AML Onboarding Associate

About the role

Clear Street is modernizing the brokerage ecosystem. Founded in 2018, Clear Street is a diversified financial services firm replacing the legacy infrastructure used across capital markets. We started from scratch by building a completely cloud-native clearing and custody system designed for today's complex, global market. Clear Street's proprietary prime brokerage platform adds significant efficiency to the market, while focusing on minimizing risk, redundancy, and cost for clients. Our goal is to create a single source-of-truth platform for every asset class, in every country, and in any currency. By combining highly-skilled product and engineering talent with seasoned finance professionals, we're building the essentials to compete in today's fast-paced markets. The AML Compliance Associate is analytical, collaborative, self-driven and detail-oriented, joining our dynamic team to own critical compliance workflows. This role owns the integrity of the Firm's Anti-Money Laundering program, Customer Identification Program, and Customer Due Diligence processes from inception to execution. You will partner directly with the Active Division to ensure customer onboarding flows are secure, compliant, and efficient. The position requires ownership of risk assessment, documentation, and escalation procedures that protect the Firm and support growth. You will be responsible for maintaining accurate records and applying regulatory requirements consistently across the customer lifecycle. This role is essential in maintaining the control environment that allows Clear Street to operate at scale. The role will be based in New York City and support the Firm's Active Division.

Key facts

What you'll do

Gather and analyze information collected at account onboarding in accordance with the Firm's Customer Identification Program (CIP) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) Program requirements and assess customer risk.

Review and validate customer identification documents such as government-issued IDs, formation documents, and beneficial ownership records.

Research and address AML questions from the Active Division onboarding team to ensure clarity and compliance.

Resolve identity verification exceptions and escalate red flags appropriately through defined channels.

Ensure timely and accurate documentation of CIP and CDD results within the Firm's books and records in accordance with regulatory expectations.

Conduct CDD reviews, including customer risk assessments based on business type, geography, products, services and expected activity.

Perform periodic and event-driven CDD refreshes in accordance with regulatory and internal requirements to maintain current risk profiles.

Identify high risk customers and escalate cases that require Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) to the proper oversight channels.

Review and disposition of ongoing monitoring alerts including sanctions, PEP and adverse media alerts to determine appropriate next steps.

Operate within the Firm's proprietary systems to input, review, and confirm data integrity related to onboarding and due diligence activities.

Apply regulatory guidance and internal policies to make decisions that balance compliance requirements with client service objectives.

Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to resolve complex onboarding issues while maintaining a high standard of regulatory adherence.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of AML regulations and industry trends to support continuous improvement of compliance controls.

Support the development and testing of controls related to onboarding and monitoring processes to reduce execution risk.

Assist in the preparation of compliance reports and testing materials for internal and external audit or regulatory examination.

Contribute to process documentation and standard operating procedures to enhance team scalability and consistency.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent.

2-5 years of experience in client onboarding for a retail broker-dealer.

Familiarity with KYC, CIP and CDD rules.

Experience with onboarding platforms and screening tools such as World Check and CLEAR.

Strong attention to detail and ability to analyze customer information and documentation.

Ability to identify issues and design effective solutions to address them.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Self-starter and team player who is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.