SAR Writing Fundamentals:
The Write Stuff

A 3.5 hour workshop on SAR writing and fundamentals

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    A Virtual Workshop

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    February 12, 2026 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM ET

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About the event

This 3.5-hour introductory workshop is designed to help new financial crime professionals develop a solid foundation in Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) writing.

This course breaks down the core components of a well-structured SAR and provides the tools you need to start writing with clarity and confidence.

Whether you're just entering a compliance role or transitioning into financial crime investigations, this hands-on session will guide you through the basics, from identifying key elements of a report to drafting straightforward narratives that meet regulatory expectations.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Define the purpose and regulatory role of a SAR within the broader financial crime landscape
  • Identify the key components of a SAR, including subject information, suspicious activity details, and narrative
  • Use the “5 W’s” framework to organize information clearly and completely
  • Write simple, factual SAR narratives that avoid speculation and jargon
  • Recognize common red flags and typologies typically reported in SARs
  • Follow basic best practices for summarizing transactions and avoiding common pitfalls in SAR writing

Workshop Structure

SAR Fundamentals

Effective SAR Writing

Investigative Best Practices

Hands-on Excercise: SAR Narrative Review

Who should attend

Anyone with a role in writing SARs, or supporting SAR filing, will benefit from this workshop. While the content is focused on the U.S. regulatory framework for reporting, most of the material, exercises and best practices will be applicable to professionals in other jurisdictions. In addition, law enforcement agents who use SARs will also benefit from learning the process and procedures that goes into their creation. Example roles include:

  • AML analysts and investigators
  • Fraud analysts and investigators
  • AML team leaders
  • Fraud team leaders
  • Federal, state and local law enforcement
Woman writing at a desk with digital graphics in the background.

Workshop Pricing


Please note: A recording of this event will not be available. This is to encourage open dialogue and ensure participants feel comfortable speaking freely during the session.

Workshop Only

SAR Writing Workshop (Member)

$125 USD

Registration Closes February 11, 2025

SAR Writing Workshop (Non-Member)

$230 USD

Registration Closes February 11, 2025

Workshop + 1 year Membership Bundle

SAR Writing Workshop + 1 Year Membership

$405 USD

Registration Closes February 11, 2025

SAR Writing Workshop + 1 Year Government Membership

$330 USD

Registration Closes February 11, 2025

Agenda

February 12, 2026 | 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM ET

SAR Fundamentals

Topics Covered:

Purpose of SARs in financial investigations
Regulatory requirements (BSA, FinCEN, FATF guidelines)
How law enforcement uses SARs in investigations

Effective SAR Writing

Topics Covered:

Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How (5Ws + H)
Structuring SAR narratives for clarity and impact
Avoiding vague language and unnecessary details
Common mistakes that weaken SAR effectiveness

Investigation Best Practices

Topics Covered:

Using factual, objective, and chronological storytelling
Aligning narratives with transaction records
Key phrases and keywords for law enforcement readability
Red flags for money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes

Hands-On Exercise: SAR Narrative Review

Activity:

Participants receive a financial crime case scenarios.
Review SAR narratives based on the provided data.
Peer review session with feedback from the instructor.

Q&A & Closing Remarks

Topics Covered:

Recap of SAR writing best practices
Additional SAR resources and compliance tool
Open Q&A Session

Meet Your Instructors

John Tobon

Adjunct Professor / Former HSI

After 31 years of distinguished service, Mr. Tobon retired from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as Assistant Director. In this position he led HSI’s global strategy targeting Transnational Organized Crime. Mr. Tobon is renowned for his expertise in money laundering and financial crime, often contributing analyses to national and international media.

Mr. Tobon is also known for his exceptional ability to foster collaboration between government agencies and private industry partners, driving successful joint initiatives. His deep understanding of both sectors allows him to bridge gaps, aligning goals and creating mutually beneficial solutions. He has consistently facilitated open communication; building trust and ensuring all stakeholders are aligned in achieving common objectives.

Through his collaborative approach, Mr. Tobon has helped streamline efforts, optimize resources, and maximize impact across a variety of complex projects, including serving as a Senior Advisor to FinCEN during the implementation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 and the Corporate Transparency Act. He has been instrumental in shaping international anti-money laundering policy through his work as part of U.S. delegations to multi-national bodies, such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and regularly sharing his expertise at global conferences and training sessions.

