Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT)
From 1 October 2018, Phase 2 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 requires accountants to assess the risk we face from clients who may want to use our business to launder money or finance terrorism. To help us make that assessment, the law requires us to carry out Customer Due Diligence (CDD) on all clients.
Customer Due Diligence Requirements
This involves obtaining and verifying information from new and existing clients about a number of things, including your full name, date of birth, and address. To confirm these details we are required to see and take copies of original or certified copies of the following documents:
- Your passport; and
- Proof of address, such as a bank statement or utility bill (must be dated within the last 3 months)
or - Your driver’s license; and
- Your full birth certificate; and
- Proof of address, such as a bank statement or utility bill (must be dated within the last 3 months)
If you are seeing us about a company, trust, or estate we will need further information, including the people associated with it (such as directors, shareholders, trustees, and beneficiaries).
We will need to ask you about the nature and purpose of the proposed work you are asking us to do for you. Information confirming the source of funds may also be necessary to meet the legal requirements.
If You Cannot Provide the Required Information
We will let you know what information we require and what documents you need to show us and let us photocopy. If we are not able to obtain the required information from you, it is likely we will not be able to act for you. Because the law applies to everyone, we need to ask for the information even if you have been a client for a long time.
Please telephone our office and speak to our compliance officer, Kelly Steele, if you have any queries or concerns regarding AML/CFT.