A CDD analyst investigates the customers of an organisation that is subject to the Wwft, the Dutch Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act. The analyst establishes who the customer is, who is behind the customer, what the customer does and what risk comes with that. The result is a complete customer file with a well-founded risk profile. On that basis, the organisation decides whether to accept the customer or continue the relationship.
CDD stands for Customer Due Diligence. In the Wwft this is called cliëntenonderzoek. You can read more about the basics in What is KYC? and What is the Wwft?.
The daily work
A CDD analyst works on files. A file is opened for a new customer, for a periodic review or after an event, such as a change in the ownership structure or negative news about the customer. A typical working day often consists of:
- identifying and verifying the customer, with documents such as an extract from the Trade Register or an identity document
- UBO research: working through the ownership and control structure up to the natural persons who ultimately have an interest (see What is a UBO?)
- screening for politically exposed persons, sanctions and adverse media (see What is a PEP?)
- recording the purpose and nature of the relationship: what the customer does and what use can be expected
- carrying out enhanced due diligence where the risk is high, for example on the source of wealth and funds (see Enhanced due diligence)
- asking the customer questions when information is missing or does not add up
- writing a risk assessment and submitting the file for review or a decision
The analyst usually does not decide on acceptance. The analyst advises. The final decision lies with a senior colleague, an acceptance committee or the compliance function, depending on the risk and the organisation's policy.
Which skills do you need?
The work is precise and investigative. Important skills are:
- analytical thinking: understanding a structure and seeing what does not fit
- accuracy: a file must be complete and traceable
- knowledge of the rules: the Wwft, sanctions rules and the organisation's policy
- writing skills: recording a judgement briefly and clearly, so that a supervisor can follow it
- a critical attitude: asking further questions when an explanation is not logical
- communication: requesting information from customers or colleagues in a clear and professional way
Good reading skills in English and Dutch are often needed. Many documents, registers and structures are international.
Background and education
There is no set qualification for becoming a CDD analyst. Many analysts have a degree from a university or university of applied sciences in subjects such as law, economics, finance, business administration, public administration or criminology. People with work experience at a bank, accountancy firm or trust office also often join.
You learn most of the job in practice. Employers usually offer an induction period and internal training. Later you can take professional courses in anti-money laundering and compliance.
From junior to senior
In many organisations the career path looks roughly like this:
- Junior CDD analyst. You work on standard-risk files, following set work instructions. An experienced colleague reviews your work.
- Medior CDD analyst. You handle more complex files, such as foreign structures and higher-risk customers. You work more independently.
- Senior CDD analyst. You carry out enhanced due diligence, review the work of others and advise on difficult cases. You often also help write work instructions.
After that there are several directions. Think of quality control, team leadership, transaction monitoring, a specialisation in enhanced due diligence or a move to the compliance function. Read more in What is compliance?.
The profession is also changing. From 10 July 2027 the European AMLR applies, with more uniform rules across the EU. Knowledge of those rules is becoming increasingly important (see AMLR 2027).
CDD analyst or KYC analyst?
In vacancies both titles are often used interchangeably. The work is largely the same. Where organisations do make a distinction, it usually looks like this:
- a KYC analyst focuses more on collecting and checking customer data, for example during the onboarding of new customers
- a CDD analyst focuses more on the full investigation, including UBO research, risk assessment and enhanced due diligence
So look mainly at the tasks in the vacancy, not at the title.
Building a team yourself or outsourcing the work
Organisations subject to the Wwft can employ CDD analysts themselves. That requires recruitment, training, supervision and capacity for peaks, such as a remediation project. An alternative is to have the investigation carried out by a specialist party. The organisation then remains responsible for the policy and the decisions. For analysts, such a party often offers the chance to see many different types of customers and structures.