Financial Crimes Quality Assurance (QA) Analyst II

Pathward, N.A.

3h•$43,000 - $70,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Financial Crimes Quality Assurance (QA) Analyst II is responsible for executing the quality assurance program focused on Second Line of Defense (2LoD) Financial Crimes activities, including oversight, review, challenge, and governance functions across BSA/AML, Sanctions, and Fraud. This role ensures that 2LoD processes—such as alert oversight, customer risk rating governance, policy interpretation, and escalation decisions—are performed with consistency, accuracy, and in alignment with regulatory expectations and internal standards. The Analyst II will assess the effectiveness of 2LoD outputs, provide credible challenge within Compliance, and deliver insights to strengthen oversight and risk management practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Risk Management, or related field
3-5+ years of experience in Financial Crimes (AML, Sanctions, Fraud), with direct experience in 2LoD Compliance / Financial Crimes oversight, or Quality Assurance / Testing of Financial Crimes functions
Strong knowledge of BSA/AML and sanctions regulatory expectations
Strong knowledge of 2LoD roles and responsibilities within a three lines of defense model
Strong knowledge of Financial crime risk management frameworks and governance practices
Experience reviewing complex financial crime cases and providing oversight or challenge
Strong analytical and judgment skills
Ability to work independently with limited direction while managing multiple priorities and complex reviews.
Ability to assess quality of judgment and oversight (not just execution)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to influence and challenge peers within Compliance
Attention to detail with a focus on consistency and governance
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills

Nice To Haves

CAMS, CFE, CRCM, or equivalent AML certification
Experience with Transaction Monitoring, Suspicious Activity Investigations, CDD/EDD, or Sanctions compliance
Experience providing oversight and review of others' work products

Responsibilities

Perform detailed QA reviews of 2LoD casework, memos, and decisions to evaluate accuracy and completeness, appropriateness of risk-based judgments, and alignment with internal standards and regulatory expectations.
Evaluate the quality of 2LoD oversight, including whether issues are appropriately identified, escalated, and resolved.
Independently assess complex or ambiguous matters and determine whether risk-based decisions are adequately supported and documented.
Provide subject matter expertise and guidance to peers regarding QA standards, regulatory expectations, and review methodology.
Document QA findings with clear articulation of gaps in 2LoD oversight, challenge, or governance, root cause and impact on risk management effectiveness.
Assign severity ratings based on risk exposure and regulatory implications.
Independently engage stakeholders to resolve findings, evaluate corrective action plans, and validate the effectiveness of remediation efforts.
Provide independent challenge within the 2LoD function, ensuring high standards of oversight and accountability.
Support regulatory exams by demonstrating the effectiveness and rigor of 2LoD oversight and QA practices.