Which aspect does a limited-scope AML audit focus on?

A limited-scope AML audit is designed to concentrate on a specific area within the broader Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance program rather than assessing the entire program in its entirety. This type of audit is particularly useful when an organization wants to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of a particular component, such as customer due diligence processes, transaction monitoring systems, or reporting procedures.

By focusing on one specific aspect, the audit can provide in-depth insights and recommendations for improvement in that area without being diluted by the broader context of the entire compliance program. This targeted approach allows organizations to allocate resources more effectively, ensuring that they address high-risk components of their AML practices while also being more economical in terms of time and cost.

In contrast, an audit that encompasses the entire AML compliance program would require significantly more resources and time, making it unsuitable for situations where only a specific function or process needs to be evaluated. Similarly, limiting the scope to only governance and risk assessment or solely evaluating the overall effectiveness of AML controls does not capture the comprehensive benefit that a targeted look at a specific component provides.