AML Analyst

Lamwork; United States; On-site; USD 70,578 - 86,262; Full time

Job summary

Lamwork is seeking an AML Analyst to monitor financial transactions and ensure compliance with BSA/AML regulations. Responsibilities include analyzing suspicious activity alerts, conducting due diligence, and filing Suspicious Activity Reports.

The ideal candidate will possess strong technical skills in compliance, as well as certifications such as CAMS or CFE. This position offers a competitive salary based on experience and role complexity within the financial industry.

Qualifications

• Experience with transaction monitoring systems in banking or fintech environments.
• Strong understanding of KYC/CDD/EDD processes.
• Ability to prioritize compliance tasks under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Analyze transaction monitoring alerts for suspicious activity.
• Perform customer due diligence on clients.
• File Suspicious Activity Reports complying with regulations.
• Conduct sanctions screening and PEP watchlist reviews.
• Review KYC documentation for compliance.

Skills

Transaction Monitoring Systems

SAR Preparation and Filing

KYC/CDD/EDD Execution

OFAC and Sanctions Screening

LexisNexis and World-Check Proficiency

Analytical Thinking

Attention to Detail

Written Communication

Regulatory Judgment

Case Management

Education

Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

Certified Financial Crime Specialist (CFCS)

Certified Anti-Money Laundering & Financial Crimes Professional (CAMLFC)

Job description

AML Analyst Overview

AML Analysts monitor financial transactions, investigate suspicious activity, and ensure BSA/AML regulatory compliance. They work through transaction monitoring alerts, conduct customer due diligence, file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), and screen names against OFAC and PEP watchlists within tight regulatory timelines.

2. AML Analyst Key Responsibilities

• Analyze transaction monitoring alerts to identify patterns consistent with money laundering or terrorist financing typologies, resolving cases within defined regulatory timeframes.
• Perform customer due diligence and enhanced due diligence on new and existing clients, assigning risk ratings and flagging complex ownership structures for escalation.
• Prepare and file Suspicious Activity Reports with accurate five‑Ws narratives and complete documentation in compliance with FinCEN reporting obligations.
• Conduct sanctions screening and PEP watchlist reviews, adjudicating alerts as true or false positives and escalating confirmed matches through established protocols.
• Review KYC documentation during client onboarding and periodic review cycles, communicating with business lines to collect required records and close compliance gaps.

3. AML Analyst Required Skills

Lamwork's review of AML Analyst postings shows that employers consistently prioritize candidates who combine technical compliance knowledge with strong investigative instincts across both banking and fintech environments.

• Hard Skills: Transaction Monitoring Systems, SAR Preparation and Filing, KYC/CDD/EDD Execution, OFAC and Sanctions Screening, LexisNexis and World‑Check Proficiency
• Soft Skills: Analytical Thinking, Attention to Detail, Written Communication, Regulatory Judgment, Case Management

Typical Career Progression

• Junior AML Analyst
• AML Analyst
• Senior AML Analyst
• AML Compliance Manager

Most professionals reach the senior level within five to seven years of entering the field, depending on caseload complexity and the scope of the programs they support. Advancement is typically driven by the breadth of typologies handled, proficiency with enterprise monitoring platforms, and the ability to take on escalated investigations or contribute to program governance.

5. AML Analyst Certifications

Certified Anti‑Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) – the industry's most recognized credential for AML professionals

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) – strengthens investigative credibility across financial crime functions

Certified Financial Crime Specialist (CFCS) – broad credential spanning AML, sanctions, and fraud disciplines

Certified Anti‑Money Laundering & Financial Crimes Professional (CAMLFC) – valued for roles with combined AML and financial crime scope

6. AML Analyst Salary in the United States

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track AML Analyst as a separate occupation. Based on the closest related role, Compliance Officers, the median annual salary is $78,420 per year, according to the most recent available data.

Pay in this field moves significantly based on the type of institution employing the analyst, the complexity of the compliance program (including cross‑jurisdictional scope), and whether the analyst holds certifications such as CAMS or CFCS that signal specialized expertise.