AKSHIT KALRA
-•-• linkedin.com/in/akshit-kalra
Summary: Results-driven risk & compliance specialist with Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) certification
and 5+ years of experience in risk management, fraud detection, regulatory compliance and financial crime risk
management. Author of the book “Strategic Approaches to Financial Crime: A Comprehensive AML/CFT Handbook”
available on Amazon, contributing thought leadership in the financial crime space. Expertise in internal audit, KYC, AML,
CDD/ECDD, financial crime risk analysis, sanctions screening and cross-functional risk assessment. Adept at identifying and
mitigating AML risks, ensuring adherence to regulatory frameworks, and implementing strategic compliance
enhancements.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Freelance Consulting Engagements, Remote
Independent Risk & Compliance Consultant
Jan 2025-Present
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Fractional MLRO Services - KYB/CDD Analysis & Risk Ratings - Dubai
Conducted Know Your Business (KYB) assessments and prepared comprehensive Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
reports for client onboarding. Analyzed ownership structures, screened for adverse media/PEP/sanctions, and
identified potential risks. Assigned risk ratings based on AML risk factors and provided strategic recommendations
on onboarding decisions and enhanced monitoring where necessary.
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Creation of AML/CTF Program – Australia (AUSTRAC)
Developed and implemented a comprehensive AML/CTF compliance program for an Australian client in alignment
with AUSTRAC requirements and FATF recommendations. Designed a risk-based framework covering customer,
product, delivery and geographic risk assessments. Established Customer Identification and Verification (CIV)
procedures, Enhanced Customer Due Diligence (ECDD) measures for high-risk clients, and a transaction monitoring
system to detect and report suspicious activity. Defined internal compliance responsibilities and integrated
PEP/sanctions screening protocols.
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Creation of AML/CFT Policies and Procedures- Dubai (IFZA)
Developed and implemented AML/CFT policy for a licensed IFZA Free Zone firm in Dubai, ensuring compliance with
UAE Central Bank and FATF standards. Designed risk-based frameworks, CDD/EDD procedures, and transaction
monitoring systems. Defined MLRO responsibilities, integrated sanctions/PEP screening, and established procedures
for SAR reporting via GoAML.
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Recertification of AML/BSA Manual – Belgium
Reviewed and updated the client's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) manual in line with
evolving EU and US regulations ensuring compliance with FATF recommendations and local regulatory
expectations, enabling risk-aligned operations and audit readiness.
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Internal Audit Framework Development – ADGM, Abu Dhabi
Designed a comprehensive internal audit program for a fund manager licensed under ADGM’s FSRA, covering
areas including regulatory compliance, Financial Crime (AML/CFT), EDD, CDD, corporate governance, conduct of
business, and client onboarding.
▪ Developed audit testing procedures in alignment with IIA GIAS standards.
▪ Mapped ADGM FSRA rulebook requirements to control objectives and test steps.
▪ Included both design effectiveness and operating effectiveness evaluations.
Profleet Rentals, London
10/2023 - 12/2024
Founder's Office
● Served as the primary strategic partner to the founder, managing critical initiatives across business functions like financial
planning, revenue management and risk exposure.
● Orchestrated executive communications and stakeholder management, including board meeting preparation, and
investor updates.
● Established audit procedures, risk control matrices, and compliance programs aligned with DVLA regulations and UK
transportation laws.
● Spearheaded comprehensive compliance programs ensuring adherence to DVLA regulations and UK transportation
laws.
Himalayan Goodness, India
10/2021 - 09/2022
Finance and Operations Officer
● Spearheaded financial planning and analysis, optimizing cash flows and ensuring financial sustainability.
● Evaluated quarterly financial performance, risks and guided cost-effective decisions.
● Assisted in end-to-end operations and market analysis to guide product offerings and pricing strategies.
● Fostered relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring business growth through collaboration.
KPMG, India
06/2018 - 09/2021
Associate Consultant / Analyst, Governance, Risk and Compliance Service
● Led rigorous internal and process audits for diverse industry clients, assessing the effectiveness of their operational
procedures and internal controls leveraging MS Suite for FMCG, aviation, logistics, oil/gas, and manufacturing clients.