Mr. Tobon remains actively engaged in the fight against financial crime through his work as a consultant and as an Adjunct Professor at Florida International University’s School of International and Public Affairs, where he teaches on Global Financial Crimes.

He holds a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the City University of New York (CUNY), John Jay College of Criminal Justice, is a Certified Professional Coach, and is a native Spanish speaker.

 

FIU Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs

Ruth Kruse

BSA Officer VP

Ruth Kruse is the BSA Officer VP for Southwest Heritage Bank which is a commercial bank located in Arizona and New Mexico. Ruth has been with Southwest Heritage Bank for three years. Ruth obtained their CFCS certification in 2022 and their CAMS in 2024. Ruth has been in the banking world for over twenty years, starting in retail banking as a teller and moving into management with an emphasis on compliance. Ten years ago, Ruth transitioned into compliance software and conducted optimizations for clients using the BSA monitoring software. Ruth would also work as an advisor to the banks using the software to help manage the alert, case, SAR process.

 

Southwest Heritage Bank

Meet Your Hosts

Brian Svoboda-Kindle

SVP Product and Programming

As SVP of Product and Programming for ACFCS, Brian oversees the development and delivery of training content to the association’s global community of financial crime professionals, including certification programs, live and online training events, and online courses. He also assisted in the construction of the Certified Financial Crime Specialist (CFCS) examination, and collaborates with a group of global financial crime experts to maintain and update the credential on an ongoing basis. Previously, he served as the Executive Director, and the association’s Editorial Director.

Before joining ACFCS, he conducted research and advocacy work on public policy issues for national and regional non-profit organizations, and was a freelance journalist. He is a graduate of Duke University.

ACFCS

Cheyenne Vyska

Sr Training Manager

Cheyenne Vyska is a Senior Training Manager at the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists (ACFCS), where she has been advancing financial crime prevention education since 2022.

Cheyenne brings specialized expertise in investigations, KYC and onboarding, cryptocurrency, and international money transfer compliance. Prior to her current role, Cheyenne worked as an Industry Onboarding Analyst at Coinbase, where she helped integrate new business users into the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

Her background also includes AML Compliance positions at WorldRemit and Promontory Financial Group (an IBM Company), where she developed strong skills in regulatory compliance and financial crime detection.

ACFCS

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration

How do I register?

Purchase your seat(s) above!

Following your purchase, a confirmation email will be sent within 1-2 business days. The confirmination email will include, among other details, the Zoom registration link. Please be on the look out!

Can we register as a group?

For groups of 10 or more please reach out for more information on group rates: Contact Us Here

Can I cancel my registration?

Registrations are non-refundable per the refund policy below.

E-learning services are intangible goods. As such, they are impossible to return once accessed, and we cannot provide any refunds for purchased e-learning products. Refunds will only be provided in instances where we are unable to provide you with the e-learning package that you purchased from us. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions to learn more.

If you have extenuating circumstances, please contact customer service at customerservice@acfcs.org.

When Should I register?

Registration closes the day prior to the workshop. For the best user experience, we recommend registering at least 2 days prior to the workshop to allow time to complete any pre-work and your registration through Zoom.

Access

How do I access the virtual workshop?

This Workshop is hosted on Zoom.

  • The confirmation email will contain the Zoom registration link.
  • Please ensure you register through Zoom.
  • Once you register through Zoom, you will be sent a confirmation email from Zoom with your unique link and a calendar appointment.
  • On the day of the event, click on your link to join the event contained within the calendar appointment or your Zoom confirmation email (Please check your "other/spam" folder if you cannot find the confirmation email in your inbox.
  • Cameras and mics will be on so be sure you are camera ready or please feel free to turn off your camera.

What if I lose my login credentials?

Please contact our support team at customerservice@acfcs.org. Our team will resend you the Zoom confirmation email with your unique link to join the workshop.

Technical Requirements

What are the System Requirements?

Operating System: Windows 10/11, macOS 10.13+, Linux, Chrome OS, iOS, or Android
Browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge (latest versions recommended)
Internet Connection: Minimum 1.5 Mbps upload/download speed (3+ Mbps recommended)
Hardware: Webcam and microphone (built-in or external)

Will I need to download any software?

