Loading...
← Back to HomeSituation GuideInterim Compliance
Interim Compliance
Officer UK
When and why to hire an interim compliance officer. Temporary CCO and MLRO cover for resignations, regulatory issues, and transitions.
£1,150
Avg Day Rate
3-12
Months Typical
2 wks
Start Time
Definition
What is an Interim Compliance Officer?
An interim compliance officer is a temporary, typically full-time compliance professional engaged to fill a specific gap—such as covering a departure, managing a crisis, or bridging while you recruit a permanent hire.
Unlike fractional compliance (ongoing part-time), interim is characterised by:
- Full-time or near-full-time commitment (3-5 days per week)
- Defined duration (typically 3-12 months)
- Specific objective (cover departure, complete project, manage crisis)
- Exit strategy (transition to permanent hire or fractional arrangement)
Interim vs Fractional: Key Difference
Interim = temporary full-time (gap-filling, time-limited)
Fractional = permanent part-time (ongoing operating model)
Situations
When to Hire an Interim Compliance Officer
Compliance Officer Resignation
Your CCO or MLRO has resigned and you need immediate SMF cover while recruiting their replacement.
4-8 monthsHigh Urgency
Maternity/Parental Leave
Cover during parental leave when your compliance officer will return to the role.
3-9 monthsMedium Urgency
Regulatory Investigation
FCA enforcement action or s166 review requiring experienced, independent compliance leadership.
6-12 monthsVery High Urgency
FCA Authorisation
Compliance leadership during authorisation process, transitioning to permanent hire post-approval.
6-12 monthsHigh Urgency
Major Regulatory Change
Implementing significant regulatory change (Consumer Duty, operational resilience) requiring additional capacity.
3-9 monthsMedium Urgency
M&A Integration
Compliance integration during acquisition or merger, managing combined regulatory requirements.
6-12 monthsHigh Urgency
Comparison
Interim vs Fractional vs Outsourced: What's the Difference?
| Factor | Interim | Fractional | Full-Time Employee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Commitment | Full-time (3-5 days/wk) | Part-time (1-3 days/wk) | Full-time (5 days/wk) |
| Duration | 3-12 months (defined) | Ongoing (indefinite) | Permanent |
| Monthly Cost | £16,000-£25,000 | £4,000-£12,000 | £8,000-£15,000 (all-in) |
| Start Time | 1-2 weeks | 2-4 weeks | 3-6 months |
| Best For | Gap cover, crises, projects | Ongoing strategic oversight | Complex, high-volume compliance |
Pricing
Interim Compliance Officer Costs
Day Rates
- Interim Compliance Officer: £900-£1,200/day
- Interim CCO (SMF16): £1,100-£1,400/day
- Interim MLRO (SMF17): £1,000-£1,300/day
Monthly Cost (Full-Time)
At 4-5 days per week, interim compliance costs:
- Junior/Mid Interim: £16,000-£20,000/month
- Senior Interim CCO: £20,000-£25,000/month
While this exceeds permanent employment cost, it reflects speed of deployment, flexibility, no employment obligations, and no recruitment fees.
FAQ
Interim Compliance: Common Questions
An interim compliance officer is a temporary, full-time or near-full-time compliance professional engaged to cover a specific need—such as a resignation, maternity leave, regulatory investigation, or while recruiting a permanent hire. Unlike fractional compliance (ongoing part-time), interim is typically a defined period engagement at higher time commitment.
Interim compliance is temporary full-time (3-5 days/week for a defined period, e.g., 3-12 months). Fractional compliance is ongoing part-time (1-3 days/week indefinitely). Interim fills a gap while you recruit; fractional is a permanent operating model. Interim typically costs more per month but is time-limited.
Interim compliance engagements typically last 3-12 months. Common scenarios: 3-6 months for maternity/parental leave cover, 4-8 months while recruiting a permanent CCO, 6-12 months for regulatory remediation projects, or 3-6 months for FCA authorisation support.
Interim compliance officers charge £900-£1,400 per day for full-time engagement. Monthly cost at 4-5 days/week ranges from £16,000-£25,000. This is higher than permanent employment but reflects speed of deployment, flexibility, and absence of employment obligations.
Yes, interim compliance officers can hold SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) or SMF17 (MLRO) approval. For extended interim periods, FCA approval is typically required. Some interim professionals already hold SMF approval at multiple firms, enabling faster deployment.
Hire interim when you need full-time temporary cover (resignation, leave, project). Hire fractional when you need ongoing part-time coverage as your permanent operating model. Many firms start with interim during crisis and transition to fractional once stabilised.
Get StartedNeed Interim
Need Interim
Compliance Cover?
Connect with experienced interim CCOs and MLROs for your temporary compliance needs.