Alicja Kowalska
Warszawa,Polska
Summary
A results-driven compliance professional with over six years of experience in Financial Crime Prevention, specializing in KYC, AML, and transaction screening. Experienced in identifying and analyzing suspicious activities, conducting thorough investigations, and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks. Proficient in managing complex cases, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and contributing to projects aimed at improving compliance processes. Strong communicator with a keen ability to adapt to evolving regulatory requirements. Seeking to leverage my investigative expertise and passion for financial crime prevention as a Compliance Officer in the Suspicious Activity Reporting Office (SARO) at Danske Bank.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Officer – Business Risk & Controls
Danske Bank
10.2023 - 01.2025
- Temporarily participating in the Erasmus Initiative to address QA backlog
- Testing the quality of approved KYC records in accordance with Global KYC and Quality Assurance Standards
- Reviewing the reliability and integrity of data collected and challenging assumptions where appropriate
- Identifying key issues, risks, and trends; performing root cause analysis and making recommendations for addressing deficiencies or improvements to business processes
- Presenting results to key stakeholders and tracking corrections to identified critical defects
- Collaborating with global partners to ensure consistency with the Global QA framework and governance approach
- Considering regulatory requirements and best practices to implement process changes
Senior KYC Analyst
Danske Bank
08.2023 - 10.2024
- Performed 4-Eye Control and Quality Control checks
- Participated in project tasks
- Consulted colleagues on more complex cases to assess AML risks for the bank and acted as an intermediary between the team and risk managers
- Made independent decisions in complex cases
- Supported colleagues with their tasks
- Investigated and concluded more complex cases
- Conducted training on internal quality standards
KYC Analyst
Danske Bank
01.2019 - 07.2023
- Performed Customer Due Diligence to meet AML requirements
- Analyzed and assessed AML and Counter-Terrorist Financing risks
- Consulted and mentored junior team members
- Ensured quality communication with other business units
Tech SME in Fenergo Project
Danske Bank
05.2022 - 04.2023
- Shaped new case handling workflows and processes in Fenergo
- Ensured that Cerebro requirements were covered in Fenergo
- Enhanced the Fenergo tool handbook with operational guidance and tips for analysts
- Designed and ran test cases to validate newly deployed Fenergo features
Customer Service Specialist
Teleperformance
11.2017 - 12.2018
- Handled inbound/outbound customer contacts across various channels (phone, chat, email)
- Responded to inquiries and troubleshot problems
- Handled complaints and processed customer correspondence, all in English
AML/KYC Analyst
Citibank Europe PLC
11.2016 - 10.2017
- Analyzed alerts and investigated transactional activities to detect suspicious money laundering or terrorist financing activity
- Conducted searches, gathered data, and recorded evidence from internal systems, the internet, commercial databases, and inquiries with business or compliance contacts
- Accumulated facts from investigations to support policies and procedures, creating and maintaining cases
- Analyzed client activities related to money laundering or terrorist financing, subjecting them to Senior Analyst verification and authorization
- Conducted investigations using global standard policies, procedures, and tools to meet regulatory requirements
English Teacher
Language Schools
01.2013 - 10.2016
- Conducted language courses in companies
Editor
Add Value, LoveEurope
12.2012 - 01.2013
- Edited and corrected texts and graphic layouts
Promotion Specialist
The Office of Culture, Warsaw City Hall
02.2004 - 01.2009
- Designed and updated posters with city theatre programs and organized their distribution
- Updated the website for city theatres
- Oversaw the activities of city theatres and wrote reports on their activities
- Prepared drafts of documents
Team Leader, Production and Publishing Unit
Tele Magazyn (Polska Press - Publishing House)
10.1999 - 12.2003
- Edited magazines with television programs and designed their graphical layout
- Established requirements for publishing advertisements
- Collaborated with a printing house and advised on printing parameters
Editor
H. Bauer Publishing House
06.1998 - 10.1999
- Edited magazines with television programs
- Selected illustrative photos
Graphic Systems Specialist
Panorama Firm Publishing House
06.1993 - 04.1998
- Designed graphic advertisements
- Configured graphic systems
- Purchased and tested new programs
- Supervised and trained DTP operators
Education
Postgraduate Studies - English Language Teaching
Centre for Foreign Language Teacher Training and European Education
10.2013 - 02.2015
Postgraduate Studies - Sociology
Graduate School for Social Research
10.2008 - 06.2011
Master of Arts - Culture and Society
Lancaster University
10.2005 - 06.2008
Postgraduate Studies - New Technologies in Printing
Institute of Printing Technology
10.2003 - 09.2004
Master of Arts - Polish Philology and Literature
Warsaw University
10.2003 - 09.2004
Skills
Financial Crime Prevention: Extensive experience in KYC, AML, and CTF processes, with a focus on investigating suspicious activities and mitigating financial crime risks
Investigative & Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyze transactional data, identify red flags, and conduct investigations to assess potential risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing
Regulatory Compliance: In-depth understanding of global AML, CTF regulations, and KYC standards, with a proven track record of ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements
Project Management: Experience managing projects and collaborating with stakeholders to improve business processes, including significant contributions to the Fenergo project
Quality Assurance & Reporting: Skilled in conducting quality control checks, preparing detailed reports, and presenting findings to senior stakeholders
Communication & Collaboration: Expertise in mentoring teams, facilitating training, and providing advisory support on complex cases and compliance issues
Languages: Fluent in English, with a working knowledge of German
Languages
English
Fluent
German
Intermediate
Affiliations
- Playing drums in a samba band (Ritmo Bloco), swimming, jogging, reading books, listening to music, attending concerts, watching documentary films, travelling.
Certification
05/2024
ICA Advanced Certificate in Managing Sanctions Risk, International Compliance Association
02/2023
ICA Advanced Certificate in Practical CDD, International Compliance Association
Timeline
Officer – Business Risk & Controls
Danske Bank
10.2023 - 01.2025
Senior KYC Analyst
Danske Bank
08.2023 - 10.2024
Tech SME in Fenergo Project
Danske Bank
05.2022 - 04.2023
KYC Analyst
Danske Bank
01.2019 - 07.2023
Customer Service Specialist
Teleperformance
11.2017 - 12.2018
AML/KYC Analyst
Citibank Europe PLC
11.2016 - 10.2017
Postgraduate Studies - English Language Teaching
Centre for Foreign Language Teacher Training and European Education
10.2013 - 02.2015
English Teacher
Language Schools
01.2013 - 10.2016
Editor
Add Value, LoveEurope
12.2012 - 01.2013
Postgraduate Studies - Sociology
Graduate School for Social Research
10.2008 - 06.2011
Master of Arts - Culture and Society
Lancaster University
10.2005 - 06.2008
Promotion Specialist
The Office of Culture, Warsaw City Hall
02.2004 - 01.2009
Postgraduate Studies - New Technologies in Printing
Institute of Printing Technology
10.2003 - 09.2004
Master of Arts - Polish Philology and Literature
Warsaw University
10.2003 - 09.2004
Team Leader, Production and Publishing Unit
Tele Magazyn (Polska Press - Publishing House)
10.1999 - 12.2003
Editor
H. Bauer Publishing House
06.1998 - 10.1999
Graphic Systems Specialist
Panorama Firm Publishing House
06.1993 - 04.1998
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