About the association
The Global Association of Certified KYC Specialists (Global AKS)
Global AKS certifies compliance professionals in KYC, anti‑money laundering, financial crime and fraud. For more than twelve years our credentials have given practitioners something an employer can check: an examination that is sat properly, a certificate with a verifiable ID, and independent accreditation behind it.
What we do
We write the study material, set the examinations and issue the credentials for six certifications spanning KYC, AML, financial crime, fraud and financial education. Every paper is marked against a published standard, and every certificate carries an ID that anyone can verify, free and without an account.
Our mission
To build a global community of compliance professionals whose knowledge is practical, current and independently benchmarked — not theory for its own sake, but the judgement the work actually calls for: escalation, red flags, enhanced due diligence, sanctions, reporting.
Six certifications
Each one is self‑contained: a study e‑booklet, a mock examination and a final, with the certificate issued the moment you pass.
The same standard, every certification
No shortcuts and no variation between credentials. What is asked of one candidate is asked of all of them.
Why professionals choose Global AKS
Verifiable, not decorative
Every certificate carries a credential ID. An employer confirms it on our site in seconds, without an account and without asking you for anything.
Independently accredited
ONRIGA Gold‑tier accreditation and American CBM accreditation across the range — two bodies that assess the credential, not the marketing around it.
Written from the work
The material follows real onboarding files, alert queues, sanctions hits and escalation decisions — the situations a compliance desk meets, not a syllabus assembled from regulation alone.
Entirely self‑paced
No cohorts, no term dates, no waiting period before you may sit. Study when the job allows, and sit the examination when you are ready.
One fee, nothing after
The study material, both examinations and the certificate are in the enrolment fee. Nothing is held back and charged later.
Recognised internationally
Our credentials are held by practitioners across the UK, United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia‑Pacific.
Independent accreditation and recognition
Assessed by bodies outside this association, so the standard is not one we set for ourselves.
ONRIGA — Gold tier
Gold‑tier accreditation from the Organization for Next‑gen Regulatory Intelligence & Global Accreditation, held across the full range.
Accreditation ID
ONR‑EC‑GLD‑2013‑788dc6
American CBM
Every Global AKS certification is accredited by the American Compliance & Business Management Association.
FINRA listing
The G‑CFES credential is listed on FINRA's Professional Designations Database.
Industry awards
Holder of the Best KYC Certification Award and the Gold Standard in KYC Award.
Best KYC Certification Award
Recognised among the leading KYC and AML certifications by ComplyFocus.
Gold Standard in KYC Award
Awarded for the depth and rigour of the Global AKS examination standard.
Our reach
Compliance professionals who have studied or certified with Global AKS.
Start where the work takes you
Six credentials, one standard. Choose the one that matches the desk you sit at — or the one you intend to.
Explore all certifications →Questions? Write to [email protected]