ACAMS: Certified Cryptoasset AFC Specialist (CCAS)

On this accelerated Certified Cryptoasset AFC Specialist (CCAS) certification, you will gain the knowledge necessary to manage the risk of, and comply with regulations related to, financial crime in the context of the crypto sector.

CCAS has been developed in conjunction with representatives from the cryptoasset sector, AML/CTF professionals, and other subject matter experts from a regulatory and law enforcement background. CCAS fills a gap in the market for a cryptocurrency AML certification – for both individual AML professionals and entire cryptoasset compliance functions.

This cryptocurrency compliance certification program enables organizations to contextualize the threat cryptoassets pose, establish an effective risk appetite, and demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.

ACAMS certifications are internationally renowned and recognized. Those who earn the CCAS designation will be distinguished as authorities on AML/CFT in the crypto space.

At the end of this course you will be able to identify and mitigate common methods of financial crime linked to cryptoassets, and will be optimally prepared to progress onto our specialist CCAS certification

In just 7 days, you’ll learn how financial criminals utilize cryptoassets to launder money, and what are the key red flags you should look out for? You’ll also learn:

• To protect your business from the risks of cryptoassets, you need a robust understanding of financial crime prevention principles and the practices surrounding them
• Real-life case studies which will introduce you to the principles underpinning financial crime prevention
• To understand the risks unique to cryptoassets
• How money laundering, fraud, and tax evasion happen in cryptoassets
• How to spot financial crime risks and red flags specific to cryptoassets
• How risk is controlled and managed across key compliance measures and functions
• How to identify which customer information is relevant and important for cryptoassets
• The process for identifying, researching, and reporting unusual and suspicious customer activity

At the end of this course, you’ll sit the ACAMS exam, and achieve your Certified Cryptoasset AFC Specialist (CCAS) certification. Through Firebrand’s Lecture | Lab | Review methodology, you’ll get certified at twice the speed of the traditional training and get access to courseware, learn from certified instructors, and train in a distraction-free environment.

Audience

The CCAS course is ideal for:

• Professionals working in the crypto sector, with responsibility for cryptocurrency compliance and managing the risks of cryptoasset-related financial crime
• This cryptocurrency AML certification is also appropriate for individuals who want to expand their knowledge and better apply their skills to the crypto sector. This includes CAMS, CKYCA, CTMA, or CAFCA certified
• AML or KYC analyst
• Transaction monitoring analyst
• AML investigator
• AML management
• Fraud investigator
• AML officer
• Chief compliance officer
• Audit, special investigations
• SAR/STR reporting officer
• Regulatory examiner
• Law enforcement
• Blockchain technologist
• Systems designer
• Legal counsel
• Intelligence analyst
• Cyber security professionals

This certification program includes key topics relevant to the cryptoasset sector. The training course incorporates three ACAMS online certificate courses:

• Cryptoassets and blockchain
• AML foundations for cryptoassets and blockchain
• Risk management programs for cryptoassets and blockchain

Module 1: What is financial crime?

• Introduction
• Introductory case video
• What would you do?
• Feedback
• Learning objectives Types of financial crime
• What is financial crime?
• Money laundering
• Money laundering (Case example)
• Money laundering for cryptoasset (Case example)
• Terrorist financing
• Detecting terrorist financing (Case example)
• Sanctions evasion
• Sanctions evasion (Case example)
• Fraud
• Fraud (Case example: Voice phishing)
• Fraud in cryptoasset (Case example)
• Bribery and corruption
• Bribery and corruption (Case example)
• Tax avoidance versus tax evasion
• Tax avoidance versus tax evasion (Case example)
• Tax avoidance versus tax evasion in cryptoasset (Case example)
• Cybercrime
• Cybercrime (Case example)
• Review
• Review questions

Module 2: Financial crime risk

• What is risk?
• Types of risk: Regulatory, legal, financial, reputational
• International regulations and guidance
• Categories of risk: Customer, jurisdiction, product, channel Customer risk
• Customer risk and red flags
• Beneficial ownership
• Ultimate beneficial ownership
• Politically exposed person risk and red flags
• Shell company risk and red flags
• Cash-intensive business risk and red flags Jurisdiction risk
• Jurisdiction risk and red flags
• Jurisdiction risk and red flags (Case example) Product risk
• Product risk and red flags
• Charity and NGO risk and red flags
• Trade finance risk and red flags
• Cryptoasset risk and red flags Channel risk
• Channel risk and red flags
• Electronic transfer of funds risk and red flags
• Remote deposit capture risk and red flags Risks specific to your business
• Dark markets risk and red flags
• Dark markets risk and red flags (Case example)
• Mixers and tumblers risk and red flags
• Mixers and tumblers risk and red flags (Case example)
• Cryptoasset and gaming risk and red flags
• Cryptoasset sanctions indirect risk and red flags
• Review
• Review questions

