Our experience of financial services stem from our founder and Managing Director, Ashish Patani, who has nearly twenty-years work experience of banking and financial services gained within the Big 4 firms and Tier 1 Investment Bank.
No doubt, 2020 has been an economically turbulent year for the sector, given the coronavirus pandemic. The banking and financial sector is seeing huge challenges brought about by the match of new technology, like integrating AI and blockchain while counteracting cyber risk. Regulatory change continues to impact every aspect of the sector.
Ashlynwood can provide an independent professional assurance service, designed to enable you with strong governance, enhanced risk management and effective control environment. These measures help improve the quality of information for decision making and build sustainable growth.
Our operational support services are designed to allow you to concentrate on developing your business while we take care of the day-to-day operational requirements, through co-source or full outsourcing arrangements.
We specialise in internal control review and provide specialist advisory services which help manage governance, regulatory, compliance, financial, and operational risk.
List of services
Below is a non-exhaustive list of services we offer for our clients in the banking and financial service sector. If you require ad hoc services please do get in touch and see how we can help you.
Governance
Board member & staff training
Governance review
Internal controls reviews
Regulations
FCA & PRA reviews
Setting up branches
Setting up international operations
Compliance
ALM & KYC review
Cyber security review
Data protection review
Accounting & Tax
Bookkeeping
Cash flow forecasting
Management information reporting
Stress testing reviews
Statutory accounts preparation
VAT
Payroll
Imaginative, Smart & Agile
We are a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) that can undertake Accounting and Tax work, as well as provide assurance services and opperational support through co-source and outsourcing arrangements.
Blog: Banking and Financial Services
Role of Internal Audit in ensuring sustainable business processes
Internal auditors play a critical role in driving the ESG and sustainability agenda. Internal auditors are well placed to ensure that Board members and senior management of organisations are prioritising ESG factors in all activities.
Budget 2021: property and sustainable investment
While COVID-19 took centre stage in this year's Budget, there were also some headline-grabbing measures on property and sustainable investment.
The future is green investment: focusing on ESG in 2021
In 2021, climate change continues to be a vital issue for investment managers, despite the distraction of COVID-19. Here’s why ESG and green investments matters for your firm.
Off-payroll working in the private sector, IR35
The emergence of COVID-19 put paid to the changes affecting large and medium-sized private-sector organisations this time last year, but now it’s for real.
National insurance contribution (NIC) planning
Our state pension, benefits, health service and more are all funded by National Insurance contributions (NICs).
Spring Budget 2021 Summary
The Chancellor has attempted to strike a balance between continuing to prop up the businesses worst affected by COVID-19, while setting out a roadmap to wean the UK economy off this emergency support.
Testimonials
Ashish Patani is a thoroughly professional Financial Services Specialist with an immense work ethic and outstanding approach to complex issues and challenges. I have known Ashish for over 10 years both as a trusted advisor & colleague. I highly recommend him for his specialist skills in Securities Services, Fund Accounting and Audit issues.
I enjoyed working with Ashish on various Financial Service Audit reviews. I found him very professional, efficient and focused in his approach to work.
Ashlynwood undertook a review of our Organisation’s Governance and Structure. We found them very friendly and open, knowledgeable, insightful and professional. They offered us important insights into things that could be improved and the steps forward to do so. I view them as valued colleagues and would not hesitate to recommend them.
Case Studies: Banking and Financial Service Sector
KYC Process Review
Ashlynwood was engaged to review a bank's KYC process as the MLRO had concerns over identification of High Risk clients during the KYC onboarding process. Our review checked against the minimum required criteria of CDD, EDD, SDD, PEPs as well as in-life KYC management.
FCA remediation review
Following on from previous investigation conducted by the FCA, the CFO of the Bank requested Ashlynwood to review the concerns raised by the FCA and identify any additional control weaknesses in the Bank’s processes.
Internal whistle-blowing case
Due to whistle-blowing concerns raised, Ashlynwood was engaged to assist in conducting a review of the Bank’s Mortgage product offering to identify any regulatory breaches.
New payment monitoring system
The Bank engaged Ashlynwood to undertake a review of a newly implemented SWIFT Transaction Monitoring Sanctions screening process.
Outsourced payment processing review
Ashlynwood was engaged to review the Bank’s project to roll-out a new payment card product having partnered with an outsourced payment service provider.
Information Technology Breaches
Ashlynwood was engaged to review the Bank’s IT Change Management (ITCM) processes for its legacy and new IT systems.
