What this area covers: AML audits in Canada
AML audits is one of 6 parts of our “Compliance & AML” practice. It covers the full cycle from initial scoping to operational launch, run by a single named partner from our Canada practice.
What it is in Canada: independent reviews and remediation.
How we handle AML audits
The “AML audits” project in Canada is structured as a 4-stage process run by a single named partner.
Regulatory program drafting, MLRO services, and examination preparation across FINTRAC, FCA, MAS, FIU, and CBUAE frameworks.
The same desk that runs AML audits handles your banking, bookkeeping, compliance and — where needed — your wind-down.INNOVA · Operating model
Why Canada
Canada is our primary launchpad for MSB licensing and fintech projects. We know where you can genuinely open a corporate account, how to clear FINTRAC on the first attempt, and how to avoid the common pitfalls in provincial corporate law. A G7 country with a developed banking system, a broad network of tax treaties, and a bilingual operating environment.
A reliable regulatory environment
Banking ecosystem
Corporate tax 26.5% federal + provincial blended (Ontario)
INNOVA represented on the ground
Why INNOVA
Operational differences that hold up on the 2nd, 5th and 10th project — not just at first impression.
One partner — the whole cycle
Registration, banking, tax, compliance, immigration — run by one team from start to finish.
14 years of practice
Working since 2012 through several regulatory cycles — including FATCA/CRS, the tightening of banking, and the introduction of UAE CT.
Regulator-grade documentation
Every output document is ready for audit and investor scrutiny — whatever the size of the deal.
Multi-jurisdiction within the group
Cross-border work is handled inside the group — no chain of external subcontractors.
How the work is structured
A 4-stage process led by a single named partner — from the intro call to the operational hand-over.
Risk assessment
Risk assessment across products, clients and geography
Program development
Manuals, training and control mechanisms
Regulator submission
Submission of the documentation to the regulator
Monitoring
Reviews, audits and keeping the program current
What we need from you · what you get from us
What we need from you to begin — and what you walk away with. We won't pester you with needless questions: we already have most of the answers.
- Activity / sector descriptionstructured
- Customer-base profiledocumented
- Geographic exposuremapped
- Existing controls (if any)stated
- AML/CFT risk assessmentregulator-ready
- Compliance manual + proceduresoperational
- MLRO appointednamed officer
- Training programme (annual)delivered
- Customer DD templatesready to use
- Sanctions/PEP screening liveautomated
Four ways to work together
We don't quote a fixed price without understanding your situation — cost depends on the complexity of your case. Start with an initial call, then we pick the right format.
Intro call
A 30-minute online consultation. We discuss your situation, define the project scope, and propose a structure and timeline.
Written analysis
A written consultation with a full review of the business — tax positioning, structure options, jurisdiction comparison, banking path. Turnaround: 5 business days.
Operating roadmap
For complex situations — multi-jurisdiction structures, regulated activity, founder relocation. A full plan with stages, dependencies, deliverables and timing.
Direct execution
You know what you need — we execute. No advisory mark-up and no discovery phase.
Fill in the questionnaire
Complete the online questionnaire: it creates your account on the portal, where your structure, renewal reminders and documents will live.
Fill in the questionnaire
4 steps · creates an INNOVA portal account · 24h review.
Once you submit the questionnaire we create a portal account. Inside: your live structure, a renewals calendar (annual returns, register updates, tax filings), a document vault (certificates, share register, bank letters), a partner chat and project status. A single place for your entire operational life.
From a client
A review from a client who went through a comparable project. Verified, the engagement is ongoing.
Frequently asked questions
The questions we're asked most often. If yours isn't here, an intro call is the fastest way to get an answer.
Most “AML audits” projects in Canada run 4–5 weeks start to finish. The fastest stage is document filing; the longest is post-registration onboarding (banking, tax registration). A single named partner runs the project throughout.
From US$ 6,500 · program development. The lower bound is for clean, standard profiles; the upper bound is for complex ownership structures, multi-jurisdiction projects or regulated activity. A fixed quote follows a 30-minute scoping call.
In most cases, no. The entire process runs remotely under a notarised power of attorney. A handful of jurisdictions require an in-person visit (typically biometrics for a residence permit) — we plan those as efficiently as possible.
FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada) is Canada's financial intelligence unit, established under the PCMLTFA. It receives, analyses, and passes financial intelligence to law enforcement. Every MSB, bank, securities dealer, real estate broker, and other reporting entity registers with FINTRAC and files reports — Large Cash Transaction Reports (CAD 10,000 or more) and Suspicious Transaction Reports.
Any reporting entity under the PCMLTFA must keep a written AML/ATF compliance program. The list runs: MSBs (foreign exchange, money transfers, virtual assets), banks and credit unions, insurers, securities dealers, real estate brokers, casinos, accountants, and precious-metals dealers. Non-compliance draws administrative penalties up to CAD 500,000 and criminal penalties up to CAD 2 million.
The PCMLTFA is Canada’s primary anti-money-laundering statute, administered by FINTRAC jointly with the Department of Finance. It requires reporting entities to: identify clients (CDD/EDD), keep prescribed records for at least five years, report suspicious transactions, large cash, and cross-border currency movements, and run a five-element compliance program. FINTRAC examinations typically come every 3–5 years.
AML audits in other countries
The same service — in every jurisdiction we run. One desk, one standard.
