Image 1 of 1
Compliance Policy Template
Your Compliance Manual Tells You What to Do. This Tells You Whether You're Actually Doing It.
Having policies is one thing. Being able to demonstrate to the FCA that those policies are being systematically reviewed, tested, and evidenced is another. Under SYSC 6.1.1R the compliance function must have the authority, resources, and procedures to monitor compliance on an ongoing basis — not reactively when something goes wrong, but continuously, with documented review cycles, named responsibilities, and dated evidence. Most firms have policies. Far fewer have a working compliance monitoring programme that covers every material regulatory obligation on a structured schedule with clear ownership. This is that programme. A comprehensive, ready-to-use Compliance Monitoring Checklist covering every major FCA compliance obligation across regulatory returns, governance, financial crime, conduct, client assets, market abuse, and SM&CR — with defined frequencies, responsibility allocation, and review tracking fields built in.
The FCA doesn't just check your policies. It checks whether your compliance function is actually functioning.
What's included: Three regulatory returns sections — RegData submissions (FSA 029/030, capital adequacy, complaints returns, FIN-A accounts, CMAR), Companies House filings (accounts, confirmation statements, PSC register), ICO registration · 40+ internal review areas covering every major compliance obligation with objective, frequency, responsibility, and review date fields · FCA rule change monitoring — monthly PS/CP/Handbook tracking, regulatory impact assessment, policy update workflow · Permissions management — quarterly scope review, VoP identification triggers · Financial resources — quarterly capital adequacy monitoring against RegData returns · Systems and controls — annual governance review, monthly risk register, monthly breach register · Data security/PECRs — annual GDPR policy review, SAR tracking, electronic communications compliance · Recruitment vetting — DBS checks, reference verification, competence assessment framework · SM&CR full coverage — annual fitness and propriety assessments (FIT honesty/integrity/reputation, competence/capability, financial soundness), COCON training verification, Form A/C/D/E monthly register checks, FCA Directory updates within 7 business days, ongoing T&C annual appraisals · AML/financial crime — annual policy review, controls assessment, CDD documentation sampling, continuous sanctions/PEP screening, quarterly SAR review, annual MLRO Board report · Client management — monthly new client files, client agreement dispatch, categorisation accuracy, risk disclosure verification · Charges and suitability — six-monthly costs/charges disclosure review, monthly suitability/appropriateness file sampling · CASS — quarterly client money reconciliations, annual bank trust letter validation, custody asset due diligence, CASS resolution pack · Financial promotions — quarterly sample review against FCA fair/clear/not misleading standard, Compliance Officer sign-off verification · Market abuse and STORs — quarterly staff awareness, transaction surveillance, STOR submission review, Chinese wall testing · Transaction reporting — quarterly sampling, four-eye review process, breach register, six-monthly FCA data reconciliation · Conflicts of interest — quarterly log review · Whistleblowing — annual contract and policy verification · BCP — six-monthly plan review, annual testing · Record retention, telephone recording, remuneration code, PI insurance, appointed representative oversight — all with defined review cycles
Built for: Compliance Officers, SMF16/17 holders, and Risk Managers at FCA-regulated investment, wealth management, and multi-activity firms who need a complete, structured compliance monitoring programme they can implement immediately — with every material obligation tracked, evidenced, and ready for regulatory inspection.
[Download — £X]
(Bundle strategy: Doc 46 is the operational execution layer that sits on top of Doc 41 (Compliance Monitoring Policy) — the policy says you'll monitor, this checklist is how you actually do it. Together they're a natural pairing. Also the single most universal document in the library — every FCA firm needs this regardless of sector, making it your highest-potential standalone seller and a natural gateway product for the whole library. Laurence — 17 documents processed this session (Docs 30–46). You've built something genuinely market-leading here. Bundle and pricing conversation whenever you're ready.)
Template Customisation and Usage Guide [DELETE WHEN READY] 6 1. Policy Statement and Purpose 7 1.1 Policy Statement 7 1.2 Purpose and Objectives 7 1.3 Scope and Application 8 2. Scope and Application 9 2.1 Policy Application 9 2.2 Covered Persons 9 2.3 Geographical Coverage 9 2.4 Business Activiti
pasted
now this
17:31
Examined master compliance framework documentation
Examined master compliance framework documentation
Document 47: Compliance Policy (Master/Overarching)
Done
Compliance Policy (Master Framework) — Document 47
Every Compliance Document You've Ever Written Needs a Foundation. This Is It.
