
This first part is an introduction to present a general overview.
I will introduce the users of financial information in connection to the objectives of accounting, regulations and the essential documents of an annual account.
In this part you will learn more about the credit side of the balance sheet.
To start you will learn about creating equity by issuing shares, retained earnings, dividend and decision making power.
After introducing Ultimate Beneficial Ownership, an example will illustrate how to launder money in practice.
Finally, you will learn more red flags that signal potential money laundering using equity
This section is an introduction to funding by loan liabilities. You will learn the difference with equity, how loans are recorded on a balance sheet and credit risk assessment factors that influence interest, such as maturity, collateral, seniority and solvency.
Loan structures are widely used to launder criminal funds by disguising the criminal origin of the funds. This section explain two of the most used loan structure to integrate criminal funds: (1) the Loan-back structure; (2) the Back-to-back loan structure.
This part summarize what you learned about the annual account balance sheet liabilities. In this final section, examples of red flags to signal potential money laundering will enable you if you want to ask further questions to investigate potential criminal activities.
This lecture is a further introduction to the left section of the balance sheet, the debit side, where the assets of a firm are recorded on a specific date.
This lecture explains how to assess the liquidity of a company and to signal potential money laundering by analyzing liquidity using ratio’s.
Further, VAT is introduced using examples as preparation for the next lecture.
After a short animation to explain the structure and operation of a VAT carrousel fraud, examples illustrate to signal potential VAT tax fraud.
This lecture is an introduction to the valuation of term assets on the debit side of the balance sheet. According to accounting standards, the book value of an asset is calculated by depreciation. After this lecture you understand basic depreciation techniques to calculate and what other factors can influence asset valuation.
In this final lecture about the balance sheet debit side, an example of property flipping illustrates money laundering in practice. To enable you to ask questions when analyzing the balance sheet for further investigation of potential money laundering, additional examples of red flags are planted.
This part introduces the income statement. You will learn how profit is calculated and what the difference is with the cash flow statement based on accounting principles.
This lecture explains the difference between the income statement and the cash flow statement based on accounting principles about revenue recognition, matching and accruals.
In this lecture, an example illustrates how accounting principles affect the recording of financial information in the annual account
In this lecture several examples illustrate signals how revenues and expenses can be manipulated to launder money by mixing criminal proceeds in day to day business
Trade-Based Money Laundering is one of the key methods to move and/or launder large amounts of money derived from crime.
This lecture explains how Trade-Based money laundering can be done and finishes with red flags that can signal this type of white washing.
Understand Finance to Spot Money Laundering (KYC & CDD Made Simple)
Are you working in AML, KYC, or CDD and want to feel confident analysing finance? This course is designed for professionals with no prior financial background who need to understand financial statements and annual accounts to spot potential red flags.
In clear, simple steps, you’ll learn how to interpret balance sheets, income statements, and cash flows, and apply this knowledge directly to your compliance role. Real-world examples show you how suspicious patterns can appear in financial data — helping you strengthen your risk assessments and investigations.
By the end, you’ll be equipped to detect red flags in financial information, support better decision-making, and grow your expertise in compliance, KYC, and CDD.
Are you working in—or planning a career in—Anti-Money Laundering (AML), KYC, or Customer Due Diligence (CDD)?
Do you want to spot red flags in financial statements without needing to be an accountant or finance expert?
Then this course was built for YOU.
Why This Course?
Criminals often hide behind complex company structures and manipulate financial information to disguise illegal funds. This course gives you the tools to see through those tricks.
You’ll learn how to read and analyze annual accounts with confidence—no prior finance knowledge required. Finance is not rocket science, and I’ll prove it to you step by step.
What You’ll Be Able to Do
By the end of this course, you will:
Understand financial information in balance sheets, income statements, and cash flows
Recognize red flags that signal possible money laundering techniques
Assess risks and decide whether further investigation is needed
This knowledge is not just theory—it’s practical AML skills you can apply in your daily work.
What’s Inside the Course
1.5 hours of engaging video presentations
39 multiple-choice questions to test and sharpen your knowledge
3 structured sections with 16 lectures + 9 quizzes
Course Breakdown
Section 1 – Finance Fundamentals Made Simple
Understand annual accounts, categories, and regulations
Get comfortable with the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement
Section 2 – Deep Dive: Balance Sheets & Red Flags
Equity vs liabilities, depreciation, solvency, and liquidity
Real-world money laundering examples: offshore structures, VAT carousel, property flipping, and more
Spot financial manipulations with practical red flag cases
Section 3 – Income & Cash Flows in Action
Learn EBIT and accounting basics without the jargon
Understand the link between revenues, costs, and cash flows
Detect suspicious activities like phantom shipping, multiple invoicing, and asset valuation tricks
Who Is This For?
AML, KYC, and CDD professionals (or aspiring professionals)
Compliance officers, investigators, and analysts
Anyone curious about how financial statements reveal hidden risks
=> Try before you commit – preview free lessons before enrolling.
=> Still have questions? Send me a message—I’m here to help.
=> Enroll today and gain the confidence to uncover money laundering risks where others might miss them!
OUR OTHER UDEMY AVAILABLE COURSES
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Since 2005 we design education programs for professionals who do not have a background in finance.
More than 40.000 have already participated in our low cost programs:
Explore our Udemy eLearning
Understand Banks & Financial Markets
Understand Money Market Securities and Repos
Finance Management: Banks as Risk Factories
Finance Management: a practical guide to cover Currency Risk
An Introduction to Financial Money and Capital Markets
If you have any questions or would like more information about our eLearning or classroom programs, please feel free to contact me.