About this course
An established client changes ownership. Unfamiliar third parties start making payments. The explanations no longer fit the business you know. What should you notice, record and report?
This practical anti-money laundering course is written for people working in UK accountancy and related professional services. It follows Daniel, an accountant at a medium-sized practice, and the fictional Northstar Kitchens Ltd through realistic decisions about customer due diligence, unusual activity and internal escalation. Warning signs are treated as reasons to look more carefully, not proof that a client has committed a crime.
Eight short modules combine plain-English explanations, practical scenarios, knowledge checks and reflection. Learners build awareness of money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing, then consider how to apply the learning within their own firm's policies and reporting arrangements.
What learners cover
- Distinguish money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing
- Explain why accountancy and professional services can be exposed to financial crime risks
- Recognise your responsibilities and the role of the MLRO or nominated officer
- Explain customer due diligence, beneficial ownership and ongoing monitoring
- Identify unusual transactions and changes that may warrant further attention
- Separate a warning sign from a conclusion that a crime has occurred
- Record concerns clearly and follow your firm's internal reporting route
- Recognise tipping-off risks and avoid investigating a concern yourself
- Apply the learning to realistic client scenarios and your own workplace
Course content
The course is delivered in short, bite-size sections that learners can stop and restart at any point.
- Section 1
Welcome and your learning journey
Learning outcomes, the limits of awareness training, your certificate and CPD record, and an introduction to Daniel and the fictional Northstar Kitchens Ltd case study.
- Section 2
Understanding money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing
What ML, TF and PF mean, how they differ, and why accountancy services can be exposed to these risks without every unusual transaction being criminal.
- Section 3
Your AML responsibilities
Individual and organisational responsibilities, policies, controls and procedures, and the importance of knowing your MLRO, nominated officer or compliance reporting route.
- Section 4
Know your client: customer due diligence
Understanding the client and their business, beneficial ownership, a risk-based approach to due diligence and the need to keep information and monitoring up to date.
- Section 5
Recognising red flags
Changes in ownership, unfamiliar third-party payments, unusual transactions and reluctant explanations. Consider the context, record facts and avoid jumping to conclusions.
- Section 6
Something does not look right: what happens next?
Handling a concern, internal escalation, the MLRO or nominated officer's role, confidentiality and tipping-off risks. Follow the firm's process rather than investigating yourself.
- Section 7
Put it into practice
Apply your judgement to realistic accountancy scenarios, distinguish possible risks from proof, and decide what information to record and when to escalate.
- Section 8
Applying this in your organisation
Identify your own firm's policies and reporting contacts, reflect on changes to your practice, and prepare for the final assessment.
Who it is for
Accountants, bookkeepers, tax and payroll professionals, client-facing staff, practice managers and support teams in UK accountancy and related professional services. Suitable for introductory awareness or refresher learning, alongside the training required for the learner's specific role and firm's risks.
Entry requirements: No previous AML training is required. Learners should also familiarise themselves with their firm's AML policies, controls and internal reporting arrangements.
How it is delivered
Fully online and self-paced
Learners work through the course at their own pace and can pause and resume where they left off.
Any device
Works on desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile, with audio, video and written transcripts throughout.
Interactive throughout
Scenarios, exercises and images keep learners engaged rather than clicking through slides.
Knowledge checks
Short checks at the end of each section so learners can see what has landed before moving on.
Average completion time is around 1 hours, though learners can take as long as they need and return as often as they like.
How it is assessed
Knowledge checks, practical scenarios and reflection support learning throughout the course. Complete every section and pass the 12-question final assessment with an 80% pass mark. Retakes are allowed. Indicative completion time is 45 to 60 minutes.
Certification
Passing the assessment issues a WorkplaceHero certificate of completion with your name, course title, completion date, assessment result and unique verifiable reference. 1 CPD hour is added to your Passport. This is awareness learning, not a regulated qualification or a guarantee of regulatory compliance.
Refresher guidance: A suggested review date is set 12 months after completion. Your firm should determine the appropriate refresher interval based on its activities, responsibilities, risks and current professional or supervisory guidance.
How it works for teams
- 1. Choose how many licences you need and pay by card, or request an invoice.
- 2. Add your learners' names and email addresses.
- 3. They sign in to their WorkplaceHero account and start the course straight away.
- 4. Track who has been set up from your account.
Common questions
How do learners access this course?
This course is delivered here on WorkplaceHero. Each learner signs in to their own WorkplaceHero account with the email you gave us and starts the course from their online courses - there is no separate platform login. Progress updates live on your team dashboard, and the certificate and CPD log entry appear automatically on completion.
Is this AML course suitable for accountancy staff?
Yes. The examples focus on accountancy and related professional services, including client due diligence, beneficial ownership, unusual payments and internal reporting. Firms should check it against each person's role and risk exposure.
Does it cover terrorist financing and proliferation financing?
Yes. The opening section explains ML, TF and PF, their differences and their relevance to accountancy work.
Does it cover customer due diligence and red flags?
Yes. Dedicated sections cover knowing your client, beneficial ownership, ongoing monitoring and warning signs. Learners practise considering context rather than treating a warning sign as proof of wrongdoing.
Does this replace MLRO training?
No. It builds general awareness and explains internal reporting. MLROs and nominated officers may need specialist, role-specific training beyond this course.
Will it meet ICAEW, ACCA or HMRC supervision requirements?
There is no blanket guarantee. Your firm must assess training against its risks, activities and current supervisory requirements, including applicable CCAB guidance. This course does not claim approval by ICAEW, ACCA, HMRC or CCAB.
How long does it take and what is the pass mark?
Allow around 45 to 60 minutes. The final assessment contains 12 questions with an 80% pass mark, and retakes are allowed.
Do learners receive a certificate and CPD record?
Yes. Completing the sections and passing the assessment issues a WorkplaceHero certificate of completion and adds 1 CPD hour to your Passport. Individuals remain responsible for how they use this learning towards their professional requirements.
How often should staff refresh AML training?
The course suggests reviewing after 12 months, but this is not a universal regulatory rule. Your firm should decide the interval and provide updates when risks, responsibilities, policies or relevant guidance change.
Can we buy places for a whole practice?
Yes. Choose the number of course places on this page to see current team pricing. Each learner uses their own WorkplaceHero account. Course places are separate from any optional Passport for Teams subscription.
Course details
- Course version
- 1.0
- Study time
- 1 hours
- CPD hours
- 1 hour
- Pass mark
- 80%
- Assessment
- 12 questions, unlimited retakes
Accuracy and scope
This course provides general UK accountancy AML awareness. It does not replace firm-wide risk assessments, role-specific training, instructions from your MLRO or compliance team, current legislation, professional or supervisory guidance, or legal advice. Firms and individuals remain responsible for determining whether this training is sufficient for their circumstances. No supervisory-body approval or endorsement is claimed.