Software Requirements

No additional software download required for browser access

Optional: Zoom App Installation & Setup

  • Download the Zoom client from zoom.us/download before the workshop
  • Test your setup at zoom.us/test
  • Create a free Zoom account if you don't already have one
  • Ensure your Zoom client is updated to the latest version

I am having difficulties with Zoom, what do I do?

Troubleshooting

  • If audio/video issues occur, try refreshing your browser or restarting the Zoom client
  • Disable VPN connections which may interfere with video streaming
  • Close unused applications to improve performance
  • Switch to a wired ethernet connection if WiFi is unstable
  • If completely disconnected, rejoin using the same link

Will I need audio / video capabilities?

Yes! This workshop is interactive, please come prepared to be on camera and on mic!

Audio/Video Requirements

  • Webcam or built-in camera for video meetings
  • Microphone (built-in or external)
  • Speakers or headphones
  • Recommended: Headset with microphone for best audio quality

During the Workshop?

What interactive features are available during the workshop?

Webinar Interaction

Q&A Panel: Submit questions to presenters anytime during the session
Chat: Send messages to hosts, panelists, or other attendees
Polls: Participate in interactive polls launched by the host
Raise Hand: Virtually raise your hand to be recognized
Reactions: Use emoji reactions to provide non-verbal feedback

What if I experience technical difficulties during the event?

Troubleshooting

  • If audio/video issues occur, try refreshing your browser or restarting the Zoom client
  • Disable VPN connections which may interfere with video streaming
  • Close unused applications to improve performance
  • Switch to a wired ethernet connection if WiFi is unstable
  • If completely disconnected, rejoin using the same link

If you need additional assistance, please contact customerservice@acfcs.org

Will a recording be available?

No. To facilitate the most open and actionable dialogues, workshops will not be recorded and will not be recorded or available for viewing on-demand.

Where do I find my Certificate of Participation?

Certificates of Participation will be provided via email following the completion of the workshop.

Additional Support

I am not based in the United States, is this Workshop still relevant to me?

While the content and examples will primarily focus on US best practices and standards, the core principles and strategies discussed may be applicable across many international contexts.

Where can I find help during the event?

Support is available through our help desk:
- Help desk email: customerservice@acfcs.org

Where do I find more information on CFCS?

Interested in getting certified? Find more information here: CFCS Certification Overview

Where do I find more information on Enterprise and Group pricing?

Interested in getting an Enterprise or Group Package? Find more information here for groups of 10 or more : Enterprise Solutions and Groups

Where is my certificate of participation?

Certificates will be provided via email following the completion of the workshop.

How do I get involved with ACFCS?

How do I become a speaker?

Interested in Speaking at an ACFCS event? Tell us more!
Complete a Speaker Interest Form Here!

How do I become an event sponsor?

Interested in Sponsoring a future ACFCS Event?

Check out our Sponsors page to learn more or fill out this form to get in touch.

How do I become a contributor?

State Your Case Podcast
Do you have an interesting financial crime case that you have worked on? Has it been adjudicated and is ready for prime time? Whether you are public or private sector we want to hear from you! Check out the State Your Case Podcast Interest Form here!

 

Want more learning?

Check out our upcoming events, webinars and eLearning opportunities!

What everyone is saying...

The CFCS tests the skills necessary to fight financial crime. It's comprehensive. Passing it should be considered a mark of high achievement, distinguishing qualified experts in this growing specialty area.

KENNETH E. BARDEN 

CFCS, Washington, DC

The exam tests one's ability to apply concepts in practical scenarios. Passing it can be a great asset for professionals in the converging disciplines of financial crime.

DANIEL DWAIN

CFCS, Chief Compliance Officer, Cidel Bank & Trust Inc. New York, NY

The Exam is far-reaching. I love that the questions are scenario based. I recommend it to anyone in the financial crime detection and prevention profession.

BECKI LAPORTE
CFCS, Principal - AML Strategy and Innovation, FinScan, Atlanta, GA

This certification comes at a very ripe time. Professionals can no longer get away with having siloed knowledge. Compliance is all-encompassing and enterprise-driven.

KATYA GOZIAS
CFCS, Los Angeles, CA

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