Advanced CAMS-Audit Certification

What is the difference between an advanced CAMS certification and a specialist/associate level certification?
Advanced CAMS certifications are designed for experienced professionals, and require candidates to have previously passed CAMS. At this level, we also recommend candidates have a minimum of five years relevant experience before applying. We expect candidates to be able to synthesize information and to be able to answer complex, case-based questions.

What are the core topic areas of Advanced CAMS-Audit?

• The role of the third line of defense
• Identifying sanctions evasion techniques
• The risk-based approach to preventing financial crime
• Understanding business operations and regulatory requirements
• Reviewing risk assessments, prior audits, and regulatory exams
• Data collection
• Reviewing/evaluating/testing policies and procedures
• Evaluating risks and identifying the most significant risks
• Evaluating existing controls and understanding how/if they mitigate risks
• Validating weaknesses
• Reporting
• Judgments made during the audit process

What study materials are included?
Advanced CAMS-Audit includes a study guide, as well as an optional virtual classroom upgrade, which will consist of four to six two-hour sessions weekly.

Who is the Advanced CAMS-Audit certification for?
This advanced CAMS certification program is designed primarily for those who conduct or wish to conduct anti-money laundering or financial crime compliance audits, whether as part of internal or external audit teams. It is also suitable for control functions, first-line assurance teams, second-line compliance monitoring teams and for personnel performing independent testing of anti-financial crime controls.

Who is eligible to take Advanced CAMS-Audit?
Candidates must have an active ACAMS membership and have passed CAMS. 
The program does assume knowledge of audit fundamentals, and the exam is designed to test at the level of someone with five years of AML auditing experience.
The program is appropriate for those who:

• Work in the internal audit function of an institution and will/may conduct audits for financial crime prevention programs
• Work as an external auditor either independently or with an established consulting firm
• Work in financial crime compliance and are interested in gaining additional knowledge about the perspective and thinking process of the AML auditor
• Work in compliance in monitoring and testing teams/assurance
• Supervise individuals whose work may be audited as part of a financial crime prevention audit
• Aid in the preparation of an institution for a regulatory examination that includes examination of the financial crime prevention functions
• Conduct bank examinations from a regulatory perspective
• Work in first line assurance teams
• Work in compliance monitoring testing or quality assurance teams within the second line where an advanced level of knowledge is required
• Perform independent testing as part of special projects such as large-scale remediation across obliged entities

Is there an application? 
Yes. To apply, you need to have an active membership and have passed CAMS. The application form is the test-taker agreement.

How do I find all available exam dates and locations?
Once enrolled, you will be able to access a scheduling tool to enable you to take your exam at a Pearson VUE center or via online proctoring.

How long do I have to take the certification exam from the day I pay?
Six months.

How long is the exam?
The exam consists of 90 questions and is three hours long.

What is the structure of the exam? 
The exam has multiple choice (select one answer) and multiple select questions (select all answers that fit). Case studies will be given with multiple questions relating to each case study. 

If the exam is multiple-choice, how will it be more complex than other ACAMS certification exams? 
Although the exam is multiple choice, the Advanced CAMS-Audit exam incorporates tables and other artifacts, requiring candidates to demonstrate their ability to interpret data and findings.  

Are the test results disclosed to third parties? Are the test results public?
Candidates receive their exam results immediately (pass or fail) at the conclusion of the test. If an organization pays for a candidate’s exam, they may ask for the result. If the candidate does not want this information released to their organization, they must notify ACAMS of their wish in writing.

Should I take a practice exam?
Our practice exams set you up for success. Developed to the same quality standard as the certification exam, the practice exam:

• Exposes you to samples of certification exam questions
• Builds your confidence in readiness for the certification exam
• Helps you study in an interactive e-learning environment
• Covers the topic areas included in the actual exam

What is the difference between a practice exam and the certification exam?
The practice exam questions match the question types and topics included in the actual certification exam.*

The practice exam questions follow the same format as the certification exam. There are two versions of the practice exam:

• Practice exam (no answers): one version without answers revealed
• Practice exam (show answers): the same version with answers immediately available

None of the practice exam questions will appear on the certification exam.

*Please note the practice exam is hosted in the ACAMS Learning Management System (LMS), which differs from the environment where the actual certification exam is administered – through our partnership with Pearson VUE.

What is the difference between a post-assessment and a practice exam?
Post-assessments are a set of review questions designed to help you assess your knowledge after studying the training materials. Practice exams enable you to practice real-type exam questions to prepare for your certification exam.

Where can I find my practice exam?
Practice exams are part of your study materials. Once you’re registered, log into the LMS, find and click on your course, under the “My Courses” section. Scroll and choose the practice exam. You can access it at any time during your certification program enrollment period.

How many times can I take the practice exam?
You can retake both versions of the practice exam as many times as you wish, even if you score 100% of the questions.

How long is my certification valid?
Three years.

What are the recertification requirements?
To recertify, you will need to earn 45 recertification credits over a three-year period. A minimum of 15 of these credits must be earned from ACAMS training or events. You will also need to hold an active ACAMS membership.

Do credits earned the same year I became certified count toward my recertification?
Yes, as long as the credits were earned after passing the Advanced CAMS-Audit exam.

Will the Advanced CAMS-Audit give me credits to put toward another certification or recertification? 
Yes, the training component of the program is worth six ACAMS credits and the Virtual Classroom earns an additional 12. After you become Advanced CAMS-Audit certified, you don’t need to recertify your CAMS certification, just your Advanced CAMS-Audit Certification.  

All examinations and exam materials are the copyright of ACAMS and may not be published, shared, reproduced, or otherwise distributed or disseminated without the express written consent of ACAMS. Please carefully read our copyright policy in the candidate handbook to learn more.