Prepare for your Compliance Associate interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of the industry’s compliance laws and regulations. Use your answer to highlight any experience you have with these regulations, such as how you applied them in your previous role or any classes you took that focused on compliance.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am very familiar with the compliance laws and regulations in this industry. I have been working in compliance for five years now, and I am well-versed in all the current regulations. In my current role, I am responsible for ensuring that our company stays up-to-date on all compliance issues. I also regularly attend training sessions and webinars on compliance topics to stay informed."
This question can help the interviewer determine your understanding of compliance projects and how you approach them. Use examples from past experience to highlight your attention to detail, organizational skills and ability to work under pressure.
Answer Example: "When working on compliance projects, I find it important to remember to always be honest, accurate and thorough. This means taking the time to thoroughly research any information I’m given and making sure that it’s correct before submitting it to the appropriate parties. It also means being honest about any mistakes I make so that I can correct them as soon as possible. Finally, it’s important to remember that compliance projects require a lot of patience. There are often many steps involved in completing these tasks, so I try to stay organized and focused on the goal."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would use your communication skills and problem-solving abilities in a challenging situation. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped someone understand company policies or procedures, or how you helped them change their behavior to comply with company standards.
Answer Example: "In my last role as a compliance associate, I had a client who was not complying with our policy on electronic communication. They were sending confidential information through email, which was against our company policy. I met with the client and explained why this was a problem and what they could do to fix it. They agreed to change their email policy so that all confidential information was only sent through encrypted messaging platforms."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what processes you use to complete it. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for investigating claims of non-compliance, including any tools or software you use to complete your investigation.
Answer Example: "I first assess the severity of the claim by reviewing all relevant documents and data. If the claim appears to be valid, I then conduct further research into the issue to determine whether it is an isolated incident or part of a larger pattern of non-compliance. Once I have enough information, I meet with management to discuss our options for addressing the issue."
This question can help interviewers understand how you communicate with others and your ability to explain complex ideas. Use examples from previous work experiences where you had to explain compliance laws or regulations to someone who didn’t understand them.
Answer Example: "In my last role as a compliance associate, I had to help a client understand the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. This was a complex law with many different components, so I spent time with the client explaining each part of the law and how it applied to their business. By doing this, I was able to help them understand the overall purpose of the Dodd-Frank Act and how it could benefit their company."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and which areas you focus on. Your answer should show that you are able to analyze data and make decisions based on facts.
Answer Example: "In this situation, I would first look at the data to see if there were any patterns or similarities between the people who were not complying with the policy. If there were, I would focus my attention on those factors rather than individual employees. For example, if I noticed that most of the employees who weren’t following the policy were from a specific department, I would focus on why this is happening and how we can solve the problem."
This question can help the interviewer assess your moral compass and how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you value honesty and integrity and would take action if you discovered someone breaking company policies.
Answer Example: "If I discovered that a high-level executive was knowingly breaking company policies, I would first try to speak with them privately about their behavior. If they were unwilling to change their ways, I would report them to my supervisor so that they could take appropriate action. It’s important to me that companies have an honest and transparent culture, so I would not want to keep this information secret."
Compliance associates often work on multiple projects at once. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle stress and still meet deadlines. In your answer, explain how you stay organized and manage your time effectively. Show that you have a system for keeping track of all your tasks and meeting deadlines.
Answer Example: "I am a very organized person, so I always make sure to schedule my time well. I also use a calendar app on my phone to remind me of important dates and deadlines. This helps me stay on track with all my projects and tasks. When working on multiple projects at once, I make sure to focus on one task at a time. This helps me stay focused and ensures that I am giving each project the attention it deserves."
Working on team projects is a common activity in compliance associate roles. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working with others and that you can contribute to the team’s success. In your answer, explain how you enjoy collaborating with others. Share an example of a time when you worked on a team project in your previous role.
Answer Example: "I love working on team projects. I find that working together allows us to get things done faster and more efficiently. In my last role, I was part of a compliance team that worked together to ensure we met all regulatory requirements. We would regularly check in with each other to make sure we were all on track with our tasks. If one person needed help with something, we were always there to provide support."
This question can help interviewers understand how you approach your work and make decisions. Your answer should show that you are able to analyze information and use your judgment to determine its credibility.
Answer Example: "When investigating claims of non-compliance, I first assess the source of the information. If it comes from an employee, I look at their history of reporting issues and their relationship with the company. If it comes from a third party, I evaluate the credibility of the organization or individual providing the information. Next, I gather all relevant evidence to determine whether there is actually a violation of policy or law. Finally, I report my findings to my supervisor so they can take action if necessary."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you plan to encourage employees to report violations and trust you as their compliance associate. Your answer should include examples of how you would communicate with employees and make them feel comfortable reporting violations.
Answer Example: "I would first make sure they knew they could come to me with any concerns they had about compliance violations. I would also make sure they understood that their anonymity would be protected, as well as any information they gave me. I would also encourage them to speak with me in person or over the phone so we could have a conversation about their concerns."
Employers ask this question to learn more about your experience with using compliance software. They want to know if you have used similar software in previous jobs and how well you understood it. In your answer, share the type of compliance software you used and explain what you liked about it.
Answer Example: "In my last role as a Compliance Associate, I used a software called C-Suite Compliance. This software helped me track all regulatory requirements for our company’s different businesses. It also provided me with templates for creating documents like policies and procedures. The templates made it easy for me to create new documents quickly."
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on what you can bring to the company rather than what the company can offer you.
Answer Example: "I am passionate about ensuring companies follow all regulations and laws. I also have experience working in compliance, so I know what it takes to be successful in this role. In my last position, I helped create a compliance program for our company’s new headquarters. My colleagues and I trained employees on safety protocols and procedures. We also monitored compliance reports to ensure we met all regulations."
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how it may apply to their company. Use this opportunity to highlight any unique or relevant experiences you have that relate to the role you’re interviewing for.
Answer Example: "I’ve worked in both financial services and healthcare, which has given me a diverse set of skills to work with. In my previous role as a compliance associate at a financial services company, I helped create policies and procedures for new clients who were entering into our system. At my current job as a compliance associate at a healthcare facility, I’m responsible for ensuring all employees are following regulations and guidelines."
This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of compliance processes and how you apply them in your work. Use examples from past projects to explain what you think is most important when working on compliance projects.
Answer Example: "I think it’s important to remember that compliance is about ensuring that companies are following the law, but it’s also about ensuring that they’re doing so in a way that’s ethical. I always make sure to look at both sides of a situation when working on compliance projects so that I can make sure we’re following all the rules but also doing what’s right."
Employers ask this question to see if you are committed to staying up-to-date on the latest compliance laws and regulations. They want to know that you will be able to perform your job well without needing too much training. In your answer, explain how you stay current on compliance matters. You can also mention any resources you use to learn about these changes.
Answer Example: "I am passionate about my career as a compliance associate. I love learning about new regulations and updating my knowledge of existing ones. To keep up with compliance news, I subscribe to several newsletters and blogs about compliance law. I also take online courses through Udemy and Skillshare to expand my knowledge."
This question is a great way to test your problem-solving skills and how you would apply them in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to explain the steps you would take to ensure compliance with the new law.
Answer Example: "I would first make sure I understood what the new law required us to do. Then, I would talk to my manager about what resources we have available to meet those requirements. If we need additional resources or training, I would work with my manager to get those things in place. Finally, I would make sure we are tracking all of our compliance efforts so we can show regulators if they ever ask."
