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Image of career: Compliance Officer

Compliance Officer

Overview

Compliance officers help organisations follow laws, regulations, and internal rules to reduce risk and prevent misconduct.

Description

  • Monitor company activities to make sure they follow laws, rules, and internal guidelines.
  • Review transactions, documents, or work processes to spot possible risks.
  • Carry out checks and reviews when needed.
  • Prepare reports and records for audits, regulators, or internal reviews. Support staff by sharing guidance, training, or updates on compliance rules.

Entry requirements

  • You will need a Diploma or Degree in Business, Finance, Law, Accounting, or related fields. Relevant internship or compliance-related work experience is a plus.
  • You must pass background and integrity checks.

Salary

$3,800 – 5,100

/mo

Salary ranges are estimated based on public information found on Singaporean job portals, including MyCareersFuture, MySkillsFuture. Updated as of 2026.

Trivia

Think of them as the 'referees' of the banking world. If a bank accidentally helps a criminal launder money, the fines may be billions of dollars. Compliance officers have the power to freeze accounts instantly if they detect suspicious activity.

What to expect

Develop strong attention to detail and stay updated on regulations impacting your industry. Being organised, careful, and confident is important in this role.

Soft
skills

Attention to Detail

Possess accuracy and a keen eye to spot a small error in a pile of documents.

Ethical Courage

Able to confidently speak up and say "no" when rules are being broken.

Objectivity

Ability to remain neutral and fact-based during checks.

Regulatory Knowledge

Good understanding of laws relevant to the industry (such as Banking Act, PDPA).

Documentation

Ability to write clear, factual reports for auditors.

Data Review

Proficiency in reviewing large sets of data or spreadsheets to spot errors.

Hard
skills

Frequently asked questions

A banking operations officer processes transactions and ensures daily services run smoothly. A compliance officer monitors those activities to ensure they follow rules, spotting warning signs, and preventing misconduct or risk.

Yes. Unlike many other corporate roles, they must be prepared to pass background and integrity checks. As the role involves preventing misconduct and ensuring adherence to regulations, employers emphasise personal integrity and a clean history.

No. The role has become increasingly data-driven. They're expected to have data review skills, specifically the ability to review large sets of data or spreadsheets to spot errors or irregularities.

This role requires a specific type of confidence. They're not just following orders; they're expected to speak up and have the confidence to say "no" when they see rules being broken. They must be able to remain objective and fact-based, even when challenging internal teams.

Their main objective is risk prevention. Whether they're monitoring company activities, reviewing documents, or preparing reports for auditors, their goal is to help the organisation avoid legal or financial risks and prevent misconduct.