delivery
- Independent certification decisions
- Periodic review and updating
This process ensures that ACS qualifications remain credible, relevant and suitable for professional recognition.
Who Can Apply?
ACS certifications are designed for:
- Compliance professionals
- AML and financial crime specialists
- Regulatory officers
- Risk-management professionals
- Internal and external auditors
- Legal and governance professionals
- Fraud investigators
- Customer-protection professionals
- Data-protection specialists
- Information-security professionals
- Banking and financial-services employees
- Insurance and investment professionals
- Managers and members of governing bodies
- Graduates seeking to enter the profession
General Entry Requirements
Entry requirements depend on the level and nature of the certification. Applicants should normally meet one or more of the following:
- Hold a relevant academic qualification
- Hold an appropriate professional qualification
- Have relevant professional experience
- Complete an ACS-approved preparatory programme
- Demonstrate equivalent knowledge through recognised prior learning
Advanced, leadership and auditing certifications may require evidence of relevant professional or managerial experience.
The Certification Process
- 01
Select Your Certification
Choose the qualification most closely aligned with your role, responsibilities and professional objectives.
- 02
Confirm Your Eligibility
Review the entry requirements and submit any required qualification or experience evidence.
- 03
Register
Complete the candidate-registration process through ACS or an authorised ACS centre.
- 04
Prepare
Study independently where permitted or complete an approved preparatory programme.
- 05
Complete the Assessment
Complete the applicable examination, assignment, case study, practical assessment or professional interview.
- 06
Meet the Required Standard
Unless otherwise stated, candidates must achieve a minimum assessment score of 70%.
- 07
Receive Your Credential
Successful candidates receive an ACS certificate carrying a unique credential number.
- 08
Maintain Your Professional Recognition
Where renewal applies, certificate holders must maintain professional good standing and meet the relevant CPD requirements.
Assessment Methods
Depending on the qualification, assessment may include:
- Multiple-choice examinations
- Applied professional scenarios
- Case-based questions
Assessments are designed to evaluate knowledge, analysis, application and professional judgement.
Certificate Award and Verification
Successful candidates receive:
- An ACS professional certificate
- A unique certificate number
- A secure digital record
- A digital credential or badge, where applicable
- Access to online verification
Certificates may be subject to a defined validity or renewal period. The applicable terms are stated on the individual qualification.
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