This practical guide covers companies offering AML audit services in London, from larger organisations with broader financial crime and regulatory capabilities to more focused AML specialists. It is designed as an overview rather than ranking companies against one another. Each company brings a different mix of sector experience, audit scope and regulatory focus, which can matter depending on the type of business and its compliance environment. The aim is to give useful context on who these companies are, the clients they support and the strengths of their AML-related services, so readers can compare options more clearly.
Acumon
Acumon is a UK firm of chartered accountants and registered auditors providing independent AML audit services to regulated businesses in London and across the UK. Its AML audit work is designed around Regulation 21 of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, which requires an independent audit function where appropriate to the size and nature of a regulated business.
The firm works with organisations including accountancy and legal practices, estate and letting agents, high-value dealers, art market participants, trust and company service providers, and cryptoasset businesses. AML engagements focus on whether policies, controls, and procedures are appropriately designed and whether they are being followed in day-to-day operations.
Acumon tests the firm-wide risk assessment, customer due diligence processes, enhanced due diligence, source of funds checks, ongoing monitoring, suspicious activity reporting arrangements, staff training, and record keeping. Reviews can include sampling real client files so that the audit examines operational practice rather than relying only on written policies and procedures.
The resulting report sets out the audit scope and methodology, identifies findings by severity, and provides practical recommendations with responsibilities and timescales. Follow-up reviews can be used to assess whether identified weaknesses have been addressed and whether remediation measures are operating effectively.
Acumon is an ICAEW-registered and FRC-authorised audit firm. Its broader regulatory audit capabilities include work with FCA-regulated entities, financial services businesses, legal practices, and other organisations operating within regulated environments. This audit background supports AML engagements where independence, documented testing, governance, and regulatory scrutiny are important considerations.
For London businesses, an independent AML audit may become relevant when preparing for supervisory review, assessing weaknesses in an established compliance framework, responding to changes in the organisation’s risk profile, or confirming that remediation actions have been implemented effectively.
AML Audit Capabilities
Acumon provides independent AML audit services across a range of regulated sectors and compliance environments.
These include:
- Firm-Wide Risk Assessment Reviews
- Customer Due Diligence And Enhanced Due Diligence Testing
- Source Of Funds And Client File Sampling
- Ongoing Monitoring And Transaction Control Reviews
- Suspicious Activity Reporting Process Testing
- AML Training And Record-Keeping Reviews
Audit findings are documented with identified weaknesses, severity assessments, recommended actions, responsibilities, and timescales.
Regulatory Licences and Registrations
Acumon holds audit registrations and regulatory authorisations that support its work with regulated organisations and businesses requiring independent assurance.
These include:
- ICAEW Registered Audit Practice
- FRC Authorisation For Public Interest Entity Audits
- Jersey Recognised Auditor Status
- Isle Of Man Recognised Auditor Status
- FCA Exempt Professional Firm Status
These registrations support Acumon’s wider audit and assurance work across UK regulated businesses and cross-border structures.
Core Services
In addition to independent AML audits, Acumon provides audit and assurance services that support financial reporting, governance, regulatory compliance, and internal controls.
These include:
- Independent AML Audits
- Statutory And External Audit
- Public Interest Entity Audits
- FCA-Regulated Financial Services Audits
- CASS Audits
- SRA Accounts Rules Audits
- Internal Audit And Governance Reviews
- Risk Management And Compliance Support
AML audit work can be relevant to organisations that are:
- Preparing For Regulatory Or Supervisory Review
- Reviewing An Existing AML Control Framework
- Testing CDD And EDD Processes Across Client Files
- Responding To Identified Compliance Weaknesses
- Assessing Whether Remediation Measures Have Been Implemented
- Strengthening Governance Around Financial Crime Risk
Independent testing gives management and compliance teams evidence on whether AML controls operate as intended and provides practical actions where gaps are identified.
