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← Back to HomeCareer GuidePart-Time Compliance
Part-Time Compliance
Jobs UK
Find flexible part-time compliance jobs in the UK. CCO, MLRO, and compliance officer roles paying £800-£1,500/day. Build a portfolio career in regulatory compliance.
£1,050
Avg Day Rate
1-3
Days/Week
60%
Remote Options
Part-time compliance jobs have transformed how experienced regulatory professionals structure their careers. Whether you're seeking better work-life balance, building a portfolio career, or transitioning from full-time employment, the UK market offers growing opportunities for flexible compliance work.
The Rise of Part-Time Compliance Work
The UK market for part-time compliance jobs has grown significantly since 2020. Several factors drive this trend:
- FinTech growth: Hundreds of newly FCA-authorised firms need compliance expertise but can't justify full-time hires
- Regulatory complexity: Consumer Duty, operational resilience, and crypto regulation require specialist knowledge that's in short supply
- Remote work normalisation: The pandemic proved compliance oversight can be delivered remotely, opening up geographic flexibility
- Cost pressures: Economic uncertainty makes fractional compliance attractive versus £100k+ full-time salaries
- Career preferences: Senior compliance professionals increasingly value flexibility and portfolio careers over single-employer relationships
Industry Terminology
"Part-time compliance jobs" and "fractional compliance" describe similar arrangements. "Part-time" emphasises the reduced hours; "fractional" emphasises working with multiple clients. Both typically involve 1-3 days per week per client at senior levels.
Role Types
Types of Part-Time Compliance Roles
Part-Time CCO
Chief Compliance Officer roles working 1-3 days per week. SMF16 accountability, strategic compliance oversight, regulatory relationship management.
£1,000-£1,500/day1-2 days/week
Part-Time MLRO
Money Laundering Reporting Officer positions. AML/CTF framework oversight, SAR submissions, transaction monitoring oversight.
£900-£1,300/day1-2 days/week
Compliance Consultant
Project-based or ongoing compliance support. Policy development, gap analysis, regulatory change implementation.
£700-£1,100/dayFlexible
Compliance Monitoring Officer
Part-time compliance monitoring and testing roles. First-line assurance, breach investigation, MI production.
£600-£900/day2-3 days/week
Comparison
Part-Time vs Full-Time Compliance Work
| Factor | Part-Time/Fractional | Full-Time Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Earnings | £80,000-£200,000+ | £70,000-£150,000 |
| Effective Hourly Rate | £100-£190/hour | £35-£75/hour |
| Work Flexibility | High—choose clients and schedule | Limited—employer determines |
| Job Security | Variable—depends on client pipeline | Higher—notice periods protect |
| Benefits | Self-funded pension, no sick pay | Employer pension, benefits package |
| Career Development | Self-directed, broad exposure | Employer training, internal progression |
| Experience Variety | Multiple firms, sectors, challenges | Deep expertise in one organisation |
Job Search
Where to Find Part-Time Compliance Jobs
Part-time compliance jobs are often filled through networks rather than job boards. Here's where to find opportunities:
Specialist Recruitment Agencies
Several agencies focus on compliance and interim financial services roles:
- Bruin Financial — Strong in compliance and risk interim market
- Robert Walters — Compliance recruitment with interim/contract desk
- Morgan McKinley — Financial services compliance specialists
- Goodman Masson — Interim and contract compliance roles
- Compliance Professionals — Niche compliance-only agency
Compliance Consultancies
Many consultancies employ fractional compliance officers or can connect you with clients:
- Bovill — Large UK compliance consultancy with fractional services
- Thistle Initiatives — Outsourced compliance and appointed representative services
- Compliancy Services — FinTech-focused compliance support
- CUBE — RegTech with compliance consulting arm
Professional Networks
Many part-time opportunities come through professional connections:
- ICA (International Compliance Association) — Events, forums, and job board
- CISI — Compliance-focused professional body with networking events
- LinkedIn — Compliance-specific groups and direct outreach
- Former colleagues — Referrals from your professional network
Direct Approaches
Proactively approaching firms can uncover opportunities not yet advertised. Target:
- Newly FCA-authorised firms (check the FCA register for recent authorisations)
- Growing FinTechs and crypto firms
- Private equity portfolio companies
- Firms advertising for full-time compliance staff (may consider part-time alternatives)
Career Transition
How to Transition to Part-Time Compliance Work
Moving from full-time employment to part-time/fractional compliance requires preparation.
1
Build Your Track Record
Ensure you have 10+ years compliance experience with direct FCA interaction and preferably SMF approval history.
2
Develop Specialist Expertise
Focus on high-demand areas: Consumer Duty, crypto AML, payments compliance, or operational resilience.
3
Set Up Your Business
Establish a limited company, obtain professional indemnity insurance (£1m+ cover), and understand IR35 implications.
4
Build Your Network
Connect with compliance consultancies, recruiters, lawyers, and accountants who can refer work.
5
Start While Employed
Consider taking one part-time client (with employer agreement) before fully transitioning to test the market.
6
Price Competitively
Start at market rates (£900-£1,100/day for experienced compliance officers) and adjust based on demand.
Want a step-by-step guide? Read our comprehensive article onhow to become a fractional compliance officer.
Requirements
Skills for Part-Time Compliance Roles
Core Qualifications
- ICA Certificate/Diploma or CISI Diploma in Investment Compliance
- 10+ years compliance experience in FCA-regulated firms
- Previous SMF16 or SMF17 approval (for senior roles)
- Clean regulatory record with no FCA enforcement history
Technical Knowledge
- FCA Handbook and regulatory framework
- Senior Managers & Certification Regime
- AML/CTF regulations and JMLSG guidance
- Consumer Duty and conduct risk
- Sector-specific rules (COBS, CONC, BCOBS, etc.)
