Policy on money laundering
The firm has a policy to fulfill the requirements of the money laundering legislation (including, but not limited to, the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Terrorism Act 2000) and supporting authoritative guidance for the accountancy sector issued by the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies.
Our policy is:
- To ensure the risk of money laundering is addressed appropriately in respect of all clients and work undertaken.
- To ensure commercial considerations never override the need to comply with the regulations.
- To ensure sufficient resources are devoted to the development, documentation and training necessary to ensure compliance.
- To ensure that the firm appoints a suitable money laundering reporting officer to monitor compliance and is responsible for determining suspicious activity.
- To undertake a regular review of the policy, controls and procedures and update as appropriate. A written record of this exercise is maintained.
Standing details
Money laundering reporting officer (MLRO)
The MLRO is David Wilsdon
The alternate MLRO within the firm is Barry Coles
The MLRO will monitor the effectiveness of policies, procedures and processes highlighting in a written document where improvements can be made when inefficiencies are found. Risks should be monitored and any changes must be reflected in changes to policies and procedures; keeping them up-to-date, in line with the risk assessment of the business. This includes all internal assessments, training, risk evaluation and any reporting obligations as set out by the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Terrorism Act 2000) and supporting authoritative guidance for the accountancy sector issued by the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies.
Policy and procedure on due diligence
Policy
It is our policy to undertake a whole-firm risk assessment and ensure that evidence of identity is obtained and retained as appropriate to that risk assessment for all clients.
Risks are grouped into the categories Clients and Services. All risks, including those not within a category will be assessed in isolation and also when grouped together. These risks will be used to assess the CDD process.
This evidence will be obtained before work is commenced on the client or when changes occur during the relationship with the client. In all cases where the evidence is not available, the matter will be referred to the MLRO.
Procedure
Prior to appointment, when a significant transaction or change takes place, and annually, due diligence will be undertaken and reviewed on all clients. This exercise will involve considering the operation of the business and undertaking appropriate identification checks.
In order to demonstrate compliance the following forms will be completed:
Client onboarding procedure
Policy and procedure on reporting
Policy
It is our policy to report all suspicions identified to the National Crime Agency (NCA) where required.
Procedure
All staff will report suspicions to the MLRO or their alternate in his absence as soon as the suspicion arises. The report will be made using the internal reporting form providing as much detail as possible. This report will not be discussed with anyone outside of the firm and at no stage must the client be given any details of the report, without the specific authorisation of the MLRO.
On receipt of the report, the MLRO or his alternate will consider the contents, request further information where required and determine what action should be taken.
His decision will be recorded on the internal report form and then where necessary a report will be submitted to NCA on the prescribed form.
The MLRO will inform the partner in charge of the assignment of any action that he needs to take (for example, ceasing work until consent has been obtained).
Policy and procedure on record keeping (client due diligence and money laundering issues only)
Policy
It is our policy to maintain records of identification and consideration of money laundering issues for the entire period that we act for the client and for five years after we cease to act in accordance with the regulations. If we are required to retain them under statutory obligation, or to retain them for legal proceedings, or by client consent the records will be retained for not more than 10 years.
The client will be asked to give permission for the retention of copies of the documentation which will be maintained securely.
Procedure
The client due diligence form and consideration of money laundering issues’ documentation will be completed for all new clients and updated on at least an annual basis and when a significant transaction or change takes place.
This form, along with supporting documentation, will be filed at Witney Business and Innovation Centre, Windrush Park Road, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 7DX.
When we cease to act for a client this information will be archived in Witney Business and Innovation Centre, Windrush Park Road, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 7DX with a date logged. It will be passed for confidential destruction after five years.
Policy and procedure on third-party reliance
Policy
It is not generally our policy to give permission to a third party to rely on information obtained by us.
Procedure
Where you wish to place reliance on a third party or permission has been requested from a third party, the MLRO should be consulted and an appropriate response given.
Policy and procedure on internal control
Policy
It is our policy to facilitate adequate internal control to allow for compliance with the regulations and other appropriate legislation.
Procedure
As detailed below, the firm will appoint an MLRO and where appropriate an alternate.
The MLRO will be given authority to implement the necessary changes in the firm’s procedures to ensure compliance.
All partners and staff will be required to accept the changes to the office rules and partnership agreement that confer the necessary authority on the MLRO.
All partners and staff will be required to make the necessary internal reports using the standard form when they have a suspicion in respect of a client.
All partners and staff will be required to complete the fit and proper, confirmation of independence and annual declaration on an annual basis.
The firm will retain evidence of all partner and staff screening relating to skills, knowledge, expertise, conduct and integrity both before, and during the course of, their appointment. This includes knowledge of the law relating to money laundering, terrorist financing, and data protection as well as an assessment of conduct and integrity as part of the firm’s ethics training.
Policy and procedure on compliance management
Policy
It is our policy to undertake a regular compliance review to ensure that the requirements of the regulations are being followed.
Procedure
The MLRO will undertake a compliance review on an annual basis. This review will include but is not limited to:
- Consideration of the annual declaration of fit and proper status, etc. completed by all partners and staff.
- A review of a sample of files to ensure that the client due diligence pack has been completed and/or updated as necessary.
- Consideration of the adequacy of the training given to all staff and partners.
Policy and procedure on communication
Policy
It is the policy of this firm to ensure that all partners and staff have access to adequate training to ensure that they have the necessary knowledge of the law relating to money laundering, terrorist financing, and data protection and receive regular training in how to recognise and deal with suspicious transactions which may be related to money laundering or terrorist financing.
Procedure
All partners and staff will be required to:
- Undertake training for any new regulations. These include the law relating to money laundering, terrorist financing, and data protection
- Undertake training and assessment to ensure that they:
- are aware of their legal and regulatory duties;
- understand how to put those requirements into practice in their roles, including training on ethics; and
- are continuously updated about changes in, (a) the business’s AML policies, systems and controls, and (b) the money laundering risks faced.
- Consider whether they need to undertake further training on an annual basis during the appraisal process.
- Confirm their understanding of and compliance with the regulations and the firm’s policies and procedures as part of their annual declaration.