Contact Information
- Website: acumon.com
- Phone: 020 8567 3451
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1-2 Craven Road, Ealing, London, W5 2UA, UK
Acumen Global Compliance
Acumen Global Compliance provides independent AML audits and financial crime reviews from its London base. Its services are particularly oriented toward FCA-regulated businesses, including payment institutions, e-money firms, fintech companies, cryptoasset businesses, money service businesses and wealth management providers.
Reviews can examine AML governance, risk assessments, customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, sanctions controls and the overall effectiveness of a financial crime framework. The company positions the audit as an independent assessment rather than simply an exercise in updating compliance documentation.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: FCA-regulated financial services and fintech businesses
- Core services: Independent AML audits, governance reviews, AML control testing
- Specialization: Payments, fintech, crypto and regulated financial services
- Location: Canary Wharf, London
- Notable strength: Focus on AML frameworks within FCA-regulated operating models
Contact Information
- Website: acumengcompliance.com
- Phone: +44 7852 806969
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf Estate, London E14 5AA, UK
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/acumen-global-compliance-ltd
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AcumenGlobalCompliance
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/acumengcompliance
One AML
One AML focuses specifically on independent AML and CFT audit, review and advisory work. Its UK operation supports businesses across regulated sectors and has a London address, making it relevant to organisations that want a specialist provider rather than a broader accountancy or consulting practice.
Its independent audit process includes planning, document requests, testing and verification, analysis and formal reporting. Operational testing can cover KYC, CDD and transaction monitoring, with larger audit scopes available where more extensive sampling is required. Post-audit remediation support is available separately.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Businesses seeking a specialist independent AML auditor
- Core services: AML/CFT audits, internal reviews, operational testing, remediation
- Specialization: Independent AML assurance and advisory
- Location: London
- Notable strength: Audit methodology built specifically around AML/CFT compliance
Contact Information
- Website: www.oneaml.io
- Phone: +44 20 4587 8876
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Level 1, 38, 40 Commercial Rd, London E1 1LN, United Kingdom
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/one-aml-audit
Thistle Initiatives
Thistle Initiatives is a regulatory compliance consultancy with financial crime capabilities covering AML, counter-terrorist financing and related controls. Its published AML audit work includes engagements for FCA-regulated businesses and cryptoasset companies.
Audit scopes can include governance, onboarding, customer due diligence, ongoing monitoring, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting and interviews with staff involved in AML operations. Reviews are assessed against relevant UK regulatory requirements, and the resulting report can include observations, recommendations and a management action plan.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: FCA-regulated businesses, payments companies and crypto firms
- Core services: AML audits, financial crime reviews, regulatory compliance support
- Specialization: FCA financial crime compliance
- Location: London
- Notable strength: Experience reviewing both conventional and crypto-related AML controls
Contact Information:
- Website: www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk
- Phone: 020 7436 0630
- Address: 2nd Floor, 4 St. Paul’s Churchyard, London, England, EC4M 8AY
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/thistle-initiatives
Crowe UK
Crowe UK provides AML audit and compliance services through its wider advisory practice. Its independent reviews assess whether AML policies, controls and procedures meet the requirements of the Money Laundering Regulations and whether the controls operate effectively in practice.
An AML audit can cover governance, risk assessment, customer due diligence, policies and procedures, personnel screening, training, suspicious activity reporting and data retention. Crowe also uses interviews and testing as part of the review process, making the service relevant to organisations that need more than a policy-level gap analysis.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Professional practices and regulated businesses
- Core services: Independent AML audits, control testing, policy reviews, financial crime advisory
- Specialization: AML compliance within a multidisciplinary advisory practice
- Location: London and other UK offices
- Notable strength: Combines AML specialists with wider audit and assurance capabilities
Contact Information
- Website: www.crowe.com
- Phone: +44 (0)20 7842 7100
- Address: 55 Ludgate Hill, London, EC4M 7JW
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/crowe-uk
- Twitter: x.com/CroweUK
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/crowe_uk
Kingsley Napley
Kingsley Napley provides independent AML audits primarily for legal practices. Its AML Assure service examines whether the compliance framework works in day-to-day practice rather than assessing documentation alone.
