Workshop Agenda
ACFCS · VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
The Write Stuff 2.0
Leading, Reviewing, and Defending SAR Programs
Build SAR programs that hold up under scrutiny.
December 3, 2026 · Virtual
About the event
The Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists (ACFCS) presents The Write Stuff 2.0, a 3.5-hour interactive workshop for the people who lead, oversee, and review Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) programs.
Go beyond writing a single SAR and learn how to deliver consistent, high-quality filings across an entire team. Through expert guidance, real-world case studies, and hands-on activities, you'll build a quality rubric, coach writers toward stronger narratives, put FinCEN alerts and regulatory updates into practice, and prepare your program for audits and exams with confidence.
What you'll learn
SAR Quality RubricsCoaching SAR WritersFinCEN Alerts and AdvisoriesNo-File and Continuing Activity DecisionsRoot Cause AnalysisAudit and Exam Readiness
Register Now $125 for members. Registration closes December 1.
Capstone: Mock SAR Review CommitteeThursday, Dec 3 · 1:50 PM ET
3.5hours
11:00 AM – 2:30 PM ET
5
Focused learning modules
1
Hands-on capstone activity
Live
Interactive virtual session with Q&A
Who should attend
Built for leaders of SAR programs
This workshop is for anyone who oversees, supports, or reviews SAR filing and wants their program to hold up under scrutiny.
Whether you're managing a team of analysts, running quality assurance, or preparing for your next exam, you'll leave with practical tools to raise the standard of every filing. The content focuses on the U.S. regulatory framework, but most of the material, exercises, and best practices apply to professionals in other jurisdictions. Regulators who review or use SARs will also benefit from seeing the processes and decisions behind their creation.
Relevant roles include
- AML Team Leads
- Fraud Team Leads
- AML Managers and Compliance Officers
- Fraud Department Managers
- Quality Assurance and Audit
- Regulatory Examiners
01
11:00 – 11:10 AM ET
MODULE 01
Brief Refresher: SAR Fundamentals
A SAR stats pop quiz and icebreaker, plus a quick look at the purpose of SARs, how law enforcement uses them, and why knowing your audience matters.
02
11:10 AM – 12:00 PM ET
MODULE 02
The Leader's Lens: Creating Quality SARs at Scale
Build a SAR quality rubric that goes beyond spell-check, coach writers toward better narratives, make review and sampling decisions, and avoid common oversight mistakes. Followed by a 10-minute break.
03
12:10 – 12:40 PM ET
MODULE 03
Grey Zones: Decisioning and Documentation
What it takes to support strong no-file decisions, how to apply new guidance on no-SAR and continuing activity, and how to keep filing decisions consistent across your team.
04
12:40 – 1:20 PM ET
MODULE 04
Regs and Legs: Operationalizing Regulatory Change
Create and improve change-management workflows, then work through case studies on 314(b) information sharing, SAR confidentiality, and program effectiveness expectations.
05
1:20 – 1:50 PM ET
MODULE 05
Audit and Exam Readiness
Review the most common regulatory findings for SAR programs, use root cause analysis to respond, and build programs that surface issues before a finding does.
Capstone Activity & Q&A | 1:50 – 2:30 PM ET Hands-on Mock SAR Review Committee activity, followed by open Q&A and discussion
Register
Choose how you'll join The Write Stuff 2.0
ACFCS members save $105. Not a member yet? Bundle the workshop with a one-year membership.
Best price
Already a member
ACFCS Members
$125USD
- Full 3.5-hour live workshop
- Mock SAR Review Committee capstone
- Live Q&A with the instructors
Not a member
Workshop Only
$230USD
- Full 3.5-hour live workshop
- Mock SAR Review Committee capstone
- Live Q&A with the instructors
New to ACFCS
Workshop + 1 Year Membership
$405USD
- Full 3.5-hour live workshop
- Mock SAR Review Committee capstone
- Live Q&A with the instructors
- 12 months of ACFCS membership
Government professionals
Workshop + 1 Year Government Membership
$330USD
- Full 3.5-hour live workshop
- Mock SAR Review Committee capstone
- Live Q&A with the instructors
- 12 months of government membership
Registering a group? See the FAQ or contact our team.
