Fraud Specialist

ACCA Careers; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust is seeking a seasoned fraud investigations professional to join our Tempe team. You will conduct in-depth analyses of potential financial crimes, document findings, and coordinate with relationship managers, Legal, and HR to ensure rigorous investigation standards.

You will act as a subject-matter expert in fraud prevention technologies, mentor junior staff, and contribute to developing metrics that help monitor and enhance the bank's fraud program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum 5 years of financial crimes investigations experience.
• Knowledge of fraud prevention technologies and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Completes investigations to determine if financial crime has occurred.
• Supports investigations through analysis and documentation of findings.
• Interacts with partners and external parties during investigations.
• Consults with management on complex investigations and trends.
• Develops metrics to monitor work volumes and productivity.

Skills

Financial crime knowledge

Data analysis

Fraud systems familiarity

Power BI

SQL

Python

Communication skills

Investigations experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

Actimize Xceed/Guardian Analytics

Verafin

Job description

About Northern Trust

As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions.

Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide.

With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

The Key Responsibilities Of The Role Include

• Completes investigations to determine if a financial crime (fraud, money laundering, or terrorist financing) has occurred and involves Northern Trust accounts, clients, operations, or employees.
• Supports investigations through appropriate analysis/testing and documents investigative activities, findings, and conclusions.
• Interacts with partners (e.g., relationship managers, Legal Department, Human Resources) and external parties (e.g., law enforcement, other financial institutions' investigations staff) in the course of investigations, as appropriate.
• Consults with management regarding complex or sensitive investigations.
• Serves as a key subject matter expert and mentor to less experienced employees.
• May manage daily operational activities and review work of less experienced employees (but not in a formal management role).
• Develops and produces metrics used by management in monitoring work volumes, status, and productivity.
• Serves as a technical SME in areas of fraud, fraud prevention technology, and data analysis.
• Utilizes advanced data analysis techniques to detect and prevent fraud within client accounts and client-facing applications
• Reviews comprehensive reports to identify anomalous patterns, transactions, or behaviors that may indicate unauthorized activity or fraud.
• Reviews and reconciles client login and transaction anomalies, including independent decision making, direct client authentication, and transaction verification.
• Analyzes data from multiple internal and external sources to identify potentially fraudulent activity, including complex account movements involving multiple transaction channels, accounts, or client relationships.
• Conducts thorough and well-documented analysis in accordance with policies and procedures and takes appropriate action to mitigate additional fraud exposure.
• Maintains the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data, systems, policies, analyses, and highly sensitive case details, while ensuring all fraud prevention efforts are executed in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Completes process improvement initiatives and other projects assigned by management.
• Operates independently and carries out activities that are large in scope, cross-functional, and technically difficult.
• Role is balanced between operational execution and development, and execution of strategic direction of business function activities.
• Communicates findings, trends, and emerging risks to the fraud team and management to strengthen the bank's preventative posture and enhance the fraud program.

The Successful Candidate Will Benefit From Having

• In-depth financial crimes knowledge.
• Current and historical knowledge of malware variants and common attack vectors, including AI-enabled fraud, high- and low-tech social engineering, and emerging AI threats.
• Understanding of common industry client authentication processes, tools, and Internet Security.
• Understanding of traditional banking and fintech money movement systems and associated fraud risks, including wires, ACH, checks, card transactions, bill payments, Zelle, cryptocurrencies, and other digital transaction methods.
• General to advanced understanding of commercial web browsers, operating systems, and networks.
• Knowledge of Northern Trust transaction processing systems is preferred.
• A College or University degree and at least 5 years of relevant work experience are preferred.
• Related industry qualification (e.g., ACAMS, CFE) or studying towards such designation preferred.
• Experience with Actimize Xceed/Guardian Analytics, Verafin, or like tools preferred.
• Experience in phone interviewing for the identification of client impersonators and scams.
• Experience with Co-Pilot and use of agentic AI for OSINT, data analysis, and/or general work efficiency.
• Experience with advanced data analysis and reporting tools highly desirable (e.g., Power BI, advanced Excel skills, SQL, Python, Azure Log Analytics, link analysis, OSINT, etc.).
• General understanding of computer networking concepts and their application to fraud investigations, including internet service providers (ISP), internet protocol (IP), proxies, VPNs, and related online activity indicators.
• General understanding of end-user operating systems, including Windows and Apple OS
• A College or University degree and/or at least 5-7 years of relevant work experience is preferred.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).

Working with Us

As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve.

Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust’s history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities.

Reasonable Accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at [e-mail], or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.

About Our Tempe Office

The Northern Trust Tempe office opened in 2015 with 75 employees and now serves over 75 different business functions with more than 700 employees. The team is recognized as a Global Capability Center that delivers exceptional value, quality, expertise and innovation through our diverse talent.