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Regulatory and Financial
Background Checks

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Financial Background Checks UK

Fast accurate and legally compliant Regulatory FCA Checks designed with a simple candidate experience.

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We offer expert advice on the relevant employment screening checks that apply to the finance industry and our screening packages are specifically designed to ensure you are compliant with these standards.

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The Senior Management and Certificate Regime (SMCR)

The SMCR replaced the Approved Persons Regime. The reason SMCR was introduced is to make individuals within regulated firms more accountable for their conduct and competence. This regime is intended to not only improve standards but improve public trust in financial institutions.

Fitness and Propriety

 

Under SMCR, all FCA/PRA firms are required to assess their staff against the FCA’s ‘fit and proper’ test. This benchmark determines if staff are suitable to hold positions with significant control or influence within a regulated firm. Background checks are an essential part of this test.

Who does SMCR apply to?

 

  •   Senior Managers – This applies to anyone performing a Senior Manager Function
  •   Certified Persons – This applies to anyone who is not a senior manager, but their financial role could cause harm to the company or customers
  •   All staff under conduct rules who do not perform a specific role to financial services
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SMCR Criminal Record Checks – Senior Managers

Under the SMCR in most cases individuals who are going to occupy a Senior Management Function undergo a standard criminal record check (which details both spent and unspent convictions).

SMCR Criminal Records Checks – Certified Persons

Certified persons are in most cases not eligible for standard criminal record checks and will only be eligible for a basic disclosure check that details unspent convictions. Although basic criminal record checks can be undertaken at the firm’s discretion, they are common industry practice and considered invaluable for assessing an individual’s integrity.

Employment Referencing Under The SMCR

A company wishing to appoint a Senior Manager, Certified Person or Non-Executive Director must seek references from any business where that individual has worked in the last six years. Furthermore, where that business is regulated by the FCA and or the PRA, such references should follow the format outlined in the FCA Handbook section SYSC 22.

Referees who are regulated by the FCA/PRA are required by the FCA to respond to such a request within six weeks

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Financial Background Checks
Questions Answered

The requirement to provide a regulated reference applies to the regulated firms themselves, not necessarily to individual employers. In other words, if you are seeking a reference from a regulated financial institution, they would be obliged to provide it under FCA rules.

The FCA Handbook (SYSC 22.2) states that a firm should respond to a reference request within six weeks. The six-week timeframe is a general guideline, and it may be extended if both parties agree to a longer period.

We would obtain standard employment references in this scenario.

Typical Screening Checks For SMCR

At CV Insight, we can assist you with the SMCR employment screening and have created custom industry-specific screening packages to suit. Our screening packages are tailored to the regulatory framework introduced by the FCA  and PRA with the aim to increase the accountability of senior individuals working in the financial services industry. You can view our packages below.

UK Package – Non-Regulatory Roles

  • identity document validation check
  • credit and address check
  • uk directorship check
  • UK sanctions/anti-money laundering check
  • highest education check
  • professional qualification/membership check
  • 5 years employment (gap analysis 90 days+)
  • international adverse media check
  • basic criminal disclosure

UK FCA Certified Persons

  • identity document validation check
  • credit and address check
  • uk directorship check
  • UK sanctions/anti-money laundering check
  • fca register check
  • highest education check
  • professional qualification/membership check
  • 6 years employment (gap analysis 28 days+)
  • international adverse media check
  • basic criminal disclosure

UK FCA & PRA
Senior Manager Regime Package

  • identity document validation check
  • credit and address check
  • uk directorship check
  • UK sanctions/anti-money laundering check
  • fca register check
  • fca company check
  • highest education check
  • professional qualification/membership check
  • 6 years employment (gap analysis 28 days+)
  • international adverse media check
  • standard criminal disclosure
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What Our Clients Say

Korn Ferry EMEA Executive Search have been partnering with CV Insight for well over a decade and it’s a truly valued, symbiotic relationship.

With a strong need to verify and validate the academic careers of the world’s top tier leadership professionals as part of our best in class hiring and selection protocols, we turn to CV insight to share in that challenge with us.

Their continued focus on optimising process, advancing technology and unwavering support in upskilling and sharing knowledge across our colleague community, allows for a seamless and honest alliance between our two organisations. We are now extending CVI to support additional Korn Ferry lines of business as a result of our strong and successful partnership with them.

Regional Operations Director

Korn Ferry

Dynamic, diligent and consumately professional, CV Insight are a much valued partner, trusted to deliver high volumes of BPSS clearance checks to enable our sub-contractors to get on site and deliver for our business.

Michelle and her team are efficient, responsive, quick to adapt to change and most importantly, never compromise on the required standards.

