Accreditation and MQF level
The accreditation status of this programme is a ‘‘Higher Education Programme’’. A CPD Award accredited with 4 ECTS credits (MQF/EQF Level 5) by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) in Financial Services & MLRO will be presented to delegates who obtain a minimum pass in the relative assignment.
Target Audience
Students reading a degree in financial services; directors and senior managers in financial services; and professionals working in financial services including compliance and risk officers, such as:
- Due Diligence Officers
- Compliance Officers
- MLROs
- Designated Employees
- Company Directors
- Auditors
- Lawyers
- AML Subject Persons
- Finance Professionals
- Risk Officers/ Managers
Entry requirements
- The entry requirements for this course are a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent MQF Level 4 qualifications OR minimum of 3 years working within business administration as compliance officer.
- This course welcomes individuals from the legal age of 18 onwards.
Duration & Mode of Attendance
This part-time course is made up of 8 live online evening webinar sessions which are spread over a period of 8 weeks.
Course Delivery Mode – Live Webinars
This course will be delivered via live online webinars. The course trainers will be visible on screen via a professional webinar platform through which students can follow the trainer presenting live whilst also using a powerpoint presentation and sharing other resources as necessary. Students will be able to interact with the trainer by sending questions or comments through the same webinar platform. Our student support team will assist all students with simple instructions on how to access the webinar online. A support line will also be made available to communicate with a student support officer in case of technical difficulties encountered during the live webinar.
Trainers will also dedicate very regular Q & A times during the webinar to ensure all students can have the chance to ask questions and reach the intended learning objectives. The email and contact details of the trainer will also be made available in case students would wish to get in touch with the trainer throughout the course period. Online recordings or videos of the webinars are not available for this course.
Short 10 minute breaks will be given during the webinar.
How You’ll Learn
This course will be delivered via live online webinars. The course trainers will be visible on screen via a professional webinar platform, through which students can follow the trainer presenting live, whilst also using a PowerPoint presentation and sharing other resources as necessary.
Students will be able to interact with the trainer by sending questions or comments through the same webinar platform.
The course will also make use of:
- Online Presentations
- Video Lecturing;
- Q&A via online course forum;
- Online Q&A with Educator (Trainer).
The above are considered to be contact hours as all of the above will be under control of the instructor.
Method of Assessment
At the end of the course, students will be presented with the assignment questions, where students have four or five questions and need to choose three. The total word count for the total assignment is 3,000 words. Students need to submit the assignment as per the submission date on the assignment questions document provided.
Grading: The assignment questions will be corrected and students must achieve a pass mark of at least 50 marks, in order to be given a certification.
Language of course instruction & course materials
The course materials and the live webinars are in English.
Course Dates
| Modules |
Dates |
Time |
| Module 1 : Award in The Regulatory Framework within Financial Services (MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS) |
11/07, 18/07 |
17:30 – 20:30 |
| Module 2 : Award in The High Level Regulatory Requirements (MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS) |
25/07, 01/08 |
17:30 – 20:30 |
| Module 3 : Award in Sectoral Requirements & Regulations (MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS) |
08/08, 22/08 |
17:30 – 20:30 |
| Module 4 : Award in Corporate Governance System & the Role of Governance (MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS) |
29/08, 05/09 |
17:30 – 20:30 |
Please note that as per terms and conditions, LEAD Training Services reserves the right to alter course dates, times and venue in exceptional circumstances beyond its control.
Total Hours of Learning
This is an accredited course, which requires students to commit themselves and to be responsible for their own studies. Below is a suggested guideline of the number of hours each student should dedicate to self-studying and preparing for the final written assignment.
