Graduate Compliance Assistant

MCS is supporting a leading professional services firm in Belfast to recruit a Compliance Assistant to join their Risk & Compliance team.
The Job
This is an excellent opportunity for a graduate or early-career professional to join a highly regarded professional services environment and kick-start a career within Risk & Compliance. The successful candidate will work closely with the Head of Risk & Compliance, supporting the firm's onboarding, anti-money laundering, regulatory compliance, file management and quality assurance functions while gaining valuable experience in a regulated legal environment.
To support the Head of Risk & Compliance in the implementation and continuous operation of the firm's anti-money laundering, financial crime, regulatory, onboarding, file management and quality assurance frameworks, ensuring compliance and efficient service delivery.
The role is responsible for applying the firm's policies and procedures, maintaining accurate records, escalating issues appropriately and supporting an efficient and reliable compliance service to fee earners and the wider firm.
The Company
This organisation is highly regarded within the professional services sector and is known for its supportive, collaborative and high-performing culture. You will be joining a structured compliance function that values accuracy, professionalism and continuous improvement, while offering ongoing training, mentoring and career development opportunities.
Package/Benefits
* Competitive salary DOE
* Hybrid working after a successful probationary period
* 23 days annual leave + 13 statutory days
* Strong pension contribution
* Private medical insurance
* Life assurance
* Income protection
* Cycle to work scheme
* Monday - Friday working pattern
The Role
* Assist with processing new client and reactivation requests in line with AML and onboarding requirements
* Prepare and review engagement letters and onboarding documentation
* Support fee earners and clients with KYC, CDD and onboarding requirements
* Conduct client due diligence, sanctions screening, PEP checks and adverse media searches
* Support AML, financial crime and risk assessment processes across the firm
* Assist with ongoing CDD/KYC refresh activity and monitoring requirements
* Support source of funds and source of wealth reviews
* Identify and escalate potential compliance, AML, onboarding and file management risks
* Assist with compliance investigations, remediation projects and audit responses
* Support file opening, file closing, archiving, retention, retrieval and destruction processes
* Carry out file reviews, control checks and quality assurance tasks
* Support compliance with Lexcel, ISO and other quality assurance frameworks
* Maintain compliance records, registers and management information
* Support internal and external audits, compliance monitoring and continuous improvement activities
Other ad hoc duties may be required

The Person
Essential Criteria
* Relevant degree in Law, Business Studies or a related discipline
* Highly organised with strong attention to detail
* Strong written and verbal communication skills
* Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office
* Proactive with the ability to manage workload independently
* Eagerness to learn and develop a career within compliance, risk or regulatory functions
Desirable Criteria
* Exposure to, or awareness of, client onboarding or new business intake processes
* Understanding of financial crime, AML, risk management or regulatory requirements
* Experience gained through placement, internship, part-time work or employment within a legal, financial services or professional services environment
* Knowledge of compliance processes within a regulated environment

To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity, please contact Caoimhe Lawlor at MCS on 02896935495
If you have a disability, which means you require assistance at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us directly to discuss.
Honeycomb is committed to providing equality of opportunity to all.
Even if this position is not right for you, we may have others that are. Please visit MCS Group to view a wide selection of our current vacancies.