Senior Security and Fraud Manager

VINCI Facilities

CV insight were a pleasure to deal with from the start and streets ahead of the competition. Extremely efficient and provided a rapid and thorough service. They understand finance candidates and deliverer reports well within the agreed timescales.  I highly recommend their services to any companies who need to undertake background checks on new employees.

Dan Corcoran
Director

Reedmace Talent

I have had the pleasure of working with CV Insight for our employment screening needs, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Their service has been outstanding, marked by their exceptional responsiveness, which is truly commendable. They have demonstrated excellent technical knowledge in their field, and their expertise within the Financial service industry is particularly impressive. CV Insight has been an invaluable partner in ensuring that our screening processes are thorough and efficient. I have complete confidence in their abilities and would gladly endorse their services to anyone seeking employment screening solutions.

Head of People Operations & Talent

Wealthtime

A Trusted Partner in Cyber Security Recruitment
Working with CV Insight has been a game-changer for our recruitment company. Their deep industry knowledge and extensive network have allowed us to consistently deliver highly skilled cyber security professionals to our clients. Their meticulous candidate selection and personalised approach make them a reliable and valued partner.

Emily Morgans
Business Support Manager

NDK Consulting

CV Insight are great to work with from getting setup initially to now initiating our screenings, everything is always smooth sailing! The system is easy to use and whenever we have an issue there is always someone to speak with who resolves the problem in a timely manner.

Alisha Nandhe Patel
Senior Global Operations Manager

I-Pharm Consulting Ltd

We at Cordiant Digital Infrastructure having been partnering with CVInsights for over 2 years for our UK and international employment checks. they have always provided exceptional service they have always been very supportive in meeting our requirements. They provide a fast efficient cost effective service

Rita Maguire
Human Resources Consultant

Cordiant Digital Infrastructure

For over ten years, Clarion Housing has partnered with CV Insight as our trusted employment screening provider for both new and existing employees. Their seamless integration into our processes, along with their unwavering commitment to prompt turnaround times and attention to detail, have proven to be invaluable assets. We would recommend CV Insight to any organisation in search of a reliable and professional partner for their employment screening needs.

Talent Acquisition Manager

Clarion Housing Group

Allbricks partner with CV insight to complete employee screening obligations. The team at CV insight are friendly, prompt and clear in their responses, process requests quite quickly and maintain open conversations with candidates throughout their screening. The online platform is very user-friendly and easy to navigate. It is a pleasure working with CV insight and would recommend their services.

Warren Deweltz
Compliance and Risk Manager

Allbricks

I have had the pleasure of working with Michelle and her team at CV insight for the past two and half years.
We have worked very closely with CV insight on a variety of projects ranging from small to medium, to more recently larger accounts.
Michelle and her team have provided a seamless process which has enabled my team to be able
remain focused on their roles with limited disruption.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Michelle and her team to any client looking to partner
with a reliable and conscientious organisation who deliver on what they promise.

Hannah Hewitt
Commercial Manager

ACS Staffing Solutions

Providing FCA compliant UK and International Employment Screening Service since 2012. CV Insight provide a good, quick and responsive service to emails and calls. Good phone support, as well as our bespoke weekly report. Highly responsive, would recommend CV Insight.

Financial Services Company

CV Insight have been providing us with their Employment screening services since October 2008. CV Insight always deliver costing and time scales on the same day as the request. The online system is easy to navigate for both clients and candidates. We are always updated when a candidate has not completed their form, which then allows us to chase our candidate thereby avoiding unnecessary delays. All staff are very helpful, polite and knowledgeable. We would 100% recommend.

Worldwide Recruitment Company

CV Insight perform our FCA UK and International Employment screening services. They adhere to agreed timeframes and if this is not achievable they always keep me informed. CV Insight online system is user-friendly from the employer perspective. Their communication is clear and thorough and they keep an open dialogue throughout a candidate’s screening. We recommend their services.

Specialist Fund Management Company

CV Insight are a trusted partner for us globally, supporting us in verifying the educational background/qualifications of our candidates. This is a vital part of our due diligence process to ensure that clients can rely on the quality of talent that we recommend.

International Executive Recruitment Company

CV Insight have been performing our UK and International Employment Screening Service for over 7 years. CV Insight provide a very reliable delivery of references and background checks. They have a flexible approach, are very easy to engage with if there are questions. They deal with volumes of identical cases and also have a willingness to adapt services to the specific business needs where required. We would highly recommend CV Insight.

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Employment Screening Services

  • Comply With Employment Legislation
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  • Minimise The Risk Of Fraud Or Theft
  • Protect Your Company's Reputation
  • Reduce Re-Recruitment Costs

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