How do I become a compliance specialist?

Next, you should earn a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, finance, business, or the field you wish to specialize in (e.g., chemistry, healthcare). While there is no specific compliance officer degree, it definitely can improve your chances of landing a compliance specialist job.

An aspiring compliance officer might also choose to earn their bachelor's degree in a program related to the field they want to work in (e.g., healthcare or finance), then expand their skill set with an MLS degree focused on compliance.

Equally as important as education is gaining work experience. Compliance officers should have intricate knowledge of the fields in which they work. They should know the inner workings of organization operations and how compliance relates to those.

Finally, to stay competitive and earn more money, consider getting certifications. In fact, some employers might require you to have specific certifications depending on your field.

For example, there are organizations that will require the compliance officer to complete the Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional Program.

The following organizations offer certified compliance certifications:

• The Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE).

• The Ethics and Compliance Officer Association (ECOA)

• National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU)

• International Academy of Business and Financial Management (IABFM)

• American Bankers Association (ABA)