Training Courses

Please see below the courses that we provide via either public courses, in-house delivery or e-learning modules. All content is tailored for the Irish market, for example Central Bank of Ireland implementation and interpretation.

If you would like to discuss custom training solutions (either online or in-person) please contact us and we will be happy to work with you regarding your requirements.

Anti-Money Laundering / Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CTF)

While the 5th EU AML Directive was transposed into Irish law in April 2021, we are still awaiting transposition of the revised 6th EU AML Directive and to see how the European Commission's package for change, including the establishment of AMLA, progresses. It is important that those entrusted with AML/CFT responsibilities have adequate and regular training to ensure knowledge is kept up to date and those new to functions have a broad understanding of the full AML/CFT regime.

With this course, we aim to give you a full breakdown of the AML/CTF and Financial Sanctions Regime in Ireland. This full day course should enable you to understand the relevant concepts, put in place a robust AML/CTF framework and highlight the potential consequences of non-compliance.


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Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Updates

While the 5th EU AML Directive was transposed into Irish law in April 2021, we are still awaiting transposition of the revised 6th EU AML Directive and to see how the European Commission's package for change, including the establishment of AMLA, progresses.

It is important to stay updated on this ever-evolving area. With an expectation from competent authorities that staff and directors of all Designated Persons undertake annual AML training, our AML Updates training course is updated for each delivery to ensure it is up to date on relevant requirements.


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Anti-Money Laundering (AML) for Directors

Boards of Directors remain ultimately responsible for the compliance of Designated Person entities with the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 as amended. With the 5th Eu Aml Directive having been transposed into Irish law in 2021, the 6th EU AML Directive having passed its transposition date and a European Level Action Plan to be put in place over the coming years, it is important for Directors to stay updated on this ever-evolving area

With an expectation from competent authorities that AML training is stratified and tailored to relevant roles, our training course is designed to specifically address the responsibilities of Directors in this area.


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Data Protection Essentials (2hr)

The General Data Protection Regulations became law on 25th May 2018, as did the Irish Data Protection Amendment Act 2018. The Data Protection Commission has since produced 3 annual reports. 2020 presented the first fine imposed by the DPC and multiple warnings around data security in the midst of a pandemic.

Our 2 hour Data Protection (GDPR) session aims to provide an overview of the requirements and relevant updates in this area.


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Ethics for Financial Services

While persons working within regulated sectors are often inundated with requirements and rules, ethical approaches to business often offers a buffer to prevent non-compliance. As such, many regulators and industry bodies require that persons operating within certain sectors to undertake mandatory ethics training on an annual basis.

This 1 hour module is primarily designed for Financial Services personnel to comply with Minimum Competency Code and Regulations requirements as set by the Central Bank of Ireland.


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Risk-Based Compliance

Risk Based Compliance is an approach that ensures resources are spread proportionately relative to your company’s compliance risk - the higher the risk, the greater the levels of monitoring and action. For regulated entities in Ireland, use of this framework is a fundamental Central Bank expectation.

Our half day workshop provides Compliance Officers in particular with the tools to enable you to establish, document and implement a risk-based approach in your firm.


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Consumer Protection Code

On the 1st of January 2012 the revised Consumer Protection Code (the Code) came into effect which sets out the requirements that regulated entities must comply with when dealing with consumers.

A number of addendum’s have been made to the code since then to keep up with the changes with respect to new regulated sectors, changes in European legislation (e.g. MiFID II) and Central Bank consultations (e.g. CP116).

This half day course will provide attendees with a full understanding of the code and how it can be implemented within their own firms.


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Directors' Duties

The Companies Act 2014 not only consolidated existing company law legislation but also represented the first time in Irish Law that Directors’ Duties were set out in one place. The Act incorporates a number of long-established fiduciary duties. It is important that any person taking up or fulfilling a directorship in an Irish established entity is familiar with these duties.

Our half day Directors’ Duties course aims to give you an understanding of the range of duties covered and enable you to comply with your obligations.


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Fitness and Probity

In this module we examine the Central Bank of Ireland's Fitness and Probity requirements including Minimum Competency. This is a very topical and ever evolving area. In 2020 there were further additions to the list of Pre-Approval Function (PCF roles) and a second Dear CEO letter from the Central Bank of Ireland, in November 2020, highlighting weaknesses in firms’ compliance with the regime.

It is important that all regulated entities have robust Fitness and Probity frameworks in place. This half day course is designed to assist relevant personnel in establishing, improving and implementing processes that effectively address the fitness and probity requirements of the Central Bank of Ireland.
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MLRO Duties

The Money Laundering Reporting Office (MLRO) can play a critical role within designated person entities especially with respect to the reporting of suspicious transactions and activity. Sometimes the MLRO may be expected to establish, implement, and monitor an effective AML/CFT system and is given significant responsibility as a result.

This half day course has been created to allow attendees to gain a better understanding of the role of the MLRO, the relevant legal requirements and practical points to consider.
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Central Bank of Ireland: Enforcement Actions & Inspections (CBI)

The Central Bank of Ireland, (CBI) as regulator and Competent Authority for regulated entities operating in the financial services sector in Ireland. Under the Central Bank Act 1942, the Central Bank Reform Act 2010 and the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013, the CBI may take action against any regulated entity that is in breach of the obligations that are associated with its authorisation. As the competent authority for supervision of regulated entities, the CBI will have an ongoing relationship with the entities that it regulates. The PRISM (Probability Risk Impact SysteM) system used by the CBI ensures that the greater risk posed to the financial system by an entity, the greater the interaction that entity will have with the CBI. This course will provide an insight into how the CBI conducts visits and what they expect and a framework or guidance for you/your firm on how to manage these interactions.


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Treating Customers Fairly (TCF)

Consumer Protection is a key area of focus for the Central Bank of Ireland. In addition to the Central Bank, both the Competition for Consumer Protection Commission and the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman also have roles to play in this area. This course focuses on the obligations imposed on individuals and firms within the financial services sector and explores relevant concepts to be able to demonstrate that your firm is treating customers fairly.


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Whistleblowing

All financial service providers are required to have a policy or channel in place that allows employees to raise issues of concern with respect to non-compliance with financial services legislation without fear of retaliation from their employer. In addition, the Protected Disclosures Act, which applies to all commercial entities, was recently amended to transpose the European Whistleblowing Directive into Irish law.

This 2 hour session looks at the relevant legal and regulatory requirements while delving into some practical examples.


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Market Abuse

Various pieces of legislation seek to ensure the orderly and fair operation of financial markets. In Europe the Market Abuse Directive and associated Market Abuse Regulations are the primary sources of rules which attempt to minimise the risk of Market Abuse.

This 2 hour course, targeted at individuals working within relevant regulated sectors in Ireland, is designed to inform you as to your obligations around the management of insider information, identification of market abuse activities and the reporting of suspicions around potential market abuse.


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Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

This course aims to provide a practical guide to ESG and what it means for your business.

ESG performance is increasingly critical for businesses that are under scrutiny from a wide range of stakeholders, including clients, investors, regulators and employees. Regulated entities will have to consider changing their business models to take account of the risks and opportunities posed by climate change while at the same time responding to reputational and regulatory risks.

Participants will learn how to better understand the role of businesses in tackling climate change. The course will cover a summary of key EU and industry developments in ESG matters relating to the financial services sector and the Central Bank’s supervisory expectations of regulated firms regarding Climate Change and ESG issues.


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