At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative.
With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.
Grant Thornton UK LLP is part of a global network of independent audit, tax and advisory firms, made up of some 58,000 people in over 135 countries. We're a team of independent thinkers who put quality, inclusion and integrity first. All around the world we bring a different experience to our clients. A better experience. One that delivers the expertise they need in a way that goes beyond. Personal, proactive, and agile. That's Grant Thornton.
NEW GROUND WON’T BREAK ITSELF.
Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals.
You will be part of our Onboarding Client Experience team, a specialist function which supports our onboarding activities, with a particular focus on complex, high-risk and commercially important engagements. The team plays a vital role in ensuring that Grant Thornton’s professional, ethical and regulatory obligations are met without compromising commercial momentum.
We believe that strong regulatory outcomes and a high-quality client experience are not competing objectives. As the initial touch point for our clients, our outreach activities must build trust and reinforce confidence in our firm’s operational capabilities.
We’re happy to talk flexible working and consider reduced hours and job shares, we’ll support you to balance your work and life.
As an Onboarding Business Lead (KYC/CDD) within our Quality & Risk / Centralised Onboarding team, you will act as a trusted risk partner and strategic enabler for the firm. This is not a box-ticking role; it requires a sophisticated understanding of regulatory requirements (especially KYC/CDD), contractual and commercial considerations, and the ability to apply independent judgement to complex situations. Strong verbal communication is essential. We avoid hiding behind policy where explanation builds trust. You will speak directly with senior client representatives (e.g., via phone/MS Teams) and advise our Partners and Directors on complex risk and compliance matters as a routine and vital part of the role. Your accountabilities span will three areas:
Apply independent, high-level judgement to determine the sufficiency and credibility of information provided by the Client against the firm’s CDD Standard (including UBO understanding and, where relevant, Source of Funds/Source of Wealth), consulting where necessary with the firm’s CDD Policy & Advisory function.
Manage complex ownership structures (e.g., private equity stacks, trusts, and entities in opaque or high-risk jurisdictions) and support enhanced due diligence (EDD) where required (e.g., PEP/sanctions screening outcomes, adverse media, higher-risk geographies).
Act as a concierge-style Onboarding advisor, providing bespoke operational Onboarding advice for larger, more complex or priority cases, delivering a frictionless client experience while maintaining the required risk controls for the firm.
Provide a holistic view of risk, balancing contracting requirements, commercial viability, insurance nuances, financial crime prevention, regulatory obligations, and the firm’s ethical standards.
Provide clear, practical advice on evidence strategy, risk-based options and when/what to escalate, ensuring decisions and documentation align to the firm’s policies.
While not a requirement at hire, we will expect you to develop a strong understanding of the ethical standards applying to our work.
Knowing you’re right for us
Joining us as an Onboarding Business Lead (KYC/CDD), the minimum criteria you’ll need are:
Additional experience we welcome:
Ethical Standards Awareness: familiarity with professional body ethical standards, such as the FRC Ethical Standard and ICAEW Code of Ethics, and an understanding of how regulatory and ethical obligations interact in a client-facing context.
Professional, human communication: You can explain regulatory and information requirements clearly, respectfully and in plain language, and you are a confident verbal communicator.
Cross-Functional Thinking: You can connect the dots between contracts, regulation, commercials, delivery reality and legal risk, seeing how decisions in one area affect outcomes in another.
Knowing we’re right for you
Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone. Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential.
Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That’s why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.
Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance.
The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind.
We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.
