Financial Crime Data Science

Akshaya Pillai

413-***-**** • Akshaya Pillai LinkedIn• ************@*****.***

EDUCATION

Isenberg School Of Management (University of Massachusetts, Amherst) [December 2024- Present] Master of Science, Finance

Relevant Coursework: Corporate Finance – Data Science for Finance – Python – Investment Management – Fixed Income – Derivative Strategies & Risk Management – Real Assets – Hedge Funds – Private Equity & Venture Capital – Asset Allocation & Due Diligence

Amrita School of Business, Amrita University [May 2018] Master of Business Administration, Finance

Relevant Coursework: Financial Accounting – Data Analytics – Financial Management – Statistics with R – Commercial and Retail Banking – Quantitative Equity Portfolio Management – Strategic Management – Financial Markets – Financial Statement Analysis – Enterprise Models – Analysis Modelling and Design – Corporate Taxation Mahatma Gandhi University [May 2016]

Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Computer Applications Relevant Coursework: Business Statistics – Quantitative Techniques & Business Research – Business Management – Computerised Accounting – Cost Accounting – Capital Market – Practical Auditing – Special Accounting PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Commonwealth Bank of Australia [January 2023 – August 2024] Financial Crime Risk Senior Associate Consultant

• Led investigations of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) involving fraud, providing actionable insights and recommendations to the Financial Crime Manager and MLRO, ensuring compliance with AML and CTF regulations.

• Provided Subject Matter Expert (SME) support and training to team members, enhancing transaction monitoring and risk assessment capabilities while ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and internal compliance policies.

• Analyzed large datasets using advanced Excel (pivot tables, macros, VBA) and internal tools to identify suspicious activities, leading a team to resolve financial crime cases while optimizing operational efficiency and reporting to senior management on emerging risks.

Accenture (Client: Stripe Inc.) [July 2022 - December 2022] Business Process Delivery Associate – Financial Crime Analysis

• Conducted comprehensive financial crime analysis on Stripe's payment gateway transactions, identifying and mitigating risks related to money laundering, fraud, and other suspicious activities in alignment with AML and CTF regulations.

• Monitored and analyzed transaction patterns using advanced tools to detect anomalies, performed risk profiling, and escalated high-risk activities to stakeholders while ensuring compliance with global standards.

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to resolve flagged transactions, prepared detailed reports on findings and trends, and contributed to process enhancements to improve transaction monitoring efficiency. Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) [January 2020 – June 2022] Financial Crime Compliance Associate

• Analyzed AML transaction monitoring alerts across core banking segments, including Global Banking, Retail Banking, Correspondent Banking, and Commercial Banking, to identify and mitigate potential financial crime risks

• Worked on customer-level monitoring (CLM) processes and cross-trained in the Global Payments Systems (GPS) Hub process to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and internal policies.

• Provided team support by handling complex cases, sharing expertise across processes, and contributing to maintaining high standards in financial crime compliance operations. Algates Financial Private Limited [July 2018 - December 2019] Support Specialist

• Conducted financial analysis on company performance to identify high-potential investment opportunities in stocks, equity options, and future stocks, providing actionable insights to investors for optimal portfolio management.

• Supported trading operations by advising on investment strategies and risk management, ensuring alignment with market trends and maximizing returns for clients.

KEY SKILLS and CERTIFICATIONS

• SQL (Window Functions, CTEs) • Data Analytics • MS PowerPoint • Anaplan

• FP&A • Regulatory Compliance • FINRA • Financial Management

• Power BI (DAX, Dataflow) • Data Visualization • SIE • Tableau

• Python (NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib) • Bloomberg • JIRA • AML Compliance

• R (dplyr, ggplot2, readr, ROCR) • Financial Data Modelling • MS Excel (Power Query, HLOOKUP, Solver)

• CAIA Level 1 exam waived as a MS Finance (Alternative Investment) graduate from UMass Amherst.

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