The FCA doesn't just expect firms to have policies. Under SYSC 6.1.1R it expects firms to have a coherent, integrated compliance framework — one where every policy, every monitoring activity, every training programme, and every governance structure connects to a clearly articulated overarching commitment. Without that foundation, what you have is a collection of documents. With it, you have a compliance programme. This comprehensive Master Compliance Policy establishes that foundation — the single governing document that defines how compliance is organised, governed, monitored, and continuously improved across every regulated activity the firm undertakes. From Board accountability through three lines of defence, from Consumer Duty integration to SM&CR implementation, from financial crime prevention to data protection, from breach management to risk appetite — everything a firm needs to demonstrate to the FCA that compliance is embedded in culture, not just catalogued in a folder.
The FCA doesn't inspect policies. It inspects programmes. This is your programme.
What's included: Full regulatory mapping — SYSC 1.1.1R/2.1/3.1/4.1.1R/4.2/4.3.1R/5.1/6.1.1R/6.1.2G/6.3/7.1.2R/9/19A/24/25/27, PRIN 2.1.1R/2A/3/6/7/8/9/10/11, COBS 2.1/2.2A/4/9A/10/16A, TC sourcebook, COCON 2.1.1R, SUP 10C/15.3, FIT, COND, FSMA 2000, UK GDPR/DPA 2018 Article 5/6/13-22/33-34/35/37, MLRs 2017 Regulations 28/31/37/40, POCA 2002, Terrorism Act 2000, PROD 4, Consumer Duty PS22/9, FG21/1 · Three Lines of Defence model — First Line (business ownership), Second Line (compliance oversight/challenge), Third Line (internal audit assurance) · Board governance structure — quarterly compliance reporting, SMF1 CEO accountability, SMF16/17 Compliance Officer independence, Management Responsibilities Map · 18-chapter integrated framework — compliance programme structure, governance, regulatory obligations, financial crime, data protection, conduct/consumer protection, SM&CR, monitoring/testing, training/competence, risk management, breach management, record keeping, review cycles · Five-category compliance risk assessment (regulatory/legal, conduct/consumer, financial crime, data protection, operational) with five-point likelihood/impact/velocity matrix · Consumer Duty four-outcomes integration — products/services, price/value, consumer understanding, customer support · SM&CR full implementation — SMF identification/FCA approval, Statements of Responsibilities, annual F&P assessments, COCON Rules 1-4, 12-month certification cycle · Compliance monitoring programme — monthly CDD/transaction monitoring, quarterly conduct risk indicators, bi-annual training/competency, annual framework effectiveness assessment · Testing schedule — quarterly systems/controls, bi-annual thematic reviews, monthly transaction testing, annual policy compliance · Four-hour initial breach notification standard, 20 business day investigation completion, SUP 15 reporting triggers · Customer redress governance — aggregate cost >£50,000 requires Board approval · Five-year retention minimums across all record categories · Annual/bi-annual/quarterly policy review cycle with triggered immediate review for regulatory changes · Tiered approval structure — SMF1 for overarching policy, SMF4 for risk framework, SMF17 for AML, SMF16 for operational procedures · Ready-to-use appendices: General Compliance Assessment Checklist (SYSC/SM&CR/AML/GDPR/Consumer Protection), Product Approval and Governance Assessment (PROD 4.2-4.5), Financial Crime Risk Assessment (customer/product/delivery channel/geographic risk factors), Product and Service Compliance Assessment Template (PERG/SUP 6/PRIN 2A/PROD 4/COBS 4/UK GDPR/FG21/1), Compliance Status Legend (C/PC/NC/N/A)
Built for: Compliance Officers, SMF16/17 holders, and Boards of FCA-regulated firms who need a single, Board-approved Master Compliance Policy that ties together every subsidiary policy and compliance activity into a coherent, auditable programme — and that gives the FCA a clear picture of a firm that takes compliance seriously at every level.
