Information and intelligence sharing

As an anti-money laundering/counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) supervisor, the IFA is obliged to co-operate with external bodies in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

Under Regulation 50 of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 the IFA must actively co-operate and share intelligence with other supervisory authorities such as professional body supervisors, HM Treasury and law enforcement. 

The IFA shares information and intelligence by using the following mechanisms.

Information sharing

AML supervisory bodies

The IFA shares information with other professional body supervisors and HMRC to ensure there is a strong AML/CTF supervisory framework. Where the IFA believes there are gaps or overlaps in the supervision of its members the IFA will liaise with the relevant supervisor to ensure that member is effectively supervised as required by legislation.

Intelligence

FCA Shared Intelligence Service

The IFA is a member of the Shared Intelligence Service (SIS) which is owned by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority. Membership enables the IFA to participate in information sharing between professional body supervisors and law enforcement on AML/CTF matters. As a member of SIS, IFA must respond to intelligence sharing enquiries from other SIS members and pro-actively input its own intelligence into the SIS.

Accountancy Intelligence Sharing Expert Working Group (Accountancy ISEWG)

The purpose of the Accountancy Intelligence Sharing Expert Working Group (Accountancy ISEWG) is to advance and improve intelligence and intelligence-related information sharing between accountancy sector professional body supervisors (PBSs), anti-money laundering (AML) statutory supervisors and law enforcement agencies. Further information on the purpose of the group is available in the terms of reference.

National Crime Agency

Regulation 46(5) of the UK Money Laundering Regulations 2017, requires a professional body supervisor which, in the course of carrying out its supervisory functions or otherwise, knows or suspects, or has reasonable ground for suspecting, that a person is or has engaged in money laundering or terrorist financing, must as soon as practicable inform the National Crime Agency.

Best practice forums  

The IFA is a member of a number of forums where best practice is shared in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

Anti-Money Laundering Supervisors Forum (AMLSF)

The Forum aims to share and develop the consistent application of best practice across all AML/CTF supervisory bodies. It liaises with the National Crime Agency, HM Treasury, Home Office, HMRC and other government agencies involved in the prevention and reduction of economic crime. Further information on the purpose of the group is available in the terms of reference.

Accountancy AML Supervisors’ Group (AASG)

The AASG (formerly known as the Accountancy Affinity Group (AAG)) is a sub-committee of the UK’s AMLSF consisting of professional body supervisors listed under Schedule 1 to the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. It is a forum in which professional bodies work collaboratively to develop accountancy sector supervisory policy to promote consistency in standards and best practice. Further information on the purpose of the group is available in the terms of reference.