How to Learn KYC & AML in 2025: Complete Study Roadmap (Guides, Case Studies & Interview Prep)

If you want to build a serious career in KYC, AML, and financial crime compliance, you don’t need random YouTube videos. You need a clear learning roadmap – from basics, to due diligence, sanctions, AML frameworks, real case studies, certifications, and interview preparation.

This article gives you that roadmap. Every step below links to a dedicated guide, hub, or case study on Global AKS (GO-AKS), so you can go from “beginner” to “job-ready and interview-ready” in a structured way.

You can follow this plan in order, or jump straight to the part you need right now – KYC basics, CDD/EDD, sanctions, AML risk, certifications, career planning, or interviews.

Step 1 – Start With KYC Fundamentals

Before anything else, you need a clean understanding of what KYC is, how it links to AML, and what the end-to-end KYC process looks like.

• What Is KYC? Simple Explanation for Beginners (2025)
• KYC vs AML – What’s the Difference? (Simple Guide, 2025)
• KYC vs AML (2025 Beginner Guide) – Simple & Clear Explanation
• KYC Process Steps Explained (2025) – From Onboarding to Monitoring

Step 2 – Master CDD, EDD & Source of Funds / Source of Wealth

Once you know the basics, the next step is risk-based due diligence: CDD, EDD, and how Source of Funds (SoF) and Source of Wealth (SoW) are assessed.

• Customer Due Diligence (CDD) Explained – 2025 Beginner Guide
• Customer Due Diligence (CDD) Guide – 2025 (Practical Overview)
• CDD vs EDD – What’s the Difference? (2025 Guide)
• Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) Guide – 2025 (When & How to Apply)
• Source of Funds vs Source of Wealth (2025) – Simple & Clear Explanation

Step 3 – Learn Sanctions Screening & Adverse Media

Sanctions and negative news screening are core to KYC and AML. Most real-world escalations come from these two areas.

• Sanctions Screening Basics (2025) – Simple Guide for Compliance Teams
• Sanctions Screening Explained (2025) – Beginner Guide
• Sanctions Screening Guide (2025) – Ultimate Beginner Guide
• Adverse Media Screening Guide (2025) – Simple & Clear Explanation
• Adverse Media Screening Explained (2025) – Beginner Guide

Step 4 – Understand AML Fundamentals, Risk Assessment & STRs

KYC is one side of the coin. To grow your career, you must understand how AML programs and risk assessments work, and when institutions file Suspicious Transaction Reports.

• Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Explained – Simple 2025 Beginner Guide
• AML Risk Assessment Guide (2025) – Simple Beginner Explanation
• Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) Guide (2025) – When & How to File

Step 5 – Study AML Red Flags & Practical Scenarios

Theory is useless if you can’t recognize patterns. These resources focus on red flags and real-world scenarios that actually show up in monitoring and investigations.

• AML Red Flags List (2025) – Complete Beginner-Friendly Reference
• AML Case Scenarios & SAR/STR Narrative Examples (2025) – Practical Guide

Step 6 – Choose the Right KYC / AML Certification

Once you have a base, a good certification helps you stand out in CV shortlisting, internal promotions, and global mobility. These pages explain GO-AKS credentials and compare them with other options.

• What Is the GO-AKS KYC Certification? (2025 Guide)
• Which GO-AKS Certification Is Right for You? (Role-Based Guide)
• Best KYC Certifications in 2025 – Ranked & Compared
• Best AML Certifications in 2025 – Full Comparison Guide
• Is a KYC Certification Worth It in 2025? (Honest Career Analysis)

Step 7 – Plan Your KYC Career Path & Fix Your Resume

Content alone doesn’t get you hired. You also need a realistic view of roles, salaries, and growth paths, plus a CV that actually passes a 10–15 second recruiter scan.

• KYC Career Path 2025 – Roles, Salary, and Roadmap
• KYC Analyst Resume Review Guide (2025) – Samples, Tips & Checklist

Step 8 – Prepare for KYC & AML Interviews

Once you start getting interview calls, your focus should shift to structured interview preparation – not random questions from Google, but curated sets with answers.

KYC Interview Preparation

• KYC Analyst Interview Questions (2025) — With Answers (Beginner-Friendly)
• KYC Interview Questions & Answers (2025) – Practical Focus
• KYC Interview Questions & Answers (2025 Updated) – 50 Questions

AML Interview Preparation

• AML Analyst Interview Questions (2025) — With Answers (Simple & Practical)
• AML Interview Questions & Answers (2025) – Core Scenarios
• AML Interview Questions & Answers (2025) – Advanced Follow-Ups

Step 9 – Bookmark the Main Hubs, Libraries & News

KYC/AML is not “study once and forget”. You need ongoing exposure to new cases, sanctions actions, and regulatory news. These hubs are designed to be your long-term reference points.

• KYC Knowledge Hub 2025 – All KYC Guides in One Place
• Sanctions Knowledge Hub – Live Sanctions, Guides & Resources
• AML Case Studies Library – Real Cases & Enforcement Actions
• Global AML & KYC News Hub – Curated Updates & Regulatory News

Step 10 – Learn From Big Global AML Cases

Finally, if you really want to think like a senior AML investigator or FCC lead, you need to study major enforcement cases. These case studies show what happens when controls fail at scale.

• Westpac & AUSTRAC – AML Child Exploitation Scandal
• Standard Chartered – Sanctions Violations Case Study
• ING Netherlands – €775 Million AML Settlement
• Swedbank Baltic – Money Laundering Scandal
• HSBC 2012 – AML & Sanctions Failures
• Danske Bank – $200 Billion Money Laundering Scandal
• Deutsche Bank & Epstein – AML Monitoring Failures