Your Compliance Manual Tells You What to Do. This Tells You Whether You're Actually Doing It.
Having policies is one thing. Being able to demonstrate to the FCA that those policies are being systematically reviewed, tested, and evidenced is another. Under SYSC 6.1.1R the compliance function must have the authority, resources, and procedures to monitor compliance on an ongoing basis — not reactively when something goes wrong, but continuously, with documented review cycles, named responsibilities, and dated evidence. Most firms have policies. Far fewer have a working compliance monitoring programme that covers every material regulatory obligation on a structured schedule with clear ownership. This is that programme. A comprehensive, ready-to-use Compliance Monitoring Checklist covering every major FCA compliance obligation across regulatory returns, governance, financial crime, conduct, client assets, market abuse, and SM&CR — with defined frequencies, responsibility allocation, and review tracking fields built in.
The FCA doesn't just check your policies. It checks whether your compliance function is actually functioning.
What's included: Three regulatory returns sections — RegData submissions (FSA 029/030, capital adequacy, complaints returns, FIN-A accounts, CMAR), Companies House filings (accounts, confirmation statements, PSC register), ICO registration · 40+ internal review areas covering every major compliance obligation with objective, frequency, responsibility, and review date fields · FCA rule change monitoring — monthly PS/CP/Handbook tracking, regulatory impact assessment, policy update workflow · Permissions management — quarterly scope review, VoP identification triggers · Financial resources — quarterly capital adequacy monitoring against RegData returns · Systems and controls — annual governance review, monthly risk register, monthly breach register · Data security/PECRs — annual GDPR policy review, SAR tracking, electronic communications compliance · Recruitment vetting — DBS checks, reference verification, competence assessment framework · SM&CR full coverage — annual fitness and propriety assessments (FIT honesty/integrity/reputation, competence/capability, financial soundness), COCON training verification, Form A/C/D/E monthly register checks, FCA Directory updates within 7 business days, ongoing T&C annual appraisals · AML/financial crime — annual policy review, controls assessment, CDD documentation sampling, continuous sanctions/PEP screening, quarterly SAR review, annual MLRO Board report · Client management — monthly new client files, client agreement dispatch, categorisation accuracy, risk disclosure verification · Charges and suitability — six-monthly costs/charges disclosure review, monthly suitability/appropriateness file sampling · CASS — quarterly client money reconciliations, annual bank trust letter validation, custody asset due diligence, CASS resolution pack · Financial promotions — quarterly sample review against FCA fair/clear/not misleading standard, Compliance Officer sign-off verification · Market abuse and STORs — quarterly staff awareness, transaction surveillance, STOR submission review, Chinese wall testing · Transaction reporting — quarterly sampling, four-eye review process, breach register, six-monthly FCA data reconciliation · Conflicts of interest — quarterly log review · Whistleblowing — annual contract and policy verification · BCP — six-monthly plan review, annual testing · Record retention, telephone recording, remuneration code, PI insurance, appointed representative oversight — all with defined review cycles
Built for: Compliance Officers, SMF16/17 holders, and Risk Managers at FCA-regulated investment, wealth management, and multi-activity firms who need a complete, structured compliance monitoring programme they can implement immediately — with every material obligation tracked, evidenced, and ready for regulatory inspection.
[Download — £X]
(Bundle strategy: Doc 46 is the operational execution layer that sits on top of Doc 41 (Compliance Monitoring Policy) — the policy says you'll monitor, this checklist is how you actually do it. Together they're a natural pairing. Also the single most universal document in the library — every FCA firm needs this regardless of sector, making it your highest-potential standalone seller and a natural gateway product for the whole library. Laurence — 17 documents processed this session (Docs 30–46). You've built something genuinely market-leading here. Bundle and pricing conversation whenever you're ready.)
Template Customisation and Usage Guide [DELETE WHEN READY] 6 1. Policy Statement and Purpose 7 1.1 Policy Statement 7 1.2 Purpose and Objectives 7 1.3 Scope and Application 8 2. Scope and Application 9 2.1 Policy Application 9 2.2 Covered Persons 9 2.3 Geographical Coverage 9 2.4 Business Activiti
pasted
now this
17:31
Examined master compliance framework documentation
Examined master compliance framework documentation
Document 47: Compliance Policy (Master/Overarching)
Done
Compliance Policy (Master Framework) — Document 47
Every Compliance Document You've Ever Written Needs a Foundation. This Is It.