Total Course Contact Hours
(Live Online Webinars) |
24 |
Total Course Suggested Self-Study Hours
(reading for interest & further knowledge) |
120 |
Total Course Supervised Placement and Practice Hours
(Work placement supervision) |
0 |
Total Course Suggested Assessment Hours
(Take home assignment) |
20 |
Course Outline
Module 1 - Award in The Regulatory Framework within Financial Services (MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS)
Trainer: Mr. Mark Laurence Zammit
ECTS credits: 1
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will be able to:
- Advise on the purpose of regulations within financial services
- Carry out the duties that are required by a Money Laundering Reporting Officer
- Prepare Company’s Policies that are required by regulations
- Gain awareness of the purpose of the regulations and protections for savers and investors
- Gain a general understanding of the regulatory framework for the various sectors within financial services
- Gain a general understanding of the financial services regulations and European Union and the role of new players such as ESMA, EIOPA and the European Banking Regulator
- Understand the role of the Money Laundering Reporting Officer vis-à-vis the role of the Compliance Officer
- Apply the financial services requirements as part of his/her company’s policies
- Assess the roles of different players and regulators and identify the role of his/her Company within such sphere
- Prepare Company’s policies addressing the functions of regulators and different roles the various players in financial services.
By the end of this module, students will be exposed to:
- The evolution of European integration
- The European Treaties
- European Institutions
- European System of Financial Supervision
- Post-Lisbon supervisory and legislative framework
- EU Capital Markets Union
- EU Common Market
- Evolving Financial Services
- EU Consumer Protection
- An Intro to the Digital Single Market
Module 2 – Award in The High Level Regulatory Requirements (MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS)
Trainer: Dr Rakele Cini
ECTS credits: 1
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will be able to:
- Advise on high level regulations
- Prepare policies and procedures on anti-money laundering and financial markets abuse
- Identify scenarios of conflicts of interest and manage such situations effectively
- Understanding of the financial markets abuse requirements
- Appreciate the importance of the management of conflicts of interest and prepare policies and procedures in this respect
- Appreciate the requirements for ‘fitness and properness’ of key individuals and the process by the MFSA in terms of regulations
- Appreciate the importance of promoting a good compliance culture and the methodologies for achieving this objective
- Prepare policies and procedures as required in terms of the anti-money laundering and counter funding of terrorism regulations and financial markets abuse
- Apply proper compliance as the integral part of the Company’s culture such as:
- The Local Set-up
- Company Law and Registry of Companies
- Role of Directors
- Role of Company Secretary
- The MLRO
- MFSA Codes of Conduct
Module 3 – Award in Sectoral Requirements and Regulations (MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS)
Trainer: Mr. Mark Laurence Zammit
ECTS credits: 1
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the module/unit the learner would have gained a general understanding of the purpose of the following legislations and applicable regulations:
- Investment Services Act and Investment Services
- Banking Act and the role of the European Banking Regulator
- Financial Institutions Act and applicable regulations
- Investor and Depositor Compensation Schemes and applicable regulations
- Insurance Intermediaries Act and Insurance Intermediaries Rules
- Insurance Business Act and Insurance Rules
- MFSA Rules
- An Intro on FinTech
At the end of the module the learner will also be able to:
- Understand anti-money laundering and counter funding of terrorism requirements in terms of the local requirements such as:
- New AML/CFT Regulations
- Regulations on the UBO registers
- 4AMLD and subsequent Developments
- Terrorism and Terrorist Financing
- Prepare policies and procedures as required in terms of different regulations
- Manage compliance risk in line with financial services regulations
- Assess the level of applicability of regulations in line with the functions performance and licenses of the Company
Module 4 - Award in Corporate Governance System and the Role of Compliance (MQF/EQF Level 5, 1 ECTS)
Trainer: Dr Rakele Cini, James Grech
ECTS credits: 1
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will be able to:
- Advise on the role of the compliance officer as part of the internal governance;
- Carry out the duties that are required for a compliance officer in financial services and in line with the expectations of the MFSA
- Understand the importance of good corporate governance and the role of the directors in particular non-executive directives and executive directors
- Gain awareness of the internal governance system and the role of the internal auditor, risk officer and the compliance officer as part of this system
- Understand the compliance officer’s roles and responsibilities
- Describe the methodologies for managing and mitigating compliance risk
- Understand what is meant by hand-on compliance tasks
- Apply the knowledge gained in the module as part of his/her day-to-day compliance functions
- Implement effective compliance duties
- Manage compliance risk including risks for:
- Compliance Officer
- Risk Officer
- Internal Auditor
- Financial Controller
Trainers
James Grech
James Grech graduated with a Bachelor of Business and Commerce Degree in 2001 and later on obtained the Accountancy (Honours) degree from the University of Malta in 2003. James is Certified Public Accountant and holds a Practising Certificate in Auditing issued by the Ministry of Finance in Malta. He is also qualified as Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and member of ISACA. James is also a member of the Institute of Internal Auditing (US), and is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). The CIA is the only internationally accepted certification designation for internal auditors and is the standard by which individuals demonstrate their competence and professionalism in the internal auditing and Management Consultancy field.
