Meet our core team behind the AML Learning Suite. Our subject-matter experts work within KPMG Malta’s Risk Consulting Advisory Services and deliver seminars from our AML Learning Suite.
The aim of this Learning Suite is to provide insights into the most current developments in AML.
KPMG’s AML/CFT team have the skills and experience to provide thought leadership on evolving regulations, money laundering and terrorism exploitation.
Deborah Cassar, Associate Director, Risk Consulting Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
Deborah is an Associate Director in AML within the Risk Consulting Advisory Services team at KPMG in Malta. She joined the team and the firm in January 2019. Deborah graduated in Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Banking & Finance and Management, in 2006 from the University of Malta. She has over 10 years’ experience within the Financial Services sector at local and international banks and over 11 years’ experience in the AML/CFT field. Before joining KPMG, Deborah worked for over 2 years with the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) within the Compliance department. She has extensive experience in carrying out Compliance on-site and off-site examinations with subject persons within the Financial Services sector, DNFBPs, Gaming sector and others; and advising and assisting subject persons to establishing appropriate AML/CFT internal structures and controls. In 2017 she has obtained an international golden standard specialisation with ACAMS as a recognised Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS). Apart from also being an active member with the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), she is a Co-Founder and the Vice-Chair of the ACAMS Malta Chapter. She has also obtained ICA qualifications in Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions Compliance and in Regulatory and Financial Crime Compliance. At KPMG, Deborah works extensively in the areas of Anti-Money Laundering Compliance. She has managed AML projects locally and assisted entities in the financial services and gaming sectors to comply with regulatory obligations specifically on AML/CFT. These projects include assisting with the drafting and/or review of policies and procedures, training, review of processes, GAP analysis, Customer Risk Assessments and Business Risk Assessments. Deborah also lectures on AML/CFT and participates in training events and panel discussions.
Keith Tabone Jacono, Assistant Manager, Risk Consulting Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
Keith obtained a Master of Arts in International Affairs with a focus on Financial Intelligence and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) including International Sanctions regimes, and has over 4 years of experience within Anti-Money Laundering (AML) teams.
Within his role at KPMG, Keith assists local and foreign companies in the testing of their AML/CFT related policies, procedures and controls. Prior to joining KPMG, Keith has worked as a Financial Crime Analyst with one of the largest online gaming operators, working with teams in the UK, Europe, and Malta across a number of brands and has also worked at a local bank. Keith has worked on updating policies and procedures in line with changing AML Directives, improving repeatability and auditability of AML team workflows and processes, developing frameworks for performing remediation actions, and lead automation projects for AML teams while coordinating with internal and external teams. Other responsibilities included, replying to requests for information, sanctions and adverse media screening, process gap identification and remediation, and collating MIS information.
Keith has obtained internationally recognised AML/CFT certifications in betting and gambling, and compliance in financial services, namely, ICA International Advanced Certificate in Anti Money Laundering, and ICA Specialist Certificate in Money Laundering Risk in Betting and Gaming, as well as a Compliance in Financial Services and MLRO Professional Certificate from LEAD Training Services, Malta. He is also trained in internet investigative skills and open-source investigations.
He specialises in SAR/STR investigations and reporting in the gambling and banking industries, sanctions and adverse media screening, reviews of AML policies and procedures in line with local legislation and EU directives, and leading automation processes within AML teams.
Ma. May Casimiro, Assistant Manager, Risk Consulting Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
May is an accountant by profession and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy, from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. In 2016, she obtained a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License in the Philippines.
She joined KPMG Malta in July 2022 as an Assistant Manager in the Firm’s Risk Consulting Advisory practice. Within her role at KPMG Malta, May works extensively in the areas of Anti-Money Laundering Compliance, particularly assisting local and foreign companies in the review of their AML/CFT-related policies, procedures, and testing of their controls. She was involved in several projects including AML internal audit engagements as well as CDD review and remediation projects.
Prior to joining KPMG Malta, she was an Assistant Manager in KPMG Philippines’ Risk Consulting Advisory Group where she worked on a number of AML-related assignments such as AML/CFT compliance assessments, AML remediation projects, institutional ML/TF risk assessments and transaction monitoring system reviews. As part of her managerial role in KPMG Philippines, May was in charge of undertaking internal risk management and client engagement management procedures including client acceptance, continuance and engagement procedures. She has also assisted the Engagement Partners in business development initiatives covering preparation of proposals, review of pre-engagement activities and contracting with prospective clients.
Lindza Julao, Advisor, Risk Consulting Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
Lindza holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Colegio De San Juan de Letran and Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines. In 2018, she earned her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and in 2023, she obtained her Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) certification. She joined KPMG Malta in April 2024 as an Advisor in the firm’s Risk Consulting Advisory practice, specializing in Anti-Money Laundering (AML) services. Before joining KPMG Malta, she accumulated five years of combined audit and advisory experience across various financial and non-financial institutions.
Prior to joining KPMG Malta, she was an AML Compliance Officer of a FinTech Company where she was directly exposed in various AML operations including reporting of suspicious transactions and covered transactions to the AML regulator, supporting name screening, reviewing CDD/EDD procedures of business units, conducting transaction monitoring and facilitating basic AML training sessions to the employees within the company.
Further, Lindza also worked as a senior AML consultant in one of the Big Four audit firms in the Philippines where she worked on multiple engagements including benchmarking analysis, drafting of AML policies and procedures, remediation projects, and loan review projects. During her stint in the Big Four audit firms, she also worked within the audit department, focusing on statutory audit of a credit card company, insurance and microinsurance companies, where she assisted in performing interim and year-end substantive procedures and finalising financial statement balances.
Katrina Vella, Advisor, Risk Consulting Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
Katrina is an accountant by profession, and holds a Master’s in Accountancy, completed in 2023, and a Bachelors of Commerce in Accounting and Marketing completed in 2021 from the University of Malta.
In 2021, Katrina transitioned to the Deal Advisory Team through an internship programme, which was then followed by a full-time position following the successful completion of her studies. In November 2023, Katrina was seconded to the Risk Consulting Department, where she worked on an AML remediation project. As of March 2024, she transitioned fully as a member of Risk Consulting.
Katrina has experience in Remediation Projects globally. Through these projects, her responsibilities include conducting comprehensive AML gap analyses, identifying discrepancies between current practices and regulatory requirements, and performing in-depth Customer Due Diligence (CDD) reviews to ensure compliance with AML regulations and mitigate financial crime risks.