AML & Compliance Testing, Senior Associate

About the role

Hightower is a wealth management firm providing investment, financial, and retirement planning services. Our Compliance Department supports advisor teams with industry-leading support and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the firm’s designated AML Compliance Officer under FINRA Rule 3310.
• Maintain and enhance AML Program policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Oversee Customer Identification Program (CIP), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD).
• Ensure all OFAC checks are accomplished and documented.
• Review transaction monitoring alerts, exception reports, and surveillance outputs related to broker-dealer activity.
• Investigate potential suspicious activity and prepare, review, and file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) with FinCEN.
• Manage AML-related regulatory requests, law enforcement inquiries, and information-sharing obligations, including Sections 314(a) and 314(b).
• Deliver annual AML training to registered representatives and applicable staff.
• Oversee AML service providers, surveillance tools, and clearing firm relationships.
• Perform independent testing of compliance controls for BD and IA requirements, including supervision, fiduciary duty, disclosures, conflicts of interest, communications, and recordkeeping.
• Conduct walkthroughs, sample testing, and root-cause analysis to assess control design and operating effectiveness.
• Prepare clear, regulator-ready testing reports with findings, risk ratings, and corrective action recommendations.
• Track remediation efforts, validate closures, and maintain testing documentation for regulatory review.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 3-7+ years of experience in compliance, supervision, or a related function within a broker-dealer or RIA, with specific BSA/AML experience required.
• Strong working knowledge of FINRA Rules 3310, 3110, and 3120; BSA/AML regulations, and SEC Advisers Act requirements.
• Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for regulatory and executive audiences.
• Ability to assess and articulate regulatory distinctions between BD and IA requirements.
• Independent judgment with a collaborative, risk-based approach.
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities.

Qualifications

• Support the compliance function by completing additional projects and responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

• Compliance, supervision, or related experience.
• Understanding of FINRA Rules 3310, 3110, and 3120; BSA/AML regulations, and SEC Advisers Act requirements.
• Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to assess and articulate regulatory distinctions between BD and IA requirements.
• Independent judgment with a collaborative, risk-based approach.
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities.

Benefits

• Coverage on the first day of employment for medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid parental leave (16 weeks for primary caregiver and 8 weeks for secondary caregiver).
• Flexible PTO plan.
• Free gym in the Chicago office.
• 401k matching plan.
• Base salary of $90,000-$100,000 plus discretionary bonus (exact base salary amount will be dependent on experience).

Pay

• $90,000 - $100,000 per year.

Schedule

• Hybrid schedule with 4 days in the office.