● Identified potential areas of risk, formulating recommendations for process improvements to mitigate vulnerabilities and
enhance operational efficiency.
● Spearheaded the refresh/remediation of client onboarding processes, with particular emphasis on KYC/AML
documentation and verification procedures.
● Reviewed and assessed sanctions alerts, transaction monitoring alerts, and flagged potential suspicious activities for
further investigation.
● Created comprehensive MI reports and governance packs for senior management, highlighting key financial crime risks,
trends, and remediation progress.
● Performed customer identification program (CIP) enhanced due diligence (EDD) and customer due diligence (CDD)
reviews on high-risk clients, ensuring compliance with regional regulations.
● Performed sanctions screening and adverse media checks using industry-leading tools (Fircosoft, Oracle Enterprise Case
Management, LexisNexis, and WorldCheck).
● Performed extensive adverse media screening and enhanced due diligence investigations for high-risk clients,
particularly focusing on PEP relationships and complex corporate structures.
● Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify and assess financial crime risks, developing and implementing
mitigation strategies across various business units.
● Provided strategic recommendations for strengthening financial crime controls and processes, contributing to the
enhancement of the overall compliance framework.
EDUCATION
Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)
2024
● Knowledge of anti-money laundering laws, regulations and standards, KYC policies and procedures
● Policy and procedure creation for customer due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD)
● Risk assessment, classification and mitigation strategies for AML, KYC, suspicious activity reporting
● Understanding of sanctions screening and watchlist management, AML audit and testing methods
King's College London
MSc Finance Analytics
10/2022 - 09/2023
Passed with Merit
● Relevant Modules: Corporate Finance, Business Risk Analytics, Big Data analytics and visualisation, Fintech Analytics and
Robo Trading, Financial Derivatives for Data Analytics, Applied Wealth Management
Coursework 1: M&A
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Conducted financial analysis and evaluated synergies, projected performance
Developed integration plan and strategic rationale for acquisition to go through
Coursework 2: Equity Research and Analysis
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Conducted analysis using R and R-Studio employing data visualization techniques
Constructed forecasting models identifying potential investments
Utilized R language for trend identification and risk assessment
Indira Gandhi National Open University
07/2018 - 12/2020
Masters in Commerce (MCOM)
69%- First Division
● Relevant Modules: International Business Finance, Business Environment, International Business Environment, Accounting
for managerial decisions, Financial Management
University of Delhi
04/2015 - 05/2018
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com Hons)
7.189/10- First Division
Relevant Modules: Financial Accounting, Corporate Accounting, Auditing and Corporate Governance, International
Business
TECHNICAL & OTHER SKILLS
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AML & KYC Compliance: CDD, EDD, SoW verification, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, risk assessment.
Regulatory Frameworks: FATF, OFAC, BSA, EU AML Directives, UK FCA, AUSTRAC, Indian PMLA.
Fraud detection, financial crime consulting, Policy creation and recertification
Certification in Finance Trading Program 22/23 associated with the TTC Institute
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Strong report writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication abilities.
Soft Skills: Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Initiative, Leadership, Time Management, Adaptability
Proactive approach to financial analysis and risk management.
PUBLICATIONS
Strategic Approaches to Financial Crime: A Comprehensive AML/CFT Handbook: Understanding Anti-Money Laundering
and Counter-Terrorist Financing in Practice- Available on Amazon.
VOLUNTEERING
Moolchand Aatmaram Swami Shraddanand Ayurvedic Aushdhalaya
Volunteer
● Raised Sponsorship of INR 200K for eyecare and dental check-up camps for economically poor
● Coordinated day to day activities of organizing, planning, and coordination of 30+ camps
03/2015 - 09/2022
AIESEC in Delhi University
08/2015 - 01/2017
Team Leader
● Led 5-member team and onboarded 5 new corporate clients, overseeing professional development, major project
execution, and end-to-end internship program logistics resulting in 3 partnership events and 30+ recruited interns
Blood Connect
08/2015 - 09/2016
Volunteer
● Organized 20+ blood donation camps in colleges, corporates and RWAs
● Led as an executive to handle special requests at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) handling 50+ emergency
calls.
