FinCrime Investigator - AML Investigations

Wise And Co•Austin, TX

37d•$31•Hybrid

About The Position

As a FinCrime Operations Investigator , you will play a critical role in safeguarding Wise and its customers from financial crime. You will be responsible for investigating and analyzing customer accounts, transactions and activities on our platform to detect and prevent money laundering, fraud, and other illicit activities. You will leverage your expertise to identify suspicious patterns, conduct thorough investigations, and ensure compliance with AML/CTF regulations and internal policies and procedures, all while adhering to Wise's risk appetite. This role offers a unique opportunity to deepen your expertise in the FinCrime domain, contribute to a rapidly growing global company, and make a tangible impact on protecting our users and the integrity of our platform.

Requirements

Strong verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to produce clear, concise, accurate, and professional reports, summaries, and customer communications. Additional languages are a plus.
2+ years of experience in operations, compliance, or a related field, preferably with exposure to financial crime or AML processes.
Proven ability to conduct thorough and objective investigations, analyze complex data, and draw logical conclusions.
Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen attention to detail.
Excellent documentation skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly, concisely, and accurately for both internal and external use, ensuring all decisions are thoroughly supported.
Ability to work independently and make decisions within well-defined procedures.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask, prioritize effectively, and manage time efficiently in challenging situations.
Willingness to work flexible hours, including shifts, weekends, and public holidays as needed.
Proactive attitude with a willingness to learn and develop in the financial crime domain.
Ability to work autonomously within established procedures and practices.
Ability to work autonomously, proactively identifying and addressing tasks independently by applying learned procedures and best practices. This role requires taking initiative and effectively resolving issues within established frameworks.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Law, Criminal Justice, or a related field.
Experience in financial services, compliance, or a related field, with a focus on FinCrime investigations
Relevant certifications such as CAMS, CFCS, ICA, or equivalent.
Experience working in a global financial institution or fintech company.
Knowledge of SQL or other data analysis tools.

Responsibilities

Conduct in-depth investigations of potentially suspicious activity, utilizing both internal and external data sources.
Analyze complex financial transactions and customer behavior to identify patterns indicative of money laundering, fraud, or other financial crimes.
Evaluate and assess alerts generated by transaction monitoring systems and other detection tools.
Gather and analyze supporting documentation, including KYC information, transaction records, and other relevant data.
Review and interpret data to identify patterns and potential risks associated with financial crime. Support the team in making informed decisions based on data insights.
Prepare detailed and comprehensive investigation reports, documenting findings and recommendations.
Act as a point of escalation for complex FinCrime cases from other operations teams, providing guidance and expertise.
Mentor and train other team members on FinCrime investigation techniques and best practices.
Collaborate with product and engineering teams to improve fraud detection rules, processes, and system enhancements.
Stay up-to-date on emerging FinCrime trends, typologies, and regulatory changes.
Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, including compliance, legal, and customer support teams.
Liaise with financial institutions and law enforcement agencies as needed.
Participate in ad-hoc projects and initiatives related to FinCrime prevention and detection.
Maintain accurate and complete records of all investigations and related activities.
Provide input on process improvements and backlog exercises.
Complete all company-assigned mandatory, refresher or ad hoc trainings on time and with diligence.
Communicate clearly, professionally, and empathetically with customers via approved channels to obtain necessary details or clarifications for reviews, always upholding our high customer experience standards. A key part of this involves avoiding unnecessary customer contacts and preventing delayed case resolutions. All communication must be precisely tailored to ensure clarity and efficiency. All communication must be precisely tailored to ensure clarity and efficiency.
Take a proactive approach to consistently achieve individual and team targets (KPIs, SLAs, QA), demonstrating a strong commitment to both quality and speed. This includes meeting deadlines reliably, optimizing processing times, and taking full ownership and accountability for all responsibilities to deliver exceptional results.
Perform additional tasks as assigned by your lead, demonstrating adaptability and a proactive approach. This includes actively participating in meetings, training, and internal events to support broader team and company objectives.