Onboarding Specialist

About 1st Formations At 1st Formations, we empower entrepreneurs to start, run, and grow their businesses with confidence. Running a business shouldn’t be slowed down by company formation, statutory compliance, accounting, or payroll. From day one, these essentials should be seamless, reliable, and intelligently handled — freeing founders to focus on building and scaling. We’re a leading UK provider of company formation and compliance services, building a modern, fully integrated technology platform that supports founders at every stage of their journey. Our platform brings together formation, compliance, accounting, payroll, and ongoing business support in one cohesive experience. No stitched-together services. No legacy workflows disguised as software. Just a single, scalable platform built for ambitious founders who want to move fast, stay compliant, and grow with confidence. Why Join Us Now? You’ll be joining a business with strong momentum, clear direction, and real opportunity for progression. * £18m annual revenue, including £9m ARR * Over 1 million companies formed * Certified B Corp and Carbon Neutral Business * Forecast to grow 5x–10x over the next three years The Role The MLRO will serve as the registered Money Laundering Reporting Officer, with full accountability for suspicious activity reporting, regulatory engagement, and the consistent application of the highest regulatory and governance standards across the business. This is a senior, operationally hands-on role that combines day-to-day MLRO responsibilities with strategic compliance direction - protecting the business through robust controls, proactive risk management, and continuous regulatory horizon scanning. The postholder will act as a business-enabling partner, working closely with the COO and CEO to translate regulatory requirements into practical action plans, ensuring commercial growth is pursued confidently within a defined risk appetite. We are ideally looking for candidates with experience in the company formations (Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP)), or accounting sector. Key Responsibilities • Serve as the registered MLRO, with full responsibility for suspicious activity reporting reviews, external SAR submissions, and direct engagement with the NCA and FCA • Own and evolve the group risk framework, including our AML policies and procedures, risk registers and risk appetite statements • Lead AML and financial crime compliance across the group, ensuring ongoing adherence to the Proceeds of Crime Act, Money Laundering Regulations, and UK GDPR • Oversee KYC and CDD controls, sanctions screening, and SAR reporting - continuously optimising processes to handle high volumes of customer onboarding and transactional activity • Drive regulatory horizon scanning, proactively tracking changes to the regulatory landscape and briefing senior leadership with clear, actionable plans • Maintain and improve control effectiveness, overseeing first-line self-assessment and second-line assurance activity, ensuring audit findings are actioned within agreed SLAs • Partner with business leaders and commercial teams to enable growth by embedding compliance into operational and product development processes • Manage relationships with external regulators, auditors, and relevant third parties with professionalism and confidence • Oversee compliance tools and technologies, including AML monitoring systems and case management platforms • Monitor and report on risk posture and compliance KPIs, providing regular updates to the COO, CEO, and senior leadership What We Are Looking For * 10+ years of compliance and risk leadership in a regulated sector, ideally with direct experience in company formations (TCSP) or accountancy services * Proven experience as an MLRO or Deputy MLRO, with direct responsibility for SAR submissions and engagement with the NCA and FCA * Deep expertise in AML and financial crime, with strong working knowledge of the Proceeds of Crime Act, Money Laundering Regulations, GDPR, and FCA guidance * Experience building and managing risk frameworks using the three-lines-of-defence model at scale * A track record of regulatory horizon scanning and delivering compliance change programmes on time * Familiarity with AML monitoring systems and case management platforms * A pragmatic, business-enabling mindset - able to advise on risk-based decisions that support growth rather than obstruct it * Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate complex regulatory matters clearly to senior leadership and external partners * Analytical, data-driven approach to assessing risk posture and prioritising remediation * Relevant professional qualification (ICA, CAMS, CISI, or equivalent) strongly advantageous; Bachelor's degree required What We Offer * £80- 120k and comprehensive benefits package * Hybrid working model- Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Office. * Real opportunities for progression as the business scales * The chance to influence both customer experience and product development * A culture that values ownership, impact, and continuous learning Equal Opportunities 1st Formations is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, criminal history, disability, or gender identity. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

About 1st Formations At 1st Formations, we empower entrepreneurs to start, run, and grow their businesses with confidence. Running a business shouldn’t be slowed down by company formation, statutory compliance, accounting, or payroll. From day one, these essentials should be seamless, reliable, and intelligently handled — freeing founders to focus on building and scaling. We’re a leading UK provider of company formation and compliance services, building a modern, fully integrated technology platform that supports founders at every stage of their journey. Our platform brings together formation, compliance, accounting, payroll, and ongoing business support in one cohesive experience. No stitched-together services. No legacy workflows disguised as software. Just a single, scalable platform built for ambitious founders who want to move fast, stay compliant, and grow with confidence. Why Join Us Now? You’ll be joining a business with strong momentum, clear direction, and real opportunity for progression. * £18m annual revenue, including £9m ARR * Over 1 million companies formed * Certified B Corp and Carbon Neutral Business * Forecast to grow 5x–10x over the next three years The Role We're looking for a proactive Credit Controller to join BSQ Group, working closely with our accountancy-as-a-service arm to manage collections, credit risk, and client account health across a growing portfolio of SME and startup clients. This is a hands-on role suited to someone who thrives in a fast-paced, scaling business and is comfortable balancing firm-but-fair collections with the kind of client relationship management that protects long-term retention. Key Responsibilities * Manage the end-to-end collections process for a portfolio of client accounts, chasing outstanding invoices via phone and/or email. * Reconcile customer accounts and resolve queries or disputes in collaboration with the accountancy service delivery team * Monitor aged debt reports and proactively flag at-risk accounts, escalating in line with credit control policy * Set appropriate credit limits and payment terms for new and existing clients, working with onboarding and sales teams * Liaise closely with the Accountancy-as-a-Service team to ensure billing accuracy and resolve any discrepancies between service delivery and invoicing * Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of collections activity, promises to pay, and account notes in the finance system * Produce regular debtor reports and cashflow forecasts for the finance leadership team * Negotiate payment plans for clients in financial difficulty, balancing commercial sensitivity with cash collection targets * Support month-end close by ensuring debtor ledger accuracy and minimising bad debt provisions * Identify process improvements to reduce DSO (Days Sales Outstanding) and improve collections efficiency What We Are Looking For * Proven experience in a credit control or collections role, ideally within a B2B, subscription, or professional services environment * Experience working with or alongside accountancy, bookkeeping, or financial services products is highly desirable * Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to manage difficult conversations professionally * Confident using accounting/finance software (e.g. Xero, Sage, or similar) and comfortable with Excel/Google Sheets for reporting * A commercially minded approach - understanding that credit control decisions can affect wider client relationships * Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage a high volume of accounts * CICM qualification (or working towards) is a plus but not essential * A collaborative mindset, comfortable working cross-functionally with accountancy, sales, and onboarding teams What We Offer * £32-35k and comprehensive benefits package * Hybrid working model * Real opportunities for progression as the business scales * The chance to influence both customer experience and product development * A culture that values ownership, impact, and continuous learning Equal Opportunities 1st Formations is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, criminal history, disability, or gender identity. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.