New CPD-Accredited Certificate Course Explains How Money Laundering Works, How to Spot Warning Signs, and What AML Rules Actually Require
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that between 2% and 5% of global GDP is laundered each year — a figure that amounts to as much as $2 trillion annually. Despite its scale, money laundering remains poorly understood by many of the people most exposed to it: employees in financial services, retail banking, real estate, legal services, and a growing range of other regulated sectors where AML obligations increasingly apply. Compliance failures are not only costly — they carry serious legal consequences for individuals and organisations alike.
Alison, one of the world's largest free online learning platforms, is responding with the launch of its new Understanding the Principles of Anti-Money Laundering course. Free, CPD-accredited, and pitched at Beginner level, the course gives learners a rigorous, accessible grounding in how money laundering works, what it costs, and what the regulatory frameworks designed to prevent it actually require of the people they cover.
How Money Laundering Works — and Why It Matters
The course opens with the fundamentals: what money laundering is, why criminals use it, and how it differs from terrorist financing. Learners are introduced to the main types of criminal proceeds that may be laundered, and to the classic three-stage model — placement, layering, and integration — along with the channels most commonly used to move or conceal illicit funds. From there, the course examines impact: the effects of money laundering on communities, on honest businesses competing in distorted markets, and on the broader economy.
Recognising Warning Signs Without Jumping to Conclusions
One of the course's most practically valuable sections addresses how to recognise and respond to warning signs in real-world settings. Learners are taught to identify red flags — hidden ownership structures, unusual transaction patterns, behaviour that doesn't fit a customer profile — while being equally clear that a warning sign is not proof of wrongdoing. The course covers how technology is changing detection, helping financial institutions and compliance teams identify unusual patterns at a scale that human review alone cannot match, and applies the full AML framework to a realistic everyday scenario.
Reviewed by an FCA-Regulated Financial Services Professional
The course was reviewed by Andrew Grant, an independent reviewer of professional and regulatory learning content with eighteen years of experience in UK financial services, spanning mortgage advice, team leadership, and running an independent brokerage under FCA supervision. He holds a Level 5 TEFL qualification with specialist certification in Business English, and writes and publishes business learning materials for adult learners. His review work focuses on regulated subject matter, where accuracy and currency are as important as clarity, and where every claim must trace back to a primary source.
"Anti-money laundering rules change more often than most people realise, and a course written six months ago can already be out of date. What matters is not just explaining the obligations but showing learners where they come from, what they actually require, and what happens if they are ignored."
— Andrew Grant, Independent Reviewer of Professional and Regulatory Learning Content
Mike Feerick, Founder and CEO of Alison, said:
"AML compliance affects a huge range of people — not just lawyers and compliance officers, but anyone working in a regulated environment who is expected to know what to look for and what to do. This course gives people the knowledge they need to take that responsibility seriously. Understanding the rules is the first step to following them."
Understanding the Principles of Anti-Money Laundering is free to access and CPD-accredited, with a certificate available to learners who successfully complete the course. It is suited to professionals across financial services, legal, real estate, and any regulated sector, as well as anyone seeking a clear, credible introduction to AML principles.
Enrol now at: https://alison.com/course/principles-of-money-laundering-explained
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About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 50 million registered learners across 193 countries (as of October 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively – at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 6,000 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.
For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System (LMS) that enables unlimited learners to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available. Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workplace Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing Assessment, English Language Proficiency Test, as well as Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests.
To further support career development, learners also gain access to a Career Guide, a Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App. The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with complete Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.
