Hiring Guide: How to Spot Top AML Talent in an Interview

The demand for highly skilled Anti-Money Laundering (AML) professionals in Canada is growing faster than ever, driven by increased regulatory scrutiny, evolving criminal tactics and rapid advancements in compliance technology. In fact, the Canadian AML solutions market is projected to grow from USD $230.3 million in 2024 to USD $564.9 million by 2030, a compound annual growth rate of 16.3%, making it one of the fastest-growing compliance sectors in North America (Grand View Research).  

Hiring the right people for these critical roles is crucial. The best candidates bring a combination of technical mastery with sharp analytical instincts, strong communication skills and uncompromising integrity. Below, we outline the core soft and hard skills every AML pro should have, with sample questions for you to ask in interviews and what to listen/watch for in their answers.

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Soft Skills for AML Professionals

Analytical Curiosity

Why it matters: This skill enables deeper investigations, connecting disparate data points to uncover hidden risks.

Sample questions to ask:

• “Tell me about a time when you uncovered something unusual in a transaction review. What made you dig deeper?”

• “Walk me through your process when a case doesn’t match typical red flags.”

What to look for: Methodical, step-by-step thinking; probing beyond the obvious; eagerness to explain reasoning, not just outcomes.

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Clear Communication

Why it matters: AML professionals must translate complex findings into plain-language reports for regulators, executives and law enforcement.

Sample questions to ask:

• “Here’s a short scenario: <DESCRIBE SCENARIO>. Explain it to me as if I’m a senior leader unfamiliar with AML.”

• “How do you adjust your communication for different audiences?”

What to look for: Clarity, logical flow and correct use of terminology without jargon overload; audience awareness and concise delivery.

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Collaboration Across Functions

Why it matters: AML work requires cooperation with IT, risk, legal and operations teams to implement effective controls.

Sample questions to ask:

• “Describe a time when you worked with another department to resolve a compliance issue.”

• “How do you handle conflicts when stakeholders have different priorities?”

What to look for: Empathy, respect for others’ expertise and a solution-focused mindset.

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Adaptability

Why it matters: Criminal tactics, technology and regulations shift rapidly; adaptability ensures AML pros can pivot without losing effectiveness.

Sample questions to ask:

• “Tell me about a time when a regulatory change impacted your work. How did you adjust?”

• “How do you stay ahead of industry changes?”

What to look for: Calmness under change, proactive learning habits and ability to implement new processes quickly.

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Ethical Judgment & Integrity

Why it matters: AML decisions often carry legal and reputational implications; strong ethics maintain compliance and trust.

Sample questions to ask:

• “What would you do if you discovered that a high-value client engaged in suspicious activity?”

• “Have you made an unpopular compliance decision before? Describe it, including the result.”

What to look for: Answers grounded in policy, law and ethical principles, even if it meant pushback or client loss.

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Hard Skills for AML Professionals

Knowledge of PCMLTFA & Canadian AML Regulations

Why it matters: Programs must align with the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) and FINTRAC guidance.

Sample questions to ask:

• “Walk me through the core requirements of PCMLTFA as they apply to [industry].”

• “What changed in the March 2025 amendments?”

What to look for: Accurate, up-to-date knowledge, mention of specific sections and awareness of practical applications.

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KYC / CDD / EDD Procedures

Why it matters: Proper due diligence—especially for high-risk clients—is the foundation of compliance.

Sample questions to ask:

• “How would you onboard a politically exposed person (PEP)?”

• “What triggers enhanced due diligence in your process?”

What to look for: A structured, risk-based approach, correct terminology and adherence to policy.

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Transaction Monitoring & STR Filing

Why it matters: Detecting and reporting suspicious activity is a legal and reputational safeguard.

Sample questions to ask:

• “Here’s a sample transaction pattern: <DESCRIBE PATTERN>. Would this trigger an STR? Why?”

• “What are Canada’s STR filing timelines?”

What to look for: Familiarity with thresholds, red flags, timelines and FINTRAC reporting systems.

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Beneficial Ownership Verification

Why it matters: Required under Canada’s public beneficial ownership registry rules for identifying individuals with significant control.

Sample questions to ask:

• “How do you confirm beneficial ownership for a corporate client?”

• “What challenges have you faced with incomplete BO info?”

What to look for: Awareness of Corporations Canada’s registry, supporting documentation and escalation protocols.

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Sanctions Screening & List Management

Why it matters: Screening prevents prohibited transactions under Canadian and international sanctions lists.

Sample questions to ask:

• “How would you resolve a potential sanctions match?”

• “How do you keep up with sanctions changes?”

What to look for: A clear escalation process, record-keeping diligence and awareness of list updates.

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AML Technology & Data Tools

Why it matters: Proficiency in tools like Actimize, Verafin and World-Check improves detection accuracy.

Sample questions to ask:

• “What AML systems have you used and what role did you play in tuning alerts?”

• “Have you used AI-enabled tools? What impact did they have?”

What to look for: Familiarity with specific systems, ability to configure/tune alerts, and awareness of efficiency gains.

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Report Writing & Documentation

Why it matters: Quality reports support audits, exams and law enforcement actions.

Sample questions to ask:

• “How do you structure investigation reports?”

• “Describe how you make an investigation report clear for non-technical audiences.”

What to look for: Organized structure, concise summaries and plain-language clarity without losing detail.

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Data Analysis & Pattern Recognition

Why it matters: Identifying hidden risks and reducing false positives strengthens compliance programs.

Sample questions to ask:

• “Tell me about a time when you spotted a risk pattern others missed.”

• “What analytics tools have you used to improve detection?”

What to look for: Real examples of using data to improve processes, beyond running standard reports.

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Final Thoughts  

Hiring AML talent in Canada requires balanced evaluation. Hiring managers must assess both the hard skills that meet regulatory requirements and the soft skills required to navigate complex human and organizational dynamics.  

Use these questions and spotting tips to build a team that’s not only compliant today, but adaptable for tomorrow’s challenges.  

If you’re looking for the right AML professionals — from analysts to senior compliance leaders — we’re here to support you. Our team specializes in finding exceptional AML talent to help you strengthen your compliance program and stay ahead of regulatory demands. Learn more about our AML experience HERE.  

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