High School
You’ll need a college degree to work as a compliance professional so, in high school, you should pursue a college preparatory curriculum that includes classes in business, economics, accounting, English, speech, computer science, mathematics, social studies, and science.
Postsecondary Education
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or pre-law is required to work in entry-level positions. Many firms prefer applicants with graduate degrees in law, business, finance, or accounting. Some colleges, such as Loyola University Chicago, offer master’s degree concentrations in compliance studies. Classes in Loyola’s concentration include more than 50 online and on-campus courses, such as Corporate Compliance, Enterprise Risk Management, Global Compliance, Financial Institution Regulation, Privacy and Security of Corporate Information, and The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The London School of Economics and Political Science offers a master’s degree in private equity.
Other Education or Training
The Regulatory Compliance Association offers online continuing education classes that will help participants keep their industry knowledge up to date. These classes are useful because the regulatory environment is constantly in flux. Recent courses included New Form ADV and Performance Reporting, Cybersecurity Issues for Asset Managers, Virtual Currency, Enforcement Practice, and Shadow Accounting. Visit https://www.rcaonline.org for more information.
Certification
Some colleges offer undergraduate and graduate certificates in compliance. For example, the University of South Florida offers a graduate certificate in compliance, risk, and anti-money laundering. Required courses include Risk Management and Legal Compliance; Forensic Accounting & Legal Issues; Accounting Systems Audit, Control and Security; and Statistical Data Mining. Visit https://www.usf.edu/innovative-education/graduate-certificates/programs/compliance-risk-anti-money-laundering.aspx.
- Investment Underwriters
- Private Equity Accountants and Auditors
- Private Equity Business Development Directors
- Private Equity Chief Dealmakers
- Private Equity Financial Managers
- Private Equity Investor Relations Specialists
- Private Equity Lawyers
- Private Equity Marketing Specialists
- Private Equity Research Analysts and Associates
- Private Equity Risk Managers