Legal & Compliance

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00 · ESCO 3352 · OSCA 591232

REA INV ART SOC ENT CON This role See your match →

Role snapshot

Overview

Compliance Officers are integral to an organization's ethical and legal standing. They review company policies, audit internal processes, and ensure the organisation meets all legal and regulatory requirements. This involves developing, implementing, and monitoring compliance programs. Investigating potential violations, conducting risk assessments, and training staff on compliance standards are routine parts of the role to mitigate legal and reputational risks.

Safeguards an organization's reputation and financial stability by preventing legal penalties, ethical breaches, and operational disruptions through robust regulatory adherence.

On the job

  • Develop and implement internal compliance policies and procedures.
  • Conduct regular internal audits to assess adherence to regulations and internal policies.
  • Investigate reported compliance violations and recommend corrective actions.
  • Provide training and guidance to employees on compliance standards and best practices.
  • Monitor changes in regulatory landscapes and update company policies accordingly.
Compliance Officer at work

Tools & technology

GRC Software (e.g., Archer, MetricStream)Microsoft Office SuiteLegal Research DatabasesAudit Management SystemsPolicy Management Software

Average salary

$95K
MEDIAN SALARY Annual · USD
$70K Bottom 10%
$130K Top 10%

Job outlook

Growing

Job growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.

Education & training

A bachelor's degree in law, finance, business administration, or a related field is typically required, often coupled with relevant certifications.

Career pathways

WHERE YOU COULD GO

Senior Compliance Officer
Compliance Manager

CURRENT ROLE

Compliance Officer

Legal & Compliance

ADJACENT MOVES

Risk Manager
Legal Counsel (In-house)
Junior Compliance Analyst
Regulatory Specialist
Internal Auditor

STARTING POINTS

Who thrives here

Interest profile

C

conventional · CEI

Individuals who thrive on structure, detail, and adherence to rules, while also enjoying analysis, problem-solving, and influencing others, often find satisfaction in this role.

Personality characteristics

Detail-Oriented

Thrives on meticulously examining policies, procedures, and data to ensure accuracy and adherence to regulations.

Analytical

Enjoys dissecting complex information, identifying patterns, and solving problems related to compliance and risk.

Composed

Maintains a calm and objective demeanor when investigating sensitive issues or dealing with challenging situations.

Structured Thinker

Prefers working within established frameworks and developing clear, logical processes for compliance management.

Principled

Driven by a strong sense of ethics and a commitment to upholding legal and moral standards.

Best for

  • Individuals who are systematic, ethical, and enjoy the challenge of ensuring organizational integrity.
  • Professionals who are comfortable with detailed regulatory analysis and enjoy educating others on compliance best practices.
  • Those who seek a role with significant responsibility in protecting an organization's legal and ethical standing.

Watch out for

  • Requires navigating complex legal frameworks and constant regulatory changes, which can be demanding.
  • Involves investigating sensitive issues and confronting non-compliance, which may require assertiveness and resilience.

A week in the life

A representative working week for a Compliance Officer — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.

8am9am10am11am12pm1pm2pm3pm4pm5pm6pm
Mon
Team Standup & Planning
Policy Review & Update
Compliance Risk Assessment & Regulatory Research
Tue
Internal Audit Planning
Meeting with Legal Counsel
Data Analysis for Audits
Stakeholder Consultation
Wed
Prepare for Training Session
Deliver Employee Training
Incident Report Review
Investigation & Documentation
Thu
Draft Compliance Report
Review External Audit Findings
Policy Development Workshop
Follow-up on Action Items
Fri
Administrative Tasks & Emails
Professional Development
Team Brainstorming Session
Deep work Meeting External Social Admin

FREE ASSESSMENT

Does Compliance Officer fit you?

Measure your personality and interests, then see how this career ranks against 1,300+ others — for you personally.

Take the free assessment →