Level 1 Investigations Associate

Madison-Davis, LLC; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Madison-Davis, LLC in New York is seeking an early-career AML investigator to review alerts from transaction monitoring and sanctions screening, analyze activity, and document findings with regulatory standards. You will escalate complex cases to senior investigators and support SAR decisions while performing CDD reviews and assisting regulatory examinations within a collaborative team.

This role offers exposure to correspondent banking, international payments, and cross-border transactions,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Criminal Justice, Business, or a related field.
• 1–3 years of experience in AML, BSA, sanctions, fraud, or financial crime investigations within a financial institution.
• Experience reviewing transaction monitoring and/or sanctions screening alerts.
• Working knowledge of AML investigations, customer due diligence (CDD), and suspicious activity detection.
• Familiarity with U.S. AML regulations and financial crime compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical, investigative, critical thinking, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written communication with the ability to produce clear, thorough case documentation.
• Experience with correspondent banking, international payments, or cross-border transactions is a plus.
• CAMS certification, or the desire to obtain it, is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review and investigate alerts generated through transaction monitoring and sanctions screening systems.
• Analyze customer activity to identify unusual behavior, potential financial crime risks, or transactions requiring further review.
• Document investigative findings, supporting evidence, and case conclusions in accordance with internal policies and regulatory standards.
• Escalate higher-risk, complex, or potentially suspicious cases to senior investigators for additional review.
• Assist with investigations that may support Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) decisions.
• Review customer due diligence (CDD) information and obtain additional documentation needed to complete investigations.
• Manage Requests for Information (RFIs), including tracking responses and incorporating relevant information into case files.
• Conduct regulatory database searches and elevate potential matches as required.
• Support ongoing transaction monitoring efforts, including manual reviews when appropriate.
• Recognize emerging financial crime trends, suspicious activity indicators, and sanctions risks.
• Ensure investigations are completed accurately and within established service-level expectations.
• Assist with internal audits, regulatory examinations, and remediation efforts by maintaining complete and organized documentation.
• Work collaboratively with compliance, operations, and other business partners to resolve investigations efficiently.
• Stay current on AML, sanctions, and financial crime regulations and industry best practices.

Skills

AML investigations

Regulatory compliance

Analytical thinking

Documentation

Written communication

CDD knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Criminal Justice, Business, or related field

Tools

Transaction monitoring systems

Sanctions screening systems

Job description

Join a growing financial crimes team responsible for identifying, investigating, and escalating potential money laundering and sanctions-related activity. This role is ideal for an early-career compliance professional who enjoys investigative work, analyzing transaction activity, and supporting a strong regulatory compliance program.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review and investigate alerts generated through transaction monitoring and sanctions screening systems.
• Analyze customer activity to identify unusual behavior, potential financial crime risks, or transactions requiring further review.
• Document investigative findings, supporting evidence, and case conclusions in accordance with internal policies and regulatory standards.
• Escalate higher-risk, complex, or potentially suspicious cases to senior investigators for additional review.
• Assist with investigations that may support Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) decisions.
• Review customer due diligence (CDD) information and obtain additional documentation needed to complete investigations.
• Manage Requests for Information (RFIs), including tracking responses and incorporating relevant information into case files.
• Conduct regulatory database searches and elevate potential matches as required.
• Support ongoing transaction monitoring efforts, including manual reviews when appropriate.
• Recognize emerging financial crime trends, suspicious activity indicators, and sanctions risks.
• Ensure investigations are completed accurately and within established service-level expectations.
• Assist with internal audits, regulatory examinations, and remediation efforts by maintaining complete and organized documentation.
• Work collaboratively with compliance, operations, and other business partners to resolve investigations efficiently.
• Stay current on AML, sanctions, and financial crime regulations and industry best practices.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Criminal Justice, Business, or a related field.
• 1 3 years of experience in AML, BSA, sanctions, fraud, or financial crime investigations within a financial institution.
• Experience reviewing transaction monitoring and/or sanctions screening alerts.
• Working knowledge of AML investigations, customer due diligence (CDD), and suspicious activity detection.
• Familiarity with U.S. AML regulations and financial crime compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical, investigative, critical thinking, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written communication with the ability to produce clear, thorough case documentation.
• Experience with correspondent banking, international payments, or cross-border transactions is a plus.
• CAMS certification, or the desire to obtain it, is preferred.

This is an excellent opportunity for a detail-oriented investigator looking to build a career in financial crimes compliance while gaining exposure to AML investigations, sanctions compliance, and regulatory reporting in a collaborative team environment.