How to Become a Compliance Officer: A Comprehensive Guide

All industries and businesses are regulated to some degree. Oil and natural gas companies must comply with environmental laws. Healthcare businesses must follow privacy and legal rules. Safety regulations cover businesses from daycare centers to heavy construction.

A company does not have to be a Fortune 100 corporation or a multinational to need a compliance officer. Regulatory compliance is essential for every company. A compliance officer in a corporation ensures that corporate filings are complete and filed with the correct government agency on time. Large companies have compliance programs staffed with multiple officers so that each department complies with regulations.

In healthcare, insurance regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) mean that patient records and other documents must be stored in accordance with state and federal guidelines. Healthcare compliance is particularly critical because patients have grounds for medical malpractice suits in cases of regulatory non-compliance. The healthcare compliance officer must keep track of rapidly changing laws as new rules emerge from Washington.

Corporate compliance is an important job in any field. Compliance managers are in high demand in corporate offices and civil service. Compliance professionals can also be found in smaller businesses, ranging from construction companies to school administration.

A compliance officer ensures regulatory compliance, but how do they do that? The specific requirements will depend on the industry you’re working in, whether it’s healthcare, finance, or energy, but the basic job description of a compliance officer might look like this:

If the compliance officer must build and operate a compliance department or work within an existing department, there are five critical tasks the department should perform:

A compliance officer position is not an entry-level slot. You will need a four-year degree for a compliance officer position. To move up in a company as a compliance manager, you may need a law degree, an MBA, or an MLS. Most companies want a four-year degree to hire a compliance officer, and if you want a higher-level position like a compliance manager job, you may need a law degree or MBA. Note that in some companies a compliance officer and manager may be the same position.

A good place to start on becoming a compliance officer is to decide on a specialization. Every field needs compliance officers, so you should begin with a four-year degree in a field that interests you. For instance, if you plan to specialize in environmental regulation, you may need a biology, environmental science, or geology degree. 

If you intend to work in healthcare regulation or corporate compliance, you should consider an MLS or other legal studies degree with a healthcare specialization. These areas involve a lot of legal jargon and an understanding of contracts and government codes. For example, a healthcare compliance officer must know how to spot a HIPAA violation, correct it, and develop a method to avoid such mistakes.

Seek career advice from someone already in the field. Compliance analysts can be found in city government code enforcement and OSHA offices. Don't hesitate to ask if you can shadow one of their agents for a day and ask questions about the job. They can tell you the difference between government and corporate jobs, although they may be biased towards the civil sector.

Certification is an optional step to become a compliance officer.

However, many employers may want you to have certifications before extending a final employment offer. Your marketability is enhanced if you have certification before you start your job search.

Most certification programs offer intensive programs in a particular specialization and offer or require membership in a monitoring organization like those mentioned below to maintain certification. These organizations keep lists of active members and any continuing education requirements. Membership with these organizations gives you access to their job boards and workshops. You can use these to improve your knowledge base and increase your employability. These certifications help demonstrate your dedication to your career and specialization. 

The Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) offers the Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional Program (CCEP). This certification demonstrates knowledge of compliance procedures and an ability to explain and instruct these policies to others.

Other industry-related certifications you should consider include:

• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS). Offered by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists. International recognition.

• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners offers an online course and membership in their organization.      

• Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM). The American Bankers Association offers a course and training for the exam in financial regulatory compliance.

• Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC). One of several certifications offered by the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA). HCCA is associated with SCCE in maintaining certified compliance programs nationally.

• Healthcare Research Compliance Certification (CHRC). Another certification offered by the HCCA.

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Cybersecurity regulation and compliance.

Other industries have compliance certifications and specializations.OSHA certifications are available for anyone who completes the requisite training program, and can be valuable for those in the construction, energy, and maritime industries.

If you intend to become a compliance officer, you need to have or develop core competencies. Although you’ll be working for a corporation you must have a strong ethical commitment to regulatory compliance, high ethical standards, and good knowledge of the relevant laws in your industry. Although your specific job skills depend on your particular industry, you must have:

• Outstanding communication skills. You must be able to translate legal and regulatory jargon to employees, management, and corporate officers clearly and effectively.

• Analytical ability. You should be able to spot compliance risks before there is a violation and create effective solutions quickly.

