Regulatory Reporting & SAR Filing
An alert is open and someone has to decide whether it requires a suspicious activity report (SAR). AMS assesses the case, prepares and files the report with your FIU — supporting fintech, crypto, CASP/VASP, EMI and payment firms.
Our regulatory reporting and SAR filing services cover the full process: a documented filing decision, report preparation, secure submission and follow-up communication with the authority. Whether your framework uses a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR), Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) or another local reporting form, we help you act without undue delay and keep a clear record of the decision. We agree the scope and turnaround before we start.
When Companies
Come to Us
SAR cases often require a prompt, well-documented decision. When a filing obligation arises, delays or gaps in the record can quickly become a regulatory issue.
You are not sure a SAR is required
Not every alert creates a filing obligation. We assess the facts, KYC information and risk context, document the decision and determine whether the case should be reported to the FIU.
The report needs to be regulator-ready
We prepare the suspicious activity report, structure the suspicion narrative and supporting information, and make sure the case is ready for secure submission through the approved reporting channel.
The case is complex or non-standard
Crypto, fintech, CASP/VASP, EMI and payment cases can involve multiple counterparties, wallets and transaction flows. We turn that complexity into a clear case that a regulator can follow.
End-to-end suspicious activity reporting support — from case assessment and report preparation to secure FIU submission and post-filing records.
The service includes:
- Case assessment — determining whether a SAR filing obligation is triggered.
- Report preparation — drafting the suspicious activity report with the required case information.
- Secure submission — filing through the approved reporting channel.
- Submission confirmation — retaining evidence of filing for compliance records.
- Compliance notes — documenting the rationale, assumptions and follow-up actions.
- Audit trail — recording who reviewed the case, what was assessed and why.
- Confidentiality handling — managing communications in line with tipping-off restrictions.
- Urgent case handling — agreeing a priority turnaround where filing cannot wait.
- Support during inspections — responses and evidence when the authority reviews your SAR files.
Other AML Compliance Services
Need support beyond regulatory reporting? AMS can help you build, strengthen and maintain the wider AML framework with:
AML Advisory Support
Practical guidance on AML requirements and compliance decisions
AML Policy Development
Risk-based AML policies and procedures tailored to your business
AML Officer and MLRO
Ongoing AML oversight and support from an appointed specialist
Independent AML Audit
Independent review of AML controls and regulatory readiness
AML Training & Certification
Role-based AML training for employees and management teams
AML compliance services
Explore our full range of AML compliance services and support
Not sure whether the case requires a SAR?
Our specialists assess borderline cases for fintech, crypto, EMI and payment firms. You get a reasoned, documented conclusion.
Send us the transaction details and the alert or risk signal
We will assess whether a SAR filing obligation is triggered, identify any missing information and tell you if filing is not required.
Why Work With AMS for Regulatory Reporting
Human Assessment Before Filing
We review the facts and context before a SAR is filed, helping you determine whether a reporting obligation actually arises and avoid unnecessary filings based on false positives.
End-to-End Case Handling
We prepare the report, arrange secure submission to the competent FIU and maintain the supporting rationale, audit trail and follow-up records needed for regulatory review.
Crypto & Fintech Experience
We work with crypto, CASP/VASP, EMI and payment businesses, where wallet exposure, counterparties and complex transaction flows often require a more specialised approach to the report.
How It Works
Case Assessment
You share the alert, transaction data, KYC/KYB records and internal notes. We review the facts, identify any gaps and determine whether a SAR filing obligation arises.
SAR Preparation
If filing is required, we prepare the suspicious activity report with the relevant client information, transaction details, suspicion rationale, risk classification and supporting documentation.
Secure FIU Submission
We submit the SAR through the approved reporting channel, retain submission confirmation and organise the supporting records for your compliance file.
Post-Filing Support
If the FIU requests clarification or additional documents, we support the response and keep the audit trail complete throughout the follow-up.
Need urgent support with a SAR?
We work to the standard the FIU expects: a structured narrative, complete records and a filing decision you can stand behind.
Where a SAR filing obligation arises, action may be required without undue delay
Send us the case and we will take it from assessment to secure submission, with the turnaround agreed before we start.
FAQ
Through which channels is a SAR submitted?
You submit a SAR through the secure channel that the competent FIU approves. Depending on the jurisdiction, this may be goAML, a national reporting portal or another authenticated system. Regular email is never permitted, because of confidentiality requirements. AMS confirms the correct channel and handles the submission.
How do I know whether I need to file a SAR?
Not every alert creates a SAR filing obligation. We assess the facts, KYC information and risk context to determine whether you need to report the case and document the decision. See our step-by-step guide for more on how to file a SAR.
What happens after a SAR is submitted?
The FIU may accept the report without further action or ask for clarification or additional documents. AMS supports the follow-up, organises the submission confirmation and keeps the decision rationale and supporting records complete.
Can we tell the client that we filed a SAR?
Tipping-off restrictions limit what you can disclose about a report or related investigation. We help you document the case and manage communications in line with the applicable confidentiality requirements.
Do I need an AML Officer or MLRO to file a SAR?
The applicable regulatory framework determines who takes responsibility for internal escalation and external reporting. Many obliged entities assign this role to an AML Officer or MLRO. For ongoing support, see our outsourced AML Officer and MLRO service.
How fast can you take on an urgent case?
We prioritise urgent cases. Once we receive the key facts and documents, we agree the turnaround before starting and work toward a documented filing decision without undue delay.
Can SAR submissions be automated?
Systems can automate parts of the process, including monitoring, alerts and case management. Human judgement still drives the filing decision and the suspicion narrative. AMS provides the assessment, preparation and filing support rather than SAR filing software.
Do you take responsibility for the report?
AMS can handle the assessment, report preparation, secure submission and supporting documentation. The obliged entity and the responsible persons under the applicable rules retain the underlying regulatory responsibility.
Do you file SARs outside the EU?
Yes. We support obliged entities in the EU, Switzerland, the UAE, Canada, Singapore, El Salvador, Panama and other jurisdictions. The reporting obligation, the deadline and the filing channel differ by country, so we confirm the applicable framework and the competent FIU before the case is assessed.