FIC Notice: Accountable Institutions Must Check goAML Message Board Daily

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The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has sent out a Notice reminding all accountable institutions, including accounting practices, to check the goAML message board daily. This secure platform is FIC’s main communication tool for sending crucial updates, instructions, and compliance information related to anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CFT), and proliferation financing (CPF).

Why This is Important

• The message board is not just for general notices, some alerts are targeted to your firm specifically.

• Missing a message could mean missing deadlines, risking non-compliance penalties or audits.

• Messages could relate to anything from suspicious transaction follow-ups to regulatory changes.

What You Can Do on the Message Board

The goAML message board works like a secure inbox and offers several useful features:

• Read, write, and reply to FIC messages.

• Attach documents (e.g., supporting documents or reports).

• Categorise messages by type:

  • DIR – Direct messages from the FIC Director

  • FIAD – Financial Investigations & Analysis

  • CMSD – Compliance Monitoring & Supervision

  • SAD – Strategic Analysis

  • LPED – Legal, Policy & Enforcement

  • General – Non-specific updates or announcements

• Organise messages into folders, mark as read/unread, and archive important communications.

• Set message reminders to follow up or act on important communications.

• Search functionality to quickly find past messages by keyword or date range.

Practical Tips

1. Assign a compliance contact in your firm to check the message board daily. How to Check:

   • Go to www.fic.gov.za

   • Log into the FIC Reporting Portal – PRODUCTION

   • Click Message Board on the menu bar

2. Respond quickly to any FIC instruction, especially those involving STRs (suspicious transaction reports) or compliance checks.

3. Keep login details secure, but accessible for authorised staff.

4. Reset forgotten passwords easily using the "Forgot Password?" function on the FIC site.

5. Use the message categories wisely when contacting the FIC — this ensures your query reaches the right department.

For full step-by-step help, consult the User Guide on Accessing the goAML Message Board.