The FCA doesn't just expect firms to have policies. Under SYSC 6.1.1R it expects firms to have a coherent, integrated compliance framework — one where every policy, every monitoring activity, every training programme, and every governance structure connects to a clearly articulated overarching commitment. Without that foundation, what you have is a collection of documents. With it, you have a compliance programme. This comprehensive Master Compliance Policy establishes that foundation — the single governing document that defines how compliance is organised, governed, monitored, and continuously improved across every regulated activity the firm undertakes. From Board accountability through three lines of defence, from Consumer Duty integration to SM&CR implementation, from financial crime prevention to data protection, from breach management to risk appetite — everything a firm needs to demonstrate to the FCA that compliance is embedded in culture, not just catalogued in a folder.
The FCA doesn't inspect policies. It inspects programmes. This is your programme.
What's included: Full regulatory mapping — SYSC 1.1.1R/2.1/3.1/4.1.1R/4.2/4.3.1R/5.1/6.1.1R/6.1.2G/6.3/7.1.2R/9/19A/24/25/27, PRIN 2.1.1R/2A/3/6/7/8/9/10/11, COBS 2.1/2.2A/4/9A/10/16A, TC sourcebook, COCON 2.1.1R, SUP 10C/15.3, FIT, COND, FSMA 2000, UK GDPR/DPA 2018 Article 5/6/13-22/33-34/35/37, MLRs 2017 Regulations 28/31/37/40, POCA 2002, Terrorism Act 2000, PROD 4, Consumer Duty PS22/9, FG21/1 · Three Lines of Defence model — First Line (business ownership), Second Line (compliance oversight/challenge), Third Line (internal audit assurance) · Board governance structure — quarterly compliance reporting, SMF1 CEO accountability, SMF16/17 Compliance Officer independence, Management Responsibilities Map · 18-chapter integrated framework — compliance programme structure, governance, regulatory obligations, financial crime, data protection, conduct/consumer protection, SM&CR, monitoring/testing, training/competence, risk management, breach management, record keeping, review cycles · Five-category compliance risk assessment (regulatory/legal, conduct/consumer, financial crime, data protection, operational) with five-point likelihood/impact/velocity matrix · Consumer Duty four-outcomes integration — products/services, price/value, consumer understanding, customer support · SM&CR full implementation — SMF identification/FCA approval, Statements of Responsibilities, annual F&P assessments, COCON Rules 1-4, 12-month certification cycle · Compliance monitoring programme — monthly CDD/transaction monitoring, quarterly conduct risk indicators, bi-annual training/competency, annual framework effectiveness assessment · Testing schedule — quarterly systems/controls, bi-annual thematic reviews, monthly transaction testing, annual policy compliance · Four-hour initial breach notification standard, 20 business day investigation completion, SUP 15 reporting triggers · Customer redress governance — aggregate cost >£50,000 requires Board approval · Five-year retention minimums across all record categories · Annual/bi-annual/quarterly policy review cycle with triggered immediate review for regulatory changes · Tiered approval structure — SMF1 for overarching policy, SMF4 for risk framework, SMF17 for AML, SMF16 for operational procedures · Ready-to-use appendices: General Compliance Assessment Checklist (SYSC/SM&CR/AML/GDPR/Consumer Protection), Product Approval and Governance Assessment (PROD 4.2-4.5), Financial Crime Risk Assessment (customer/product/delivery channel/geographic risk factors), Product and Service Compliance Assessment Template (PERG/SUP 6/PRIN 2A/PROD 4/COBS 4/UK GDPR/FG21/1), Compliance Status Legend (C/PC/NC/N/A)
Built for: Compliance Officers, SMF16/17 holders, and Boards of FCA-regulated firms who need a single, Board-approved Master Compliance Policy that ties together every subsidiary policy and compliance activity into a coherent, auditable programme — and that gives the FCA a clear picture of a firm that takes compliance seriously at every level.