James is a renowned Business Consultant and Management/Business trainer and conference speaker in Malta and is also founder and Managing Director of LEAD Training Services, one of Malta’s largest professional training Institute licensed by the Malta Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (MFHEA).
Dr. Rakele Cini
Dr Rakele Cini is an independent legal consultant with many years of experience in AML/CFT, regulatory and compliance advisory. She primarily advises local & international firms / practitioners operating within the regulated industries on matters relating to the prevention of money laundering & funding of terrorism, due diligence, risk management, good governance, and other compliance areas. She is invited to lecture regularly by private institutions and regulatory bodies on these topics. She was previously head of Risk & Compliance at BDO Malta and, prior to that, formed part of the practice protection group at Deloitte Malta for numerous years.
Mr. Mark Laurence Zammit
An experienced Banking, Insurance and Financial Services Professional with over 25 years experience within the Retail Banking, Financial Services and Insurance Sectors and also Business Consultancy.
Mark has been qualified with a Masters degree in Insurance & Risk Management from the University of Malta and as an independent Risk Manager with particular experience in VAR, RMICAAP, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery for a number of Funds and SICAVs. He has also just recently acquired certification in International Business Law from the City University in London.
Mark has over the years built his experience in Operations Management, Recruitment and Training and Risk Management. This experience has led Mark to branch out on his own and create ATCS Consultancy Ltd which specializes in legally certified translations. Mark also takes on a number of Risk Consultancy roles of licensed entities within the Malta Financial Services Industry and is an independently licensed Risk Manager via AIRMIC (London) and MFSA (Malta). He is also an active member of FERMA and has recently acquired RIMAP certification.
Mark currently holds the position of Chief Risk and Compliance Officer with RCI Insurance Ltd in which he oversees Internal Control, Risk Management, Legal and Compliance teams and functions. He is responsible for creating and reviewing all legal contracts and product wording for terms and conditions under the Insurance Distribution Directive. He is also responsible for all areas of law including complaints, arbitration, mediation and litigation.
Testimonials
- The course was well-organised, with regular communication regarding the upcoming classes and study materials available for downloading. Extremely informative sessions with well-versed and experienced lecturers.
K. Bisset-Jackson, June 2022
- It was a very interesting and relevant course. The tutors were very knowledgeable and helpful. There was plenty of time was to complete the assignment, and the course was just the right duration. I would highly recommend LEAD Training Services and this course.
C. Gauci, February 2022
Course Funding Options
For Individuals
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GET QUALIFIED SCHEME
Candidates can benefit from a 70% rebate of the course fee via tax credit. Get Qualified is an initiative that supports the personal development of individuals for the achievement of qualifications and certifications required by industry.
Learn more about this scheme »
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TRAINING PAYS SCHEME (TPS)
Eligible candidates satisyfing a list of criteria can benefit from a 75% rebate on direct training cost.
Learn more about this scheme »
