Financial Crimes Quality Assurance Analyst

Financial Crimes Quality Assurance AnalystRemoteAt Pathward, we take tremendous pride in our purpose to create financial inclusion for all™. We are a financial empowerment company that works with innovators to increase financial availability, choice, and opportunity for all. We strive to remove barriers that traditional institutions put in the way of financial access, and promote economic mobility by providing responsible, secure, high quality financial products.We are a team of problem solvers and innovators who celebrate our differences and know that our unique perspectives make us stronger and well-positioned for success. We celebrate, and embrace, our team members through our HUMBLEHUNGRYSMART approach, and we believe that we are strongest when we embrace the voices of our employees, customers, partners, and the communities we serve.About the RoleThe Financial Crimes Quality Assurance (QA) Analyst is responsible for executing within the quality assurance program focused on Second Line of Defense (2LoD) Financial Crimes activities, including oversight, review, challenge, and governance functions across BSA/AML, Sanctions, and Fraud.This role ensures that 2LoD processes—such as alert oversight, customer risk rating governance, policy interpretation, and escalation decisions—are performed with consistency, accuracy, and in alignment with regulatory expectations and internal standards. The Analyst will assess the effectiveness of 2LoD outputs, provide credible challenge within Compliance, and deliver insights to strengthen oversight and risk management practices.What You Will DoQA Review ExecutionPerform detailed QA reviews of 2LoD casework, memos, and decisions to evaluate:Accuracy and completenessAppropriateness of risk-based judgmentsAlignment with internal standards and regulatory expectationsEvaluate the quality of 2LoD oversight, including whether issues are appropriately identified, escalated, and resolvedIdentify inconsistencies in decision-making and gaps in challenge or governanceThematic & Horizontal ReviewsConduct horizontal reviews across 2LoD outputs to identify:Systemic weaknesses in oversight practicesTrends in ineffective challenge or missed escalation opportunitiesInconsistencies in policy interpretationDevelop insights into emerging risks and control blind spots within 2LoDFramework & Methodology DevelopmentAssist with the development and maintenance of QA methodologies specific to 2LoD activities, including:Test scripts tailored to oversight and challenge functionsDefect taxonomy focused on governance, escalation, and decision qualityScoring frameworks to assess effectiveness of 2LoD outputsEnsure clear differentiation between 1LoD execution errors and 2LoD oversight deficienciesIssue Management & ReportingDocument QA findings with clear articulation of:Gaps in 2LoD oversight, challenge, or governanceRoot cause and impact on risk management effectivenessAssign severity ratings based on risk exposure and regulatory implicationsTrack and validate remediation of identified issues within ComplianceStakeholder Engagement & Credible ChallengeProvide independent challenge within the 2LoD function, ensuring high standards of oversight and accountabilitySupport regulatory exams by demonstrating the effectiveness and rigor of 2LoD oversight and QA practicesContinuous ImprovementIdentify opportunities to enhance 2LoD QA through:Standardization of oversight practicesEnhanced documentation and governance protocolsUse of data analytics to identify anomalies or inconsistencies in 2LoD outputsWhat You Will NeedRequiredBachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Risk Management, or related field3–7+ years of experience in Financial Crimes (AML, Sanctions, Fraud), with direct experience in:2LoD Compliance / Financial Crimes oversight, orQuality Assurance / Testing of Financial Crimes functionsStrong knowledge of:BSA/AML and sanctions regulatory expectations2LoD roles and responsibilities within a three lines of defense modelFinancial crime risk management frameworks and governance practicesExperience reviewing complex financial crime cases and providing oversight or challengeStrong analytical and judgment skillsPreferredCAMS, CFE, CRCM, or similar certificationsExperience with Customer Risk Rating (CRR) or Transaction Monitoring model governanceExperience leveraging data analytics or reporting tools in QAKey CompetenciesStrong sense of independence and professional skepticismAbility to assess quality of judgment and oversight (not just execution)Excellent written and verbal communication skillsAbility to influence and challenge peers within ComplianceAttention to detail with a focus on consistency and governanceStrong organizational and problem-solving skillsSuccess MetricsQuality and consistency of 2LoD QA reviewsIdentification of meaningful gaps in oversight and challengeReduction in repeat QA findings within 2LoDTimeliness and effectiveness of issue remediationPositive feedback from regulators and Internal Audit on 2LoD QA programDemonstrated improvement in 2LoD governance and decision-making qualityThe responsibilities listed above are not all inclusive and may be changed at any time.Salary range: $43,000 – $70,000The salary range reflects the minimum and maximum target for a new hire in this role. Individual pay within the range will be determined by multiple factors which can include but are not limited to a candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary for your location during the hiring process. Ranges may be modified in the future. This role is also eligible for an annual performance-based incentive opportunity. Pathward offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including health insurance, 401(k) retirement benefits, life insurance, disability benefits, paid time off, and more.Don't have everything listed under qualifications? If you're excited about this role but your experiences don't match exactly to everything in the posting, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other Pathward roles. Pathward is an equal employment opportunity employer and considers candidates for roles without regard to their race, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability or any other category protected by law.Our commitment to inclusion is woven into our DNA. We believe that we are strongest when we embrace the voices of our employees, customers, partners, and the communities we serve.We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, pregnancy, national origin, age (age 40 and over), disability, genetic information, marital status, hair texture or hairstyle, ancestry, service in the uniformed services, protected veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence or any other class protected by federal, state and local laws.Please click here to learn more about our benefits and review information about our Privacy Policy, Affirmative Action Plan and other notices. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. For assistance completing an application, please contact a Pathward People & Culture Representative by emailing – View email address on click.appcast.io click here to view Pathward's Applicant Privacy Notice.