--- title: The cost of FICA non-compliance. Can your business afford it? | nCino KYC description: The penalties for FICA non-compliance could range from a public reprimand to a financial penalty or even jail time image: https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/Article%20Illustrations/The%20Cost%20of%20FICA%20Non-compliance.jpg --- [![Docfox is now nCino KYC](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/nCino-KYC-Top-Web-Banner-HS.png)](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/ncino-kyc-africa-a-vision-to-reinvent-the-future-of-fica-compliance) [![Ncino KYC Africa](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/ncino-theme-2025/images/ci/ncino-logo-color-invert-RGB.png?width=140&name=ncino-logo-color-invert-RGB.png "Ncino KYC Africa")](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/) - [Solutions](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/) - [Client Onboarding](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/customer-onboarding/) - [Watchlist Screening](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/watchlist-screening/) - [Risk Rating](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/risk-rating/) - 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[Contact](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/contact/) - [Knowledge Base](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dpopup%3Aopen%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6IjI1MDkyIiwidG9nZ2xlIjpmYWxzZX0%3D) [Sign In](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dpopup%3Aopen%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6IjE2NzI3IiwidG9nZ2xlIjpmYWxzZX0%3D) [Request a Demo](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/request-a-demo/) Jun 24, 2021 # The Cost of FICA Non-Compliance ![Images of non-compliance for Accountable Institutions](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/Article%20Illustrations/The%20Cost%20of%20FICA%20Non-compliance.jpg) SHARE   ``` The Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment Act 1 of 2017 (FICA) is worlds away from a simple add-on to your existing business procedures as it requires well thought out documented processes and procedures to a risk-based approach. ``` To become, and remain, [FICA](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/what-is-fica) compliant Accountable Institutions (AI’s) should build the FIC Act into their company’s strategy as well as normal business routine to avoid non-compliance. The penalties for non-compliance vary depending on the severity of the offence but can range from a public reprimand to a financial penalty or even jail time. These penalties apply not only to the company itself but may also apply to the executives or owners of a business as well as employees or individuals involved in dealings with a specific client, transaction or activity. ### FICA Non-Compliance Penalties The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) specifically states that non-compliance with the FIC Act could lead to: - A public reprimand. - A remediation directive. - The restriction or suspension of certain business activities. - Financial penalty of up to R10 million for a natural person or up to R50 million for a legal person. - For more serious offences, the maximum penalty increases to imprisonment for a period of up to 15 years or a fine of up to R100 million. As stated in the [FIC 2019/2020](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.fic.gov.za/Documents/FIC%2520annual%2520report_2019-20.pdf&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1624516150155000&usg=AOvVaw3QOSNj9PicUWalamyOEvqr) report, the FIC and supervisory bodies issued a total of 37 sanctions with a total financial penalty of R77 376 738.67. Even more recently, the Legal Practice council sent out a notice stating, “The FIC conducted 207 compliance Inspections and 9 compliance onsite reviews covering the period 1 April 2020 – 31 March 2021 to assess the level of compliance by legal practitioners supervised in terms of the MOU and FIC Act.4.” According to this notice, of the 207 inspections approximately 80% of the legal practitioners were found non-compliant. The Legal Practice Council pointed out that the most common non-compliance related to:  - Failure to register with the FIC. - Failure to have a Risk Management and Compliance Programme. - Failure to conduct Customer Due Diligence. - Failure to report. **With nCino KYC as your**[FICA compliance partner](https://docfox.co.za/)**, fulfilling your FICA requirements is simple and gives you peace of mind to confidently face a FIC inspection. Whether you need assistance in getting compliant fast or if you’re just not sure where to start, we can assist.**   [![Request a Demo](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/24906619/8ad8dd8f-6779-4e27-9d5c-9cf0ab365e9a.