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What makes a career in compliance attractive, and what unique opportunities does it offer, both for those switching from other fields and for newcomers?
A career in compliance offers unique opportunities for professionals transitioning from other disciplines, such as legal roles, as well as for young graduates. As a compliance officer, you gain a broad view of all the activities within an organisation. Compliance professionals have the right to engage with various internal stakeholders, which allows them to develop a cross-functional understanding of both the organisation’s risks and its opportunities.
If you work in a company where the compliance function is still in its early stages, you also get the chance to help define its framework. That makes the role particularly fascinating. However, it does require resilience to advocate for the importance of compliance within the business.
What are the biggest challenges compliance professionals face today, and what gives you the most satisfaction in this role?
Biggest challenges:
Greatest fulfilment:
The real satisfaction in a compliance role often comes from contributing to the success of projects. Whether it’s helping secure a positive audit outcome or guiding a marketing campaign to ensure compliance while maintaining creativity, these moments are rewarding. Acting as a bridge between operational teams is especially fulfilling. You can gather direct feedback, quickly understand issues, and propose workable solutions. By being proactive and solution-oriented, compliance becomes a supportive enabler rather than a restrictive force.
How do you see the compliance role evolving over the next five years, given the fast-changing landscape of regulation and technology?
Technology already plays a key role and will become even more central in compliance. AI tools can automate many routine tasks, such as legal research. However, compliance professionals will need to apply a critical eye to the outcomes of these tools and translate them into their organisation’s specific context.
The compliance role will become more specialised in niche areas like cybersecurity and sustainability. At the same time, professionals will still need to think broadly to effectively manage digital compliance assistants. This requires a sound understanding of technology and the ability to feed these tools with the right data.
How would you describe the impact of the compliance function within an organisation? What is its importance to business operations and reputation?
Although compliance is sometimes undervalued because it doesn't directly generate revenue, it plays a crucial role in protecting an organisation’s reputation and ensuring sustainable growth. Think of investor confidence and the integrity of a company’s board leaders who set the tone for good governance.
Strong compliance culture also helps prevent fines and reputational damage. For that reason, it's essential that the compliance function has a seat at the highest levels of the organisation.
You could say a compliance professional acts as an internal influencer, spreading a positive compliance mindset throughout the company.
What traits and skills should young professionals develop to succeed in a compliance role? Any advice for those considering this career?
For newcomers, it's important to first understand the company, what it stands for, how it operates, and how it engages with clients. Young professionals should be given the time to fully grasp this. Once they do, they can apply a compliance lens to identify risks and adjust practices where needed.
Over time, you’ll learn to think proactively and collaborate on solutions. Strong communication skills are essential.
Advice for starters: Take the leap. Compliance offers a unique opportunity to take responsibility and make an impact from the very beginning of your career. It’s a kind of entrepreneurship within the company, you become the backbone that enables others to do their work confidently. Use networks like BEAMA and Febelfin to exchange knowledge and learn from real-life cases. It’s a dynamic and rewarding field where you can grow quickly.
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