How do I appoint my compliance officer?

Your compliance officer is automatically set to whoever created the easyAML account. You can change the compliance officer anytime through Settings > Users by updating user roles. Only one person can be the compliance officer at a time, and this role cannot be left vacant.

Why You Need a Compliance Officer

Every reporting entity must appoint a compliance officer who is responsible for:

Overseeing your AML/CTF program
Ensuring compliance with AML/CTF obligations
Acting as the primary contact for AUSTRAC
Managing risk assessments and reviews
Coordinating training and reporting

Important: If there is no appointed compliance officer, directors are personally liable for the entity's AML/CTF obligations.

Who Can Be a Compliance Officer

Your compliance officer should be someone who:

Understands your business operations
Has authority to implement compliance measures
Can dedicate time to AML/CTF oversight
Has the power to perform the role
Is of good standing

This is often the business owner, managing partner, or a senior manager. It doesn't need to be a lawyer or AML specialist - easyAML provides the tools and guidance they need.

Default Compliance Officer

When you first sign up for easyAML, the person who created the account is automatically assigned as the compliance officer. If this person is the right choice, you don't need to do anything.

How to Change the Compliance Officer

Step 1 - Click Settings on the left hand menu (the cog icon if the menu is collapsed)

Step 2 - Navigate to Users

Step 3 - Find the current compliance officer and click the pen icon in the "Actions" column to open the update user form

Step 4 - Change their role to their new role (e.g., Manager, Client Facing Staff, Admin)

Step 5 - Click the pen icon for the user you want to be the new compliance officer

Step 6 - Change the new compliance officer's role to "Compliance Officer"

The change takes effect immediately.

Important Rules About the Compliance Officer Role

Only one compliance officer at a time You cannot have multiple compliance officers or leave the role vacant. When you change someone's role away from compliance officer, you must immediately assign it to someone else.

Compliance officers cannot be disabled You cannot disable or remove the compliance officer as a user until you've transferred the role to someone else first. This prevents accidentally leaving your business without a designated compliance officer.

Role permissions Only users with appropriate permissions can change the compliance officer. If you can't see the option to change roles, contact your current compliance officer or account administrator.

When to Change Your Compliance Officer

You might need to change the compliance officer when:

The current officer is leaving the business
Someone else is better suited to the role
Business ownership or structure changes
The current officer is being promoted or changing roles
You're restructuring compliance responsibilities

What Happens When You Change

When you assign a new compliance officer:

They immediately get access to all compliance features
They receive compliance notifications and alerts
They become the AUSTRAC contact person
The previous officer loses compliance-specific access (but retains access appropriate to their new role)

Training the New Compliance Officer

When appointing a new compliance officer, ensure they:

Complete easyAML's comprehensive compliance officer training
Understand your current AML/CTF program
Know how to access and use easyAML's compliance features
Understand their legal responsibilities
Know who to contact for help (easyAML support is always available)

easyAML provides dedicated compliance officer training modules covering everything they need to know.

Your compliance officer is automatically set when you sign up for easyAML, but you can change it anytime through the Settings menu. There must always be exactly one compliance officer - you can't have multiple or leave the role vacant. You can appoint a second in charge compliance officer if you wish. If you don't have an appointed compliance officer, directors are personally liable for AML/CTF obligations.

What To Do Next

Check your current compliance officer - Go to Settings > Users to see who it is
Confirm they're the right person - Do they have the authority and time for the role?
Change if needed - Follow the steps above to reassign the role
Ensure they're trained - New compliance officers should complete the dedicated training module
Keep it current - Update the compliance officer whenever business circumstances change

Remember: The compliance officer role carries legal responsibility for your AML/CTF compliance. Choose someone who can dedicate appropriate time and attention to the role, and ensure they're properly trained using easyAML's resources.