The review can include the firm’s approach to risk, policies, procedures and controls, AML training and a sample of client files. The audit team can then provide a detailed report and recommendations linked to relevant regulations and sector guidance. The service is particularly relevant to law firms preparing for SRA scrutiny or reviewing the effectiveness of existing AML arrangements.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Solicitors and law firms
- Core services: AML audits, file reviews, policy reviews, training assessments
- Specialization: Legal-sector AML compliance
- Location: London
- Notable strength: Strong focus on how AML controls are implemented within legal practices
Contact Information
- Website: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk
- Phone: +44 (0)20 7814 1200
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 20 Bonhill Street, London, EC2A 4DN
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/kingsleynapley
- Twitter: x.com/kingsleynapley
ABM Global Compliance
ABM Global Compliance provides audit and assurance services for payment institutions, electronic money institutions and other regulated financial businesses. Its London operation offers independent internal AML audits focused on the effectiveness of AML and CFT controls.
The review can examine CDD, EDD, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting, client risk scoring, ongoing monitoring and escalation processes. ABM can also assess regulatory inspection readiness and identify gaps that need remediation before an FCA or HMRC review.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Payment institutions and e-money businesses
- Core services: Independent AML audits, control testing, regulatory readiness reviews
- Specialization: FCA-regulated payments and e-money businesses
- Location: Canary Wharf, London
- Notable strength: Detailed testing of operational AML controls in payments environments
Contact Information
- Website: abmglobalcompliance.com
- Phone: +44 (0) 207 515 7080
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Suite 3G & 3H The Docklands Business Centre 10 Tiller Road, Canary Wharf London E14 8PX
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/abmglobalcompliance
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AbmGlobalCompliance
- Twitter: x.com/abmglobalcom
Compass Audit
Compass Audit concentrates on independent compliance audits for UK payment institutions and e-money institutions. AML testing forms a central part of its service, with the audit assessing policies, procedures, personnel and controls against the regulatory framework applying to the business.
Its work is particularly relevant to payments companies that need a specialist external audit rather than a broad financial crime consultancy engagement. Audit scopes can also incorporate elements of the Payment Services Regulations or E-Money Regulations where required.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Payment institutions and e-money institutions
- Core services: AML compliance audits, external compliance audits, regulatory control testing
- Specialization: UK payments sector
- Geographic coverage: UK, with substantial work involving London businesses
- Notable strength: Narrow focus on compliance auditing for payments and e-money companies
Contact Information
- Website: compass-audit.co.uk
- Phone: +44 (0) 207 867 3965
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Forsyth House, Cromac Square, Belfast, BT2 8LA
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nick-p-83751a52
Weightmans
Weightmans provides Regulation 21 independent AML audits as part of its regulatory legal services. The service is designed to assess whether AML policies, controls and procedures comply with applicable requirements and whether they function as intended.
The audit can include risk assessment and policy reviews, interviews with MLROs, MLCOs and other personnel, client file testing, customer due diligence assessment and examination of ongoing monitoring arrangements. Reviews are generally delivered remotely, which allows London organisations to use the service without requiring a local audit team throughout the engagement.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Law firms, accountants and other regulated professional services businesses
- Core services: Regulation 21 AML audits, file testing, staff interviews, compliance reviews
- Specialization: Regulatory and professional-practice compliance
- Delivery: Remote AML audits available
- Notable strength: Legal and regulatory perspective on independent AML testing
Contact Information
- Website: www.weightmans.com
- Phone: +44 (0)345 073 9900
- Address: The Hallmark Building, 105 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 5JG
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/weightmans
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/weightmansllp
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/weightmans_law
Forvis Mazars
Forvis Mazars provides financial crime risk management and compliance services alongside internal audit and broader assurance work. Its London financial crime specialists conduct independent assessments of financial crime frameworks, including policies, procedures, systems and controls.