Module 3: Controlling risk

• Risk-based approach
• Risk-based approach to business
• Controlling risk
• Residual risk equation Know your role in compliance
• Three lines of defense industry
• Risk-based escalation
• Independence of the second line
• Role of the money laundering reporting officer
• Audit as the third line of defence
• The three phases of customer research
• Know your customer
• KYC is intended to manage risk
• KYC is intended to manage risk (Case example)
• Transaction monitoring
• Transaction monitoring is intended to manage risk
• Transaction monitoring process
• Transaction monitoring (Case example)
• Sanctions compliance
• Regulations related to sanctions compliance
• Internet search: Sanctions screening
• Transaction monitoring versus name screening
• Sanctions (Case example)
• Review
• Review questions

Module 4: Research and reporting

• Research process
• Investigative mindset
• Four research steps
• Levels of due diligence
• CDD for a natural person
• CDD for a legal person Information sources
• Criteria for selecting standard customer research sources for cryptoasset
• If you need more information
• Tipping off
• Organizing what you learn
• How much research is reasonably enough?
• Following organization-specific policies and procedures
• Filter what customer information is relevant and important for cryptoasset
• Data security and privacy
• Documenting your research
• Customer profile structure and format
• Your obligation
• Duty to report
• Suspicious activity escalation process
• How your organization might act
• What is a suspicious activity report?
• Who writes a SAR in your organization?
• Transaction monitoring and ongoing reviews
• Maintaining an account after unusual activity
• Refusing or terminating a customer
• Review
• Review questions

At the end of this accelerated course, you’ll sit the following exam at the Firebrand Training centre, covered Certification Guarantee:

ACAMS Certified Cryptoasset AFC Specialist (CCAS) exam

• Duration: 175 Minutes
• Format: Multiple-choice and multiple-select questions
• Number of questions: 100 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions
• Passing score: The minimum passing score is 80% and multiple attempts are allowed
• When you pass, you’ll receive an online certificate and earn four ACAMS credits

• The program assumes that the candidate has approximately 18 months to two years of AFC experience and an understanding of the crypto space, although this is not a prerequisite.
• Being able to demonstrate an understanding of the financial crime framework is more important than direct experience of the cryptoasset sector

Your accelerated course includes:

• Accommodation *
• Meals, unlimited snacks, beverages, tea and coffee *
• On-site exams **
• Exam vouchers **
• Practice tests **
• Certification Guarantee ***
• Courseware
• Up-to 12 hours of instructor-led training each day
• 24-hour lab access
• Digital courseware **

* For residential training only. Accommodation is included from the night before the course starts. This doesn't apply for online courses.
** Some exceptions apply. Please refer to the Exam Track or speak with our experts.
*** Pass first time or train again free as many times as it takes, unlimited for 1 year. Just pay for accommodation, exams, and incidental costs.

Seven reasons why you should sit your course with Firebrand Training

• Two options of training. Choose between residential classroom-based, or online courses
• You'll be certified fast. With us, you’ll be trained in record time
• Our course is all-inclusive. A one-off fee covers all course materials, exams**, accommodation* and meals*. No hidden extras.
• Pass the first time or train again for free. This is our guarantee. We’re confident you’ll pass your course the first time. But if not, come back within a year and only pay for accommodation, exams and incidental costs
• You’ll learn more. A day with a traditional training provider generally runs from 9 am – 5 pm, with a nice long break for lunch. With Firebrand Training you’ll get at least 12 hours/day of quality learning time, with your instructor
• You’ll learn faster. Chances are, you’ll have a different learning style to those around you. We combine visual, auditory and tactile styles to deliver the material in a way that ensures you will learn faster and more easily
• You’ll be studying with the best. We’ve been named in the Training Industry’s “Top 20 IT Training Companies of the Year” every year since 2010. As well as winning many more awards, we’ve trained and certified over 135,000 professionals

*For residential training only. Doesn't apply for online courses
**Some exceptions apply. Please refer to the Exam Track or speak with our experts

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