AML Investigators: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of aml investigators about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for aml investigators to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of aml investigators expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for aml investigators.
What Education & Experience is Needed for AML Investigators?
Do aml investigators need a degree? What kind of experience do aml investigators typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for aml investigators to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for AML Investigators
Jobs Postings for AML Investigators By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 3,291 (39%)
- High School or GED: 2,035 (24%)
- No Education Listed: 1,760 (21%)
- Master's degree: 965 (11%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 350 (4%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of aml investigators. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 39% of positions. In 24% of job listings a High School diploma or GED was required and in 21% of postings no education level was listed.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for AML Investigators
Jobs Postings for AML Investigators By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 1,051 (22%)
- 2-3 Years: 1,957 (41%)
- 4-6 Years: 1,484 (31%)
- 7-9 Years: 117 (2%)
- 10+ Years: 142 (3%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for aml investigators. In 41% of job postings for AML Investigators, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 31% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience, while 0-1 years of experience was sought in 22% of job postings for aml investigators.
What Kind of Degree Do AML Investigators Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for aml investigators, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 9 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective aml investigators, and in 2021 a total of 132,423 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective aml investigators.
Top Degree Programs for AML Investigators
Top 5 Degree Programs for AML Investigators (2021)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Accounting. | 71,881 |
| Finance, General. | 51,430 |
| Accounting and Finance. | 3,644 |
| Taxation. | 1,546 |
| Accounting and Business/Management. | 1,537 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Accounting. | 71,881 |
| Finance, General. | 51,430 |
| Accounting and Finance. | 3,644 |
| Taxation. | 1,546 |
| Accounting and Business/Management. | 1,537 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | 991 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other. | 814 |
| Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation. | 417 |
| Auditing. | 163 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for AML Investigators
Develop the foundational financial skills needed to keep business running successfully, including financial reporting and analysis, managerial accounting, and federal taxes, so you can start your career as an accounting technician, tax preparer, payroll assistant and more.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Turn a head for numbers into a career as a financial associate or analyst, and help businesses turn financial data into actionable insights that can maximize investments, improve cash flow, and impact decisionmaking.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Master finance principles and develop all-inclusive corporate finance strategies for business firms and financial institutions.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Stay Sarbanes-Oxley compliant and promote a fraud-prevention culture while preparing for professional certifications like the CFE.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Distinguish yourself as a knowledgeable accounting professional with advanced technical, research, and communication skills.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 17
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Grab a chair at the leadership table with Franklin’s 17-month M.S. in Accounting with a focus in Financial Operations. In this 100% online program, you’ll learn to think critically, communicate effectively and leverage technology in innovative ways.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Master financial analysis tools and tactics that provide the knowledge you need to contribute at a strategic level with Franklin’s 12-month online accredited MBA with a Specialization in Finance.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do AML Investigators Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by aml investigators to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for aml investigators, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's AML Investigators
Based on 6,852 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for AML Investigators
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Auditing | 2,092 | 31% |
| Accounting | 1,683 | 25% |
| Finance | 1,328 | 19% |
| Law Enforcement | 1,241 | 18% |
| Loans | 940 | 14% |
Top 5 Common Skills for AML Investigators
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 2,682 | 39% |
| Investigation | 2,499 | 36% |
| Management | 2,066 | 30% |
| Operations | 1,532 | 22% |
| Writing | 1,468 | 21% |
Based on 6,852 job postings related to aml investigators, auditing was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 31% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for accounting, finance, law enforcement, loans and financial services were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communications was the most desired skill found in job postings for aml investigators, followed by investigation, management, operations, writing and customer service.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Auditing | 2,092 | 31% |
| Accounting | 1,683 | 25% |
| Finance | 1,328 | 19% |
| Law Enforcement | 1,241 | 18% |
| Loans | 940 | 14% |
| Financial Services | 932 | 14% |
| Anti Money Laundering | 917 | 13% |
| Bank Secrecy Act | 741 | 11% |
| Economics | 739 | 11% |
| Risk Management | 705 | 10% |
| Marketing | 670 | 10% |
| Financial Analysis | 658 | 10% |
| Financial Statements | 642 | 9% |
| Title Insurance | 639 | 9% |
| Data Analysis | 592 | 9% |
| Office Of Foreign Assets Controls | 530 | 8% |
| Financial Institution | 488 | 7% |
| Liens | 478 | 7% |
| Real Estate Transactions | 474 | 7% |
| Mortgage Loans | 472 | 7% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 2,682 | 39% |
| Investigation | 2,499 | 36% |
| Management | 2,066 | 30% |
| Operations | 1,532 | 22% |
| Writing | 1,468 | 21% |
| Customer Service | 1,411 | 21% |
| Detail Oriented | 1,291 | 19% |
| Microsoft Office | 1,158 | 17% |
| Research | 1,149 | 17% |
| Sales | 1,057 | 15% |
| Microsoft Excel | 1,010 | 15% |
| Real Estate | 1,005 | 15% |
| Organizational Skills | 935 | 14% |
| Leadership | 846 | 12% |
| Problem Solving | 825 | 12% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 797 | 12% |
| Collections | 710 | 10% |
| Business Administration | 694 | 10% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 685 | 10% |
| Self-Motivation | 674 | 10% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about aml investigators? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for aml investigators.
What do aml investigators do?
How much do aml investigators make?
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