Engagements can cover AML and CFT risk, business-wide risk assessments, customer risk models, operational effectiveness testing, sanctions compliance and remediation assurance. Its internal audit practice can also examine financial crime as part of wider audit plans for banks and capital markets businesses.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Banks, investment businesses and larger regulated organisations
- Core services: Financial crime reviews, AML control testing, internal audit, regulatory assurance
- Specialization: Complex financial services environments
- Location: London
- Notable strength: Ability to combine AML specialists with internal audit and regulatory consulting teams
Contact Information
- Website: www.forvismazars.com
- Phone: +44 (0) 20 7063 4000
- Address: 30 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7AU, United Kingdom
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/forvis-mazars-in-the-uk
- Twitter: x.com/ForvisMazarsUK
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/forvismazarsuk
Protiviti
Protiviti’s UK financial crime practice provides independent testing of AML programmes alongside broader advisory, remediation and technology work. It can perform testing on an outsourced or co-sourced basis or work with an organisation’s internal audit department.
The scope may include AML and CFT risk assessments, sanctions controls, transaction monitoring systems, data validation, model testing and remediation validation. This makes Protiviti particularly relevant where the audit needs to examine both the compliance framework and the technology used to operate it.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Financial institutions with complex AML systems
- Core services: Independent AML testing, internal audit support, model validation, financial crime reviews
- Specialization: AML compliance, data and financial crime technology
- UK presence: UK financial services regulatory practice
- Notable strength: Testing of both AML programmes and supporting systems
Contact Information
- Website: www.protiviti.com
- Phone: +44.20.7930.8808
- Address: The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG, United Kingdom
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/protiviti-uk-
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Protiviti
- Twitter: x.com/ProtivitiUK
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/protiviti.uk
Compliance Office
Compliance Office focuses on regulatory support for law firms and provides independent AML audits alongside wider SRA compliance work. Its team includes former practising solicitors and former SRA personnel, giving the service a clear legal-sector orientation.
Independent audits can be combined with wider compliance health checks where a law firm wants to examine both its AML arrangements and other SRA obligations. The company can separately help with policies, file reviews, training and outsourced compliance support, although independence needs to be considered when defining the scope of any audit engagement.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: SRA-regulated law firms
- Core services: Independent AML audits, file reviews, compliance health checks
- Specialization: Solicitors Regulation Authority compliance
- Delivery: UK legal-sector compliance support
- Notable strength: Audit team with legal and regulatory backgrounds
Contact Information
- Website: complianceoffice.co.uk
- Phone: 01789 868444
- Address: 20 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HN
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/the-compliance-office-ltd
Lexsure
Lexsure provides independent AML audits for solicitors and legal practices, with services structured around Regulation 21 of the Money Laundering Regulations. Its work is focused on identifying gaps between documented AML procedures and the controls being applied across client matters.
Reviews can include firm-wide and matter-level risk assessments, client file testing, policies, procedures, staff training and governance arrangements. The resulting audit report gives legal practices a structured view of compliance weaknesses and areas requiring remediation.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Solicitors And Smaller Legal Practices
- Core services: Independent AML Audits, Client File Reviews, AML Risk Assessments
- Specialization: Regulation 21 Compliance For Law Firms
- Location: London, UK
- Notable strength: Focused AML Audit Service For The Legal Sector
Contact Information
- Website: lexsure.com
- Phone: +44 (0) 207 692 7020
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Lexsure Ltd., 78 York Street, London, W1H 1DP
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lexsure
Conclusion
Choosing an AML audit company in London depends on business size, sector, the maturity of existing compliance processes and the regulatory requirements involved. Some companies combine AML audit work with wider financial crime, risk and regulatory services, while others focus more narrowly on independent AML reviews and control testing. That difference can be important when deciding whether the business needs a broader assurance relationship or specialist support for a defined compliance area. This guide provides neutral context for comparing those approaches and identifying a company that fits the organisation’s circumstances. A suitable partner should provide independent assurance together with practical recommendations that reduce compliance risk and strengthen operational resilience.