Compliance officers make sure companies and governing bodies stay in line with internal policies and regulatory requirements. In the financial industry, these positions are particularly in demand as the government steps up its enforcement of anti-money laundering laws. Aside from their sizable presence on Wall Street and within the federal government, compliance officers work in a broad range of industries, including health care, telecommunications and oil and gas extraction. Due to the growing maze of laws, regulations, licensing and permits, there is an increase in need of compliance officers.

Duties may include identifying the risks an organization faces, designing or implementing controls to mitigate those risks and reporting the effectiveness of the controls. Compliance officers may work for the organizations they’re reviewing or for external agencies or companies contracted to do compliance work.

Working environments can vary greatly, from permit work and document review in office settings to off-site fieldwork in outdoor and industrial plant settings. Because of the diversity of employer types and needs, compliance officers often require extensive specialized education and training. For example, environment compliance officers may need substantial scientific knowledge to perform sophisticated tests that measure the environmental impacts of airborne and waterborne chemical releases.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.6% employment growth for compliance officers between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 17,200 jobs should open up.

Most compliance officers have at least a bachelor’s degree, which may be in a field such as accounting, business or finance. Specific job requirements vary greatly, and some positions may require certification and regular retraining in the business and industry in which the person works. "The most important skills include leadership, writing, public speaking, ethical decision-making, communications and training and instructional design," says Keith Darcy, executive director of the Ethics & Compliance Officers Association. "They should also possess a high degree of courage and integrity due to the confidential nature of the work."