Career path: transitioning from audit to compliance

par :name Priya Sharma · Discussion générale · Mar 18, 2026 · 3 réponses Répondu

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I've been in internal audit for 6 years (Big 4 for 3, then in-house at a bank). I'm considering a transition to a compliance role, specifically in AML/financial crime compliance.

Questions for those who've made this transition:

How transferable are audit skills to compliance?
What certifications would be most valuable? (considering CAMS, ICA, or CFE)
Should I expect a salary adjustment?
Any tips for positioning myself in interviews?

Priya Sharma

Compliance Consultant · RiskAdvisory Group

Membre depuis Apr 2026

Réponse acceptée

I made this exact transition 4 years ago, from Big 4 audit to AML compliance at a regional bank. Here's my take:

Transferable skills: Audit skills translate extremely well. You already understand control frameworks, risk assessment, regulatory expectations, and how to document findings. Testing and sampling methodologies are directly applicable to compliance monitoring and QA.

Certifications: Get the CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist). It's the gold standard for AML professionals and will immediately signal your commitment to the field. The CFE is also valuable if you want to lean toward investigations.

Salary: I took a slight dip (~5%) for my first compliance role but caught up within 18 months. Experienced compliance professionals are in high demand, so the earning potential is strong.

Interview tip: Emphasize your experience in evaluating controls, not just testing them. Compliance wants people who can design and improve programs, not just audit them.

Aisha Rahman

Chief Compliance Officer · NeoBank Digital

Membre depuis Apr 2026

3 réponses

One thing to be aware of: the mindset shift from audit to compliance is significant. In audit, you're an independent assessor — you identify issues and report them. In compliance, you're a first-line or second-line partner — you have to work with the business to solve problems, not just identify them.

Some auditors struggle with this shift because they're used to maintaining independence. If you can demonstrate that you're a collaborative problem-solver in your interviews, you'll stand out.

John Doe

Mar 19, 2026 at 6:33 AM

Don't overlook the ICA (International Compliance Association) qualifications if you're targeting the European or UK market. CAMS is more recognized in the US, but ICA diplomas carry significant weight in Europe and are often a prerequisite for senior compliance roles at large European banks.

Thomas Keller

Mar 20, 2026 at 2:33 PM