FSA & Employment Background Checks
Employment screening for firms in the financial sector
The Financial Services Authority maintains detailed processes for the verification and registration of approved persons covering; honesty, integrity, reputation, competence, and capability. You can read more about the FSA Fit and Proper test for Approved Persons on the FSA website here (opens a new window)
At Credit Check Services we support the FSA employment screening requirements for approved persons with a range of screening covering the applicant's identity, financial background, qualifications, employment history, and activities that may bring them into conflict with their employment.
Identity
Verifying the identity of a person involves checking a photo ID, name, date of birth and signature against qualifying documents such as passport or photocard driving licence, and other proof of address documents such as recent utility bills. As some documents can be falsified at Credit Check Services we also provide data searches in support of the applicant's identity as follows:
- Date of birth verifications
- Alias name checks
- Confirmation of previous addresses
- Electoral register and Insight address checks
Financial
Our searches include a linked address search in court and credit databases to thoroughly check the applicant's financial history to reveal the following:
- CCJ and Sequestration searches
- Bankruptcy & IVA searches
- Notices of corrections to credit files
- Recent credit searches
Qualifications / Memberships
Key to verifying an applicant's competence is verification of qualifications. In support of this our screening will cover:
- Professional memberships and qualifications
- Educational qualifications
- FSA register search
History
Verification of past employment and references provides evidence in support of the applicant's competence and integrity. Where an applicant has gaps between employment of more than one month we also provide verifications with DWP (if registered unemployed), University/College (if in training or education), or character referees.
- Referee verification
- Character reference check
- Employment history verification
- Media exposure checks
Alerts
For most types of employment within the FSA it is necessary to verify whether an applicant has any alerts that may impact on suitability of employment. Our checks will cover:
- Bank of England money laundering
- CFAS & OFAC searches
- Terrorist /financial sanctions
- Forwarding address alert
- Disqualification from being a company director
Criminal records
All applicants for approved persons roles are required to have a criminal records check. At Credit Check Services we can provide UK CRB checks and through our international partners we can provide criminal records checks in most countries.
- UK criminal records search (CRB check)
- International criminal records search
Other business activities
Sometimes an applicant may have other interests that could present a conflict with their prospective employment.- Verification of other business involvement / interests
At Credit Check Services we can provide a range and depth of screening to compliment your existing processes for prospective approved persons and other employees working in a controlled function.
For more information or a quotation call us now on 01992 719 234.