AML compliance accountants Australia 2026
AML Compliance for Accountants: What You Need to Know Before 1 July 2026
If your accounting firm creates entities, manages client funds, or acts in trust and company service roles, you may be in scope.
Are you affected?
If your accounting firm creates companies or trusts, manages client money tied to transactions, or acts as trustee or director, you are likely a reporting entity and must comply by 1 July 2026.
In scope
- Creating companies, partnerships or trusts for clients
- Acting as trustee or director for a client
- Managing client funds for a transaction
- Corporate restructuring involving transfer of funds
- Registered office or business address services
- Trust and company service provider work
Out of scope
- Tax return preparation
- Bookkeeping
- Management accounting
- Audit services unless fund management is involved
- Pure tax advisory with no entity creation
- Financial statement preparation only
Your obligations
- Enrol with AUSTRAC when enrolment opens on 31 March 2026
- Build an AML/CTF program tailored to your services
- Implement customer due diligence procedures
- Train staff on red flags, risk, and process
- Prepare for reporting and annual compliance obligations
The risk of non-compliance
AUSTRAC can publish enforcement action. That creates operational, reputational, and referral damage beyond the financial penalty headline.
How we help
We package the work into a fixed-scope build so your team is not trying to assemble obligations from scattered guidance, starter kits, and half-finished notes.
Do accountants have to comply with AML laws?
Accountants are captured when they provide designated services such as entity formation, trust and company services, or handling funds linked to transactions.
What accounting services are in scope?
Work that helps establish legal entities, operate trusts, provide registered office services, or move client funds is the area to review first.
Is basic tax work enough to trigger AML obligations?
No. Pure tax compliance, bookkeeping, and advisory work without designated services is generally outside scope.
Start your program
Get a done-for-you AML/CTF build tailored to accountants.
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