CCAB calls on government to “lead by example” in fight against money laundering

The first Manifesto for Fighting Economic Crime highlighting four key public policy areas for improvement to the effectiveness and capabilities of anti-money laundering (AML) in the UK has been published today by CCAB, the collective of five accountancy bodies - ICAEW, ACCA, CIPFA, ICAS and Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Including a clear and achievable four point plan to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing, CCAB is urging the UK government to take the lead in strengthening the AML regime, especially as the UK considers next steps regarding Brexit.

While welcoming the government’s recently published Action Plan to counter such devastating economic crime, CCAB says that the government must adopt the best supervisory practices and not allow public money to become tainted.

The CCAB has called for:

Anthony Harbinson, CCAB Chairman and Director of Safer Communities, Northern Ireland Department of Justice, said: “The bedrock of our economy and prosperity depends a great deal on the trust and integrity of financial systems. Economic crime undermines that trust – fatally so if we allow it.

“The government needs to strengthen the national AML infrastructure –which needs specialist advice and support to ensure this infrastructure is built on solid ground. Professionally trained and qualified accountants are part of the solution to tackling AML. In these uncertain times, we urge the government to take the lead in carrying these recommendations forward.”

Accompanying the Manifesto are a series of case studies,showing how wide and varied economic crime can be. The case studies help identify and explain the ways where professional accountants may become unwittingly involved in economic crime, or even come into close professional contact with individuals and groups who are undertaken criminal activities.

The case studies also include scenarios where readers are asked to consider the situation in which a professional accountant finds themselves – including cybercrime, money laundering and investment fraud. The document also includes a glossary so that readers can understand some of the terminology related to economic crime.

Mr Harbinson added: “While this manifesto is aimed at government, CCAB also recognises that the profession – professional bodies and their members - have a vital role in combatting economic crime. We need to play our part and CCAB is committed to ensure this happens. We are part of the solution, with a commitment to report any identified or suspected money laundering activity to the Anti-Money Laundering Authorities, such as the National Crime Agency.

“Individual accountants, their firms and their supervisors take their AML responsibilities very seriously but there is always room for improvement. Despite the Brexit vote result, we need to ensure that the UK government does not isolate itself from EU policy making and developments to the Anti Money Laundering Directive.

“We want to help make the UK’s AML defences as effective as possible and we firmly believe that the changes outlined in this manifesto will help bring that about.”