Compliance Officer

As a Compliance Officer, you’re responsible for making sure that your company obeys all laws and regulations pertaining to your particular industry, as well as internal standards and practices. Most often found in heavily regulated industries like finance, healthcare, and natural resource management, you counsel coworkers on how best to adhere to standards, and keep within ethical and legally mandated boundaries. A strong moral compass, attention to detail, and an in-depth understanding of how businesses, individuals, and the government interact are all necessary components of a good Compliance Officer.

You’re part of an ever-changing system. As new laws that impact your business are passed, your internal documentation needs to be updated and new policies have to be formed. Your company relies on your knowledge and experience to help develop these policies.

It’s also your job to educate your coworkers. The feedback you receive from them helps the organization develop standards that become a living, breathing part of the work process, and reflect the state of the industry.

Compliance Officers generally work a 40-hour workweek in an office setting. If your industry has operations out in the field (such as oil or forestry), then be prepared for some outdoor travel. You can’t do your job well unless you know what everyone is supposed to be doing, so a level of expertise with your area of concentration (oil, finance, etc.) is necessary, as are good communications skills. If you like the idea of keeping people on point, supporting high standards, and working with multiple different agencies, then a job as a Compliance Officer could be right for you.