The model compliance officer

Harassed business prevention executive, stickler for form over substance, spouter of business-speak - or engaged, informed individual with a finely tuned and rounded skillset? Adam Samuel discusses how to do the crucial and challenging role of compliance.

Adam SamuelBA LLM DipPFS MCISI FCIArb Certs CII (MP&ER) Barrister and Attorney may be contacted atadamsamuel@aol.com.For links to where you can buy the second edition of 'Consumer Financial Services Complaints and Compensation', see www.adamsamuel.com/book.

The idea of compliance is relatively simple, at least in the abstract. It is the conformity with the standards laid down in the relevant rulebook(s). The major problems in this area stem not from defining the subject but how it should be done. That includes enquiring who should be performing this role and the knowledge, background and abilities required.