ARCaml for Accountants: Compliance Made Simple
For accountants and auditors, Tranche 2 brings significant new AML/CTF obligations. Your expertise is in financial services - not compliance administration. Starting July 2026, you'll need to:
Accountants: High-Risk Gatekeepers Under AUSTRAC
From 1 July 2026, accountants providing designated services have AML/CTF obligations. AUSTRAC's Money Laundering National Risk Assessment 2024 found accounting services pose a HIGH money laundering risk in Australia.
7 Designated Services for Accountants
- • Creating/restructuring companies, trusts, partnerships
- • Acting as director, secretary or trustee
- • Acting as nominee shareholder
- • Providing registered office or business address
- • Managing money, securities or property
- • Selling shelf companies
- • Assisting corporate transactions
General accounting, tax prep & audit are NOT designated services
Why Accountants Are High-Risk
- • Your expertise gives legitimacy to criminal activities
- • Criminals use business structures & trusts to hide ownership
- • Third parties & intermediaries create distance from proceeds
- • You may not be aware you're helping criminals
Client Behaviour Red Flags
- • Avoids face-to-face meetings
- • Appears nervous or defensive
- • Ends relationship when asked for info
- • Unusual knowledge of AML/CTF rules
- • Pays higher fees without clear reason
Source of Funds Red Flags
- • High-value assets, no clear funding
- • Funds don't match financial standing
- • Won't identify source of wealth
- • Companies with unknown equity source
- • Back-to-back transactions
Complex Structure Red Flags
- • Requests structures to hide ownership
- • Large volume company/trust creation
- • Use of shell/shelf companies
- • Transfers with no apparent purpose
Key Dates for Accountants
- 31 March 2026: AUSTRAC enrolment opens
- 1 July 2026: AML/CTF obligations commence
- 29 July 2026: Enrolment deadline (within 28 days of first designated service)
How ARCaml Solves Your Compliance Challenge
ARCaml is a CDD as a Service platform that handles your customer due diligence obligations so you can focus on your clients.
Identity Verification
Automated KYC for clients and beneficial owners using government ID verification
Beneficial Ownership
Identify who really owns and controls companies, trusts, and complex structures
Source of Funds
Verify where client funds come from-equity, loans, and wealth sources
PEP & Sanctions
Screen all parties against global PEP and sanctions lists-AUSTRAC compliant
Your AML/CTF Compliance Journey
Step-by-step guidance for accountants and auditors.
Get Started with ARCaml
Step 1Sign up for ARCaml's CDD as a Service. We'll configure your account for accounting services compliance requirements.
Send your client a verification link
Step 2Before engagement, send your client a secure link from your portal. They complete a simple guided workflow - no app needed.
Client verifies their identity
Step 3Your client submits their ID and details. ARCaml analysts verify identities, check beneficial ownership, and screen against PEP & sanctions lists.
Receive your CDD Report
Step 4A structured CDD report is delivered to your portal - risk rated, evidence packaged, audit-ready. Retained for 7 years.
Focus on your practice
Step 5Proceed with confidence on your engagements. Decision and responsibility remain with you - execution is off your desk.