06 Jul
May 2022 Update
Welcome to our latest 2Shakes update. Borders are opening, NZ is working to get on with our new normal. We hope you, your family, friends and colleagues are too.
In this update we want to talk about a few things you would have seen in the news, some things that are likely to be in the news soon, and some cool updates we’ve been working on to help you.
- Russian sanctions and
- PEP/Sanctions checks
- AML updates
- Registered Bookkeepers
- Updates to our Biometric
- ID verifications
- 2Shakes is the leader of the pack!
Part of getting on with our new normal are that (some) conferences are back. We’ll be starting at the Small Business Accounting (SBA) Conference in Auckland on 22 May, with Bookkeepcon22 later in Christchurch in July. We are really looking forward to seeing you all in person again, and hope to see lots more conferences being added soon!
Russian Sanctions and PEP Checks
For it’s part, New Zealand passed the Russia Sanctions Act. The Act targets those who are linked to the war, or are of economic or strategic importance to Putin’s regime. It is now illegal for anyone in New Zealand to deal with a sanctioned individual, entity, asset, or service, with fines up to $1 million dollars or 7 years imprisonment for those breaking the law.
2Shakes PEP checks are always included with both Electronic and Biometric+Electronic Identity Verifications, as well as being available as standalone PEP checks with Manual ID verification. Since the Act, 2Shakes PEP checks have included the NZ list of sanctioned entities.
We have written a detailed Russian Sanctions Blog covering what you need to know and do now to stay on the right side of the law (and history). That includes PEP checks as part of Ongoing CDD, our Bulk spreadsheet to “PEP wash” all your clients if needed, updates to your AML Programme, and what to do if you get a possible hit.
Read more information on the Russia Sanctions Act and how 2Shakes helps here.
AML Updates
As well as the Russian Sanctions, there are a couple of other AML areas we are keeping an eye on for you.
AML Legislative Review
The Anti Money Laundering legislation is currently being reviewed by Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The consultation period has closed, and all submissions received have been summarised.
The review will conclude on 30 June 2022 with a report to the Minister of Justice about the Act’s performance since 2017, along with any recommended changes.
Those changes are potentially significant (for example, in the Accounting sector, invoicing and preparation of accounts are under consideration to tackle Trade Based Money Laundering) and it’s fair to say we are all keen to see and assess impacts
Read more on the legislative review on the MoJ website here.
CAANZ (et al) AML Exemption Application
In October 2018 CAANZ applied to the MoJ for a Ministerial Exemption from the AML/CFT Act for tax transfers performed by tax agents.
After initially declining the exemption, a decision CAANZ challenged, in November 2020 the MoJ said the Minister would remake the decision (pointing to a change from declining the original exemption).
As of November 2021 the MoJ has said there are delays drafting the legislative instrument to enact the exemption. Meanwhile, the DIA has said they will not take action against tax agents for carrying out tax transfers covered by the proposed exemption.
Registered Bookkeepers
Are you an IRD Registered Bookkeeper? Do you want to be?
We are putting together a helpful blog for anyone going through the process, including hints and tips to make the process as simple as possible for you.
If you have any feedback on the process or pro tips for smooth sailing, please drop us a line at support@2shakes.co.nz and we’ll make sure to include it in our blog 
.
2Tips
- Free 2Shakes Training environment
2Shakes offers you your own play pen training version of the software. Its fantastic if you want to try out how something works in a safe place.- Have a Training Account? Log On now
- Need a Training account? Sign Up now
- Free AML Training Videos
On the 2Shakes website there a lots of training videos & tutorials related to AML. If you watch a video or read an article related to AML then take a moment to record it. It can be as simple as a list on a spreadsheet. Then, so it’s easy to find, upload your training log to 2Shakes for storage under AML > AML Documents.
2Shakes Platform Updates
We are always working to improve, and make sure 2Shakes stays NZ’s favourite onboarding platform. Some recent updates include:
- Biometric ID Verification: More control and functionality to make it easier for you and you clients
- PEP report: Self-service PEP/Sanctions report when there’s a hit
- Lots of little improvements you won’t notice but will love anyway.
2Shakes customers will get full details of the updates in a separate email
.
2Shakes - Leader of the Pack!
It’s official, 2Shakes really is the Leader of the Pack (vroom
).
For those of you reminiscing on the Shangri-Las 1965 classic, we are actually referring to a new classic – the FTN Motion Streetdog eBike!
There are 10 Beta Streetdog bikes, all made in Wellington, and we are super-stoked to have #2 – of course!
As well as being practical and a work of art, the Streetdog is part of our strategy to reduce carbon emissions and help halt or reverse the Climate Crisis.
Along with the Streetdog, in our annual check on Earth Day (22 April), we saw that our software has helped customers avoid about 1,500 reams of paper, saving 75 trees – a figure that keeps rising.
2Tips
- Do PEP/Sanctions checks:
- They are included in 2Shakes Biometric and Electronic IDV
- Do them standalone with Manual IDV
- Use our Bulk spreadsheet to “PEP wash” all your clients
- Make business decisions with Carbon Impact in mind
- Our software can massively reduce your use of paper
- Remote client onboarding in 2Shakes is great during a pandemic, and helps reduce carbon emissions!
- Try switching your fleet to electric or hybrid.
As always, if there's anything we can help with please reach out to the support team at support@2shakes.co.nz or use our Contact page.
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