AML/CTF compliance software for accountants.
From 1 July 2026, accounting practices providing certain services must comply with Australia's AML/CTF laws. ClientCheck gives your practice every tool to meet AUSTRAC's requirements — without a dedicated compliance team.
Are you captured?
Which accounting services trigger AML/CTF obligations?
Not every accounting service is a “designated service” under Tranche 2. Here's a plain-English breakdown of what is and isn't captured.
Service
Captured?
Forming companies or registering businesses on behalf of a client
CapturedActing as — or arranging for another person to act as — a company director or trustee
CapturedManaging client money, accounts, or assets
CapturedAssisting clients with buying or selling real property
CapturedProviding trust and company secretarial services
CapturedStandard tax return preparation (no entity formation or money management)
Likely notPreparing financial statements only
Likely notProviding general business advice without client money management
Likely notThis is a simplified guide only. Confirm your specific services against AUSTRAC's published list of designated services for accounting practices.
What you must do
Your obligations as a captured accounting practice.
AUSTRAC requires captured accounting practices to have all four of these in place from 1 July 2026.
Know your client
Verify every client's identity before providing a designated service. For entities, identify beneficial owners and controllers. Assess risk level and screen against DFAT sanctions.
ClientCheck: ClientCheck runs your staff through each step — identity, beneficial ownership, risk rating, and automated DFAT sanctions screening.
Maintain your AML/CTF program
Have a written AML/CTF program covering risk assessment, policies, procedures, staff training, and annual review — consistent with AUSTRAC's Accounting Program Starter Kit.
ClientCheck: ClientCheck generates your full program from a questionnaire. Risk assessment, policy, and process documents all included.
Report suspicious matters
When a client relationship raises concerns, you have a legal obligation to report it to AUSTRAC. Timeframes apply and penalties for non-reporting are significant.
ClientCheck: ClientCheck guides your AMLCO through drafting and submitting suspicious matter reports, with deadlines tracked automatically.
Report large cash transactions
Any physical cash transaction of $10,000 or more must be reported to AUSTRAC within 10 business days. No threshold below $10,000.
ClientCheck: ClientCheck flags threshold transactions, generates the report, and tracks the 10-business-day deadline.
How it works
Set up in an afternoon. Run it every day.
Generate your AML/CTF program
Answer a guided questionnaire about your practice. ClientCheck generates your risk assessment, policy, and procedures — consistent with AUSTRAC's Accounting Program Starter Kit. Takes about two hours.
Run CDD on every applicable client
When a client needs a designated service, your staff open a structured workflow. ClientCheck guides them through identity verification, beneficial ownership, risk rating, and sanctions screening.
Records and reports look after themselves
Every action is logged with a timestamp. Annual compliance reports are pre-filled from recorded activity. If AUSTRAC ever asks, everything is there — structured and retrievable.
Common questions
Accountant AML/CTF questions, answered.
Do accountants need to comply with AML/CTF laws in Australia?
From 1 July 2026, accounting practices that provide certain designated services must comply with Australia's AML/CTF Act under Tranche 2. Designated services include company formation, acting as a trustee, managing client money, and assisting with certain property transactions. Practices providing these services must enrol with AUSTRAC, maintain an AML/CTF program, conduct client due diligence, screen clients against sanctions lists, and file required reports.
What AML checks do accountants need to run on clients?
Before providing a designated service, accountants must verify each client's identity, identify beneficial owners for entity clients, assess the client's risk level, and screen them against DFAT's consolidated sanctions list. For higher-risk clients, enhanced due diligence is required. All checks and decisions must be documented and records retained for 7 years from the end of each client relationship.
What is the deadline for accountants to comply with AML/CTF?
AML/CTF obligations for accounting practices begin on 1 July 2026. AUSTRAC enrolment must be completed by 29 July 2026 — 28 days after obligations commence. The enrolment portal is already open. Practices should have their AML/CTF program in place, staff trained, and CDD workflows running before 1 July 2026.
What does an accounting practice's AML/CTF program need to include?
An accounting practice's AML/CTF program must include a risk assessment covering client, product, and service risks; a policy document describing controls; a procedures document for staff; a staff training program; and a process for annual review. The program should align with AUSTRAC's Accounting Program Starter Kit. ClientCheck generates all required documents from a guided questionnaire.
69 days until 1 July 2026
Get your accounting practice compliant.
Start your 14-day free trial today. Set up your AML/CTF program in an afternoon.
No credit card required. From $49/month.
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