On September 16, the ACAMS Middle Tennessee Chapter held a virtual quarterly learning session on the subject “AML Professionals in 2021: A Market Perspective.” During this session, Giannine Cohoon from Protiviti and Richard Sullivan from Robert Half provided insights on the anti-money laundering (AML) career trends their companies have observed thus far. Some trends discussed included career advancement, compensation, benefits packages, an increased demand for AML professionals and industries outside of financial services that are hiring AML professionals (at both entry-level and management level). Enhanced employer perks—such as workplace flexibility options, wellness programs, family and childcare benefits, employee discounts and condensed workweeks—were also discussed.

In addition to hearing from the professional side of the house, attendees learned about programs being offered at local Tennessee universities that can provide the academic, technological and soft skills needed to develop quality candidates for careers in AML. Three law school representatives shared an overview of their programs: Lisa Doster from the Belmont University College of Law, Christie Laird, J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law and Betsy Key, Esq. from the Vanderbilt Law School. Dr. Sesan Kim Sokoya from the Middle Tennessee State University Jones College of Business detailed the newly established and accredited ACAMS program where students can graduate with a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) certification. He also discussed how local professionals could contribute their time and expertise by instructing some of the CAMS courses.

Attendees of this quarterly learning session left with a wealth of knowledge on the career trajectory of AML professionals and how they can best market themselves into a truly rewarding career.

Promise Nevers, CAMS, chapter programming director, ACAMS Middle Tennessee Chapter