Business Skills
- Board and committee presentation skills
- Policy and procedure drafting
- Regulatory relationship management
- Risk assessment and compliance monitoring programme design
- Training delivery and compliance culture development
High-Demand Specialisms
Certain specialisms command premium rates:
- Crypto and digital assets — FCA registration, Travel Rule, AML
- Consumer Duty — Implementation and ongoing monitoring
- Payments and e-money — EMI/PI authorisation and compliance
- CASS — Client assets and client money rules
- Operational resilience — Business continuity and third-party risk
Compensation
Part-Time Compliance Salary Expectations
| Role | Day Rate | Annual (2 days/week) | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance Analyst | £400-£600 | £40,000-£60,000 | 3-5 years |
| Compliance Officer | £600-£900 | £60,000-£90,000 | 5-10 years |
| Senior Compliance Officer | £900-£1,200 | £90,000-£120,000 | 10-15 years |
| Head of Compliance / CCO | £1,200-£1,500 | £120,000-£150,000 | 15+ years |
Annual earnings assume approximately 100 billable days (2 days per week, accounting for holidays and non-billable time). Many fractional compliance professionals work 3-4 days per week across multiple clients, earning £150,000-£200,000+.
For detailed salary data, see our Compliance Officer Salary UK 2025 guide.
UK Tax
IR35: Inside vs Outside
As a part-time compliance professional, your IR35 status significantly impacts take-home pay
UK Tax Calculator
IR35 Take-Home Pay Calculator
See how IR35 status affects your earnings as a fractional executive
£1,000
£400£2,000
4 days
1 day5 days
48 weeks
40 weeks52 weeks
Gross Annual: £192,000
Inside IR35
Umbrella company or deemed employment - taxed like an employee
- Gross Revenue
- £192,000
- Employer's NI
- -£11,261
- Income Tax
- -£57,648
- Employee NI
- -£5,409
- Umbrella Margin
- -£1,200
- 5% Expenses
- +£9,600
Take-Home Pay
£116,482
39.3% effective tax rate
Outside IR35
Limited company - optimal salary + dividends structure
- Company Revenue
- £192,000
- Salary Taken
- £12,570
- Company Expenses
- -£3,000
- Corporation Tax
- -£46,754
- Dividend Tax
- -£38,948
- Dividends Available
- £129,676
Take-Home Pay
£103,298
46.2% effective tax rate
Being Outside IR35 Saves You
-£13,184
per year (-11.3% more take-home)
Beta
Important: This calculator provides rough estimates for illustration only. IR35 status is determined by the nature of your working arrangement, not by choice. Always consult with a qualified tax accountant or IR35 specialist before making financial decisions.
Tax rates based on 2024/25 UK tax year. Outside IR35 assumes optimal limited company structure. For official guidance, see gov.uk/IR35 or use HMRC's CEST tool.
Remote Working
Remote Part-Time Compliance Jobs
Many part-time compliance jobs now offer remote or hybrid working arrangements. The nature of senior compliance work—strategic oversight, policy review, regulatory monitoring—lends itself well to remote delivery.
What Can Be Done Remotely
- Compliance monitoring and testing
- Policy and procedure review
- Regulatory change analysis
- Training development and delivery
- Board pack preparation and MI reporting
- Virtual committee attendance
What Typically Requires On-Site
- FCA meetings and regulatory visits
- Board and committee meetings (some firms)
- Team building and culture development
- Complex investigations and interviews
- Initial onboarding and relationship building
Typical hybrid arrangement: 1-2 days per month on-site for committee meetings and team interaction, remainder remote. Some SMF holders successfully work fully remotely, particularly for smaller firms outside London.
FAQ
Part-Time Compliance Jobs: Common Questions
Part-time compliance jobs are compliance officer, CCO, or MLRO positions where you work less than full-time hours—typically 1-3 days per week. These roles provide strategic compliance oversight to organisations without requiring a full-time commitment. In the UK, part-time compliance professionals often hold FCA-approved SMF roles (SMF16 for Compliance Oversight, SMF17 for MLRO) and work with multiple clients simultaneously.
Part-time compliance jobs in the UK typically pay £800-£1,500 per day, depending on seniority and specialisation. Junior compliance consultants earn £600-£900/day, experienced compliance officers £900-£1,200/day, and senior CCO/MLRO roles £1,200-£1,500/day. Working 2 days per week, annual earnings range from £80,000 to £150,000+.
Yes, many compliance officers work part-time, particularly at senior levels. The FCA permits part-time appointments for SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) and SMF17 (MLRO) roles, provided the individual has sufficient time and resource to fulfil their responsibilities. Part-time compliance work is common in FinTech, payments, crypto, and smaller regulated firms.
Part-time compliance jobs can be found through specialist recruitment agencies (Robert Walters, Morgan McKinley, Bruin Financial), compliance consultancies offering fractional services (Bovill, Thistle Initiatives), LinkedIn and compliance professional networks (ICA, CISI), and platforms like fractional.quest. Many roles are not widely advertised—networking is key.
For senior part-time compliance roles holding SMF positions, you typically need 10+ years of compliance experience in financial services, ICA or CISI compliance qualifications, previous FCA approval history for SMF roles, clean regulatory track record, and sector-specific expertise (FinTech, crypto, investment management). Junior roles may accept 5+ years experience.
Many part-time compliance roles offer remote or hybrid working. The strategic nature of compliance work—policy review, regulatory monitoring, board reporting—can largely be done remotely. However, most firms expect some on-site presence for committee meetings, team collaboration, and regulatory visits. Fully remote compliance roles exist but are less common for SMF holders.
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