• Attention to detail and multi-tasking ability. As regulations change and laws are amended, you should be able to spot possible involuntary noncompliance issues and correct them before they happen. Be prepared to go to your managers and say, “This is going to happen, and this could be an issue, and I think this is how we can prevent it from happening.”

• Leadership and team-building abilities. You must be able to work with other departments and corporate agencies to ensure compliance from top to bottom in the company. You should also be able to take charge and prevent cans from being kicked down the road when nobody wants to decide.

• Integrity and ethics. Compliance regulation managers often find themselves caught between corporate profits and corporate compliance. You are the one who must explain that cutting corners around regulations now means heavy fines when the auditors show up in the fall.

Becoming a compliance officer is not a common career path. As a result, there are many frequently asked questions about how to get started in this interesting and lucrative career.

• Do you need a certification to get a job as a compliance officer? You do not need a certification to get a job as a compliance officer, but it will improve your career prospects. In many fields, especially healthcare, you may need a specific certification to advance or be hired for management positions.

• What kind of experience is needed to become a healthcare compliance officer? You should have experience in healthcare, regulatory compliance, or a similar field. Experts recommend you not go into healthcare compliance without knowledge of regulations, healthcare auditing, investigations, and violation corrections.

• Do you need to go to law school to become a compliance officer? You do not need a law degree to become a compliance officer, but most experts recommend some knowledge of the legal field. You should be familiar with legal terminology and regulatory language.

• What degree should I pursue for a career as a compliance analyst? Compliance analyst is not an entry-level position. You should plan on a two- or four-year degree to become a compliance analyst. A degree in your specialization is ideal, although you do not need an advanced or post-graduate degree. If you want a management or CCO (Chief Compliance Officer) position, you may need an MBA.

• What are the main differences between a compliance officer and a risk officer? A risk officer is tasked with assessing and reducing all risks that may impact the company, including competitive risks, product liability, IT breaches, etc. The compliance officer’s only concern is regulatory compliance. The jobs may intersect since IT breaches involve regulatory violations, liability, legal regulation, etc.

• What are the career prospects for compliance officers? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), compliance officers have solid career prospects, with a growth rate of about 5% annually, slightly more than the national average. Information services, IT, and aerospace most need compliance officers, and growth states include California, Arizona, and Texas.

• How long does it take to become a compliance officer? You will not need to put your life on pause while getting a four-year degree. You can begin working in a desired company or your field of choice while getting your bachelor’s. For instance, if you plan on becoming a healthcare regulator, start working in hospital administration to have experience with the forms you’ll handle as a compliance officer. Getting some experience and starting on your certifications can give you a head start when it’s time to apply for your desired job.

Once you’re working as a compliance officer, part of your job involves staying current with regulatory changes. Sometimes, these happen seemingly overnight, without much notice. Federal and state agencies must have a public comment period for any new regulation. You will get these notices and be advised by your superiors of upcoming changes.

Once you’ve established yourself in your company and developed your reputation for spotting compliance issues and managing compliance risks, you may have other opportunities for advancement. Large corporations have compliance managers in each department or subsidiary. If your company has international offices, the job of overseas regulation can be a job for a highly skilled regulatory manager. A Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) oversees all regulatory compliance for the entire corporation. These positions are rare except in large corporations.

Current job trends for compliance professionals, besides the reliable healthcare industry, are information technology and cybersecurity. International compliance requirements, such as the EU GDPR (General Data Protection Requirements), are also prevalent in the United States.

Since the early days of the internet, technology tools for compliance have lagged far behind the regulations to keep businesses from leaking customer data, which have been outstripped by hackers and data thieves. Regulatory requirements update daily, so an IT compliance officer must be at the top of their game to ensure their company is current on regulatory affairs.

To become a compliance officer, your first step should be gathering career advice from as many sources as possible. Network with compliance professionals on LinkedIn or Facebook to get information on the different types of certifications and entry-level jobs you can acquire. Then, follow a few basic steps.

Compliance officers are well-paid and sought-after professionals in today’s job market. If you’re willing to work to obtain the education and extra certifications, the business and healthcare industry needs people who can keep them compliant with federal, state, and local regulations and protect their client's and stakeholders’ interests.

If you’re a good communicator, detail-oriented, and like to keep up with the law, the compliance officer job may be for you. Visit the professional organizations linked here, join their networks, and sign up for courses in this rewarding and interesting field.