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/24906619/8ad8dd8f-6779-4e27-9d5c-9cf0ab365e9a)     ![Hawken McEwan](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/Hawken.png) ### About the author: ### Hawken McEwan Hawken has over 25 years’ experience in financial crime compliance, regulatory operations, banking operations, risk and change. Specialising in FICA and Anti-Money Laundering, Hawken holds a Masters from the Edinburgh University, the AMLCPrac(SA) designation, and is a Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist, Member of the Association of International Financial Crime Investigators and South African Board member for ACAMs ## Related Articles - ### [RMCP Compliance: What Directive 10, 12 and GN 7B Require](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/rmcp-compliance-what-directive-10-12-and-gn-7b-require) ![RMCP Compliance: What Directive 10, 12 and GN 7B Require](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/RMCP%20Compliance_%20What%20Directive%2010%2c%2012%20and%20GN%207B%20Require.jpg) - ### [Important FIC Regulatory Updates: Directive 10, Draft Directive 12 & Guidance Note 7B](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/fic-updates-directive-10-draft-directive-12-guidance-note-7b) ![Important FIC Regulatory Updates: Directive 10, Draft Directive 12 & Guidance Note 7B](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/Important%20FIC%20Regulatory%20Updates_%20Directive%2010%2c%20Draft%20Directive%2012%20%26%20Guidance%20Note%207B.jpg) - ### [What Are The Key Requirements That Need to be Met in Order to be FICA Compliant?](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/the-key-requirements-that-need-to-be-met-in-order-to-be-fica-compliant) ![What Are The Key Requirements That Need to be Met in Order to be FICA Compliant?](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/The%20Key%20Requirements%20That%20Need%20to%20be%20Met%20in%20Order%20to%20be%20FICA%20Compliant.jpg) - ### [What is the Complete list of Accountable Institutions Under FICA?](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/accountable-institutions-under-fica-complete-list-and-compliance-obligations) ![What is the Complete list of Accountable Institutions Under FICA?](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/nCino-KYC-Accountable-Institutions-Under-FICA-Complete-List-and-Compliance-Obligations-1.jpg) - ### [Everything You Need to Know About Ultimate Beneficial Owners \[Part 1\]](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ultimate-beneficial-owners) ![Everything You Need to Know About Ultimate Beneficial Owners \[Part 1\]](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/Business%20man%20looking%20through%20a%20filling%20cabinet%20with%20illustrated%20diagram%20of%20UBO%20structure.png) ![nCino Full colour Logo](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/nCino%20Full%20colour%20Logo.svg) Subscribe to our newsletter [Subscribe](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1EGe3layITCaXlgtYEX6fSwetu2j) - - - - ### Solutions - [Client Onboarding](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/customer-onboarding/) - [Watchlist](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/watchlist-screening/) - [Risk Rating](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/risk-rating/) - [Bank Account Verification](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/account-verification/) - [Compliance Services](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/compliance-services/) - [Training and Webinars](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/training-and-webinars/) ### Industries - [nCino for Banks](https://www.ncino.com/) - [High Value Goods Dealers](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/high-value-goods-dealers/) - [Law Firms](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/law-firms/) - [Real Estate Industry](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/real-estate-industry/) - [Stock Brokers](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/stock-brokerage/) - [Forex Traders](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/forex-traders/) - [Financial Service Providers](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/financial-advisors/) - [Credit and Lending](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/credit-and-lending/) - [Motor Vehicle Dealers](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/motor-vehicle-dealers/) - [Other Accountable Institutions](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/other-accountable-institutions/) ### Company - [About](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/about/) - [Press Releases](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/press/) - [Careers](https://www.ncino.com/our-company/careers) - [Contact](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/contact/) - [Partner with us](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/our-partners/) - [FICA FAQ's](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/fica-faqs/) ### Legal & Compliance - [Terms and Conditions](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/terms-and-conditions/) - [Privacy Statement](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/privacy-policy/) - [PAIA Manual](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/nCino-SA-PAIA-Manual-March-2025-2.pdf) - Cookie Settings © 2016 – 2026 nCino. 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