Compliance & Regulation

AFSL Compliance Done Right: My Journey in Financial Services Risk & Governance

In today’s fast-evolving regulatory landscape, Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) holders face increasing scrutiny, especially across OTC derivatives, retail client onboarding, and cross-border operations. I’ve spent the last several years immersed in this environment, building systems, drafting documentation, and ensuring that the businesses I support operate with compliance, integrity, and commercial focus.

This post outlines my hands-on experience in AFSL compliance roles, showcasing the core functions I’ve delivered, and how I’ve helped businesses grow under the weight of regulatory complexity.

Leading Compliance at a Securities Broker & Foreign Exchange Provider

At Macro Global Markets, I play a lead role in building the compliance function from the ground up. As a business operating under its own AFSL, the compliance demands are multifaceted, ranging from everyday KYC procedures to governance over complex trading products.

Here’s what I contribute:

• Policy & Procedure Development: Author and maintain the company’s key compliance documents including the Financial Services Guide (FSG), AML/CTF Program, Target Market Determinations (TMDs), Breach Register, and Complaints Handling Procedures.
• Regulatory Liaison & License Management: Ensure ongoing obligations under Section 912A of the Corporations Act are met, while handling correspondence with ASIC and compliance consultants. Participate in internal compliance reviews and board-level discussions around responsible management.
• Client Onboarding & KYC Systems: Lead the design and implementation of digital onboarding workflows. Verify client identification and ensure all KYC/AML procedures align with the AML Rules and FATF/DFAT guidance.
• Marketing & Disclosure Oversight: Review all outbound marketing campaigns, client communications, and platform disclosures for compliance with ASIC’s RG227 and general conduct obligations.
• Cross-Border Strategy: Assist in reviewing partnerships and technology integrations involving third-party liquidity providers and international vendors, ensuring legal risk and compliance risks are addressed.

With a deep understanding of the ins and outs of AFSL requirements and expectations among regulators such as ASIC, AFCA, AUSTRAC and more, coupled with the customer experience and expectations in line with these regulations, I bring extensive experience to regulated businesses.

Areas of Specialisation

I specialise in building practical, scalable compliance solutions for early-stage or growing financial services firms. My experience includes:

• OTC Derivatives & CFDs
• White-Label Broker Structures
• Responsible Manager (RM)
• AML/CTF Program Execution
• Compliance Registers & Audits
• Client Classification (Retail vs. Wholesale)
• Product Governance and Distribution Obligations
• Complaint Resolution & Breach Reporting

A Commercial Mindset for a Regulated World

What sets me apart is the ability to balance compliance and growth. Many businesses struggle to align regulatory obligations with revenue goals, especially in the early stages. I understand the entrepreneurial pressures of launching new products, entering new markets, and automating processes while maintaining full compliance.

If you’re looking for someone who can handle compliance responsibilities without slowing down innovation, that’s where I deliver the most value.

Looking for Senior Compliance & Risk Roles

I’m open to opportunities where I can make a meaningful impact, in a dedicated Compliance Manager role supporting license obligations and internal governance frameworks.

I’m based in Australia and open to remote or hybrid arrangements with organisations that value integrity, forward-thinking, and commercial alignment.

A Systematic Approach to Risk & Compliance

Prevention is better than cure.
Many compliance issues can be avoided altogether with the right systems and foresight. My method starts by mapping regulatory requirements to practical workflows—integrating compliance into the daily operations of marketing, sales, onboarding, and service delivery.

Here’s how I approach it:

1. Know the Rules – Understand obligations under the Corporations Act, AML/CTF Rules, RG227, RG271, and other relevant guidance.
2. Build Smart Systems – Implement repeatable workflows that detect red flags early.
3. Apply Data-Driven Monitoring – Use onboarding, transaction, and behavior data to spot anomalies and report concerns before escalation.

Compliance is not a standalone function, it begins at first contact with a potential client and continues throughout the entire lifecycle. Whether it’s filtering out suspicious inquiries or ensuring sales and marketing are properly disclosed, every department has a role to play.

Compliance Through Team Training

One of the most overlooked elements of a strong compliance culture is training.
Staff who understand their role in protecting the business from risk are a compliance officer’s best asset.

I deliver training that covers:

• The do’s and don’ts of regulated conversations
• Identifying suspicious activity or unusual patterns
• Proper client classification (retail vs. wholesale)
• Compliant onboarding and verification processes

With clear, actionable training, your team becomes the first line of defence against breaches, fraud, and misrepresentation.

Working Proactively with Regulators

I’ve worked directly with regulatory bodies including ASIC, AFCA, and AUSTRAC, supporting businesses through audits, remediation, and breach reporting processes.

A proactive, cooperative relationship with regulators is key. That means:

• Submitting timely reports
• Maintaining clean, audit-ready documentation
• Providing evidence when needed
• Demonstrating preventative controls and improvement plans

In cases where something does go wrong, I’ve led responses that focus on transparency, resolution, and future-proofing, often resulting in better long-term outcomes than reactive firefighting.

The Outcome: Commercial Compliance That Scales

My goal is to make compliance a business enabler, not a bottleneck.
With the right systems, team training, and communication protocols, compliance becomes second nature, giving directors and Responsible Managers confidence while maintaining trust with clients and regulators.

If you’re building or scaling a regulated financial services business, I’d be happy to explore how I can support your compliance function.