The Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists^® (ACAMS^®) is a membership based organization that serves as a platform for career development and professional networking for individuals in a wide range of industries, including the rapidly expanding anti-money laundering (AML) field. The organization provides resources for financial institutions and related businesses that help train, identify and locate practitioners who specialize in money laundering control policies, procedures & regulations.

The mission of ACAMS is to advance the professional knowledge, skills and experience of those dedicated to the detection and prevention of money laundering around the world, and to promote the development and implementation of sound anti-money laundering policies and procedures.

ACAMS grew from an expanding need to identify professionals with clearly defined expertise in the field of money laundering detection, prevention and control. The organization develops anti-money laundering programs and certifies specialists in financial and non-financial businesses and government agencies. ACAMS aims to help financial institutions remain in compliance by providing information on money laundering laws and regulations of the United States and other countries, including the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act and the USA PATRIOT Act.

The association seeks to help compliance officers, anti-money laundering specialists, in-service and retired government regulators and enforcement agents perform their duties well by providing up-to-date information, education, career development and professional networking opportunities.

ACAMS also offers the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) designation. Candidates earn the CAMS credential by successfully completing a rigorous examination designed by industry leaders and an independent testing firm. The examination provides an objective measure of a professional’s knowledge of industry best practices, anti-money laundering standards and other areas that are crucial in the field. The CAMS credential is increasingly becoming the gold standard in the industry. By providing the CAMS designation ACAMS enables financial institutions, trades, businesses and government agencies identify experts in the field from which they may recruit personnel who meet certified standards. The organization’s goal is to support the efforts of ACAMS members as they evolve as professionals and expand their employment prospects.

ACAMS Staff

Executive Director: Gregory Calpakis, CAMS

General Manager: Katleen Richardson

Global Director, ACAMS Events: Eva Bender

Director, Asia Pacific Region: Hue Dang

Director, Latin American Region: Gonzalo Vila

Director, Education & Training, ACAMS Events: Paula Niño

Director, Events Logistics, ACAMS Events: Barbara Sanz

Editorial/Communications Manager : Karla Monterrosa-Yancey, CAMS

Senior Managers, Education & Training, ACAMS Events: Starr Davis, CAMS

Member Services Managers: Connie Nieto and Todd Wright

Member Services Representatives: Erica Araujo, Zuley Cortes, Murray Bowan, Teresa Jenkins

Marketing Manager: Kourtney Llopis

Chapter Liaison: Catalina Martinez

Certification Manager: Giovanna Oquendo

Certification Coordinator: Vanessa Rivera

Account Executives: Geoffrey Chunowitz, CAMS, David Kehr, Sonia Leon, Camila Levy and Jose Lewis

Account Coordinators: Ximena Restrepo

Corporate Sponsorship and Advertising: Andrea Winter

Senior Manager, Events Logistics, ACAMS Events: Zulema Moreno

Manager, Event Logistics, ACAMS Events: Miguel Rodriguez

What People are saying about ACAMS

"Membership in ACAMS and CAMS certification are the mark of a true AML professional. We encourage our AML employees to join, and seek these credentials in our new recruits."

Dan D. Soto, CAMS, Compliance Managing Director AML/BSA, Wachovia Corporation