Financial Services Compliance Consultant

Financial services compliance consultants help banks, investment advisors, broker-dealers, and fintech companies navigate SEC, FINRA, banking, and financial regulations.

With regulatory complexity increasing and compliance violations resulting in multi-million dollar fines, financial firms pay $15,000-$150,000+ annually for compliance support, generating consultant revenue of $130,000-$450,000 annually with profit margins of 60-75%.

The role requires deep knowledge of financial regulations, often with legal or finance background and certifications (Series 7, 24, CCO, CRCM).

Consultants typically charge $175-$400 per hour or offer Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) services on fractional basis.

Services include compliance program development, regulatory filings, AML/BSA programs, supervisory procedures, exam preparation, policy and procedure manuals, and ongoing regulatory monitoring.

Many consultants specialize in specific areas like investment advisor compliance, AML, or fintech regulations.

Success factors include staying current with regulatory changes, strong documentation skills, and ability to balance compliance with business objectives.

The practice requires understanding both regulations and financial services operations.

Marketing focuses on financial industry networking, speaking at industry conferences, and partnerships with law firms and accounting firms.

With fintech innovation creating new regulatory challenges in 2025 and agencies increasing enforcement, financial compliance offers excellent opportunities for consultants who can help firms navigate complex regulations while supporting business growth.