Earlier this year, we published a guide explaining what the upcoming Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing reforms mean for Australian law firms. If you missed it, you can read it here. With AML obligations expanding, law firms will need practical systems to manage client due diligence, risk assessments, and record keeping.
Today, we are introducing new AML compliance features in Smokeball designed to make that process easier.
Rather than adding another manual compliance task to your day, these updates bring AML workflows directly into Smokeball - the legal practice management system you already use.
You can watch our live demonstration of the new features here (from 7:28).
Built to reduce admin and compliance risk
Smokeball’s AML enhancements help law firms prepare for the new legislation by bringing risk assessment, verification, billing, and reporting into a single workflow.
Through our enhanced integration with InfoTrack, firms can run AML checks, track risk assessments, and maintain compliance records without leaving Smokeball. The result is less manual work, clearer visibility of client risk, and better audit-ready documentation.
Automated AML risk tracking
Understanding a client’s risk profile is central to AML compliance. Smokeball now makes this easy to track.
Each contact within Smokeball now displays an AML risk assessment, including:
- Incomplete
- Pending
- Low risk
- Medium risk
- High risk
When a risk assessment is ordered through InfoTrack, the results automatically populate back into the InfoTrack AML/CTF Compliance Centre, a new tab now available in Smokeball. This removes the need to manually record outcomes or track risk levels across different systems. Firms can review the information, assess the risk, and decide whether to proceed with the engagement.
The new AML Compliance Centre also provides a single view of all risk assessments across the firm, helping teams quickly see which clients require attention.
One-click AML checks and automated cost recovery
Running AML checks should not add administrative overhead. With Smokeball, AML checks can now be ordered directly via our one-click integration with InfoTrack.
Once the check is submitted, Smokeball automatically creates a disbursement on the matter so the cost can be recovered from the client. This ensures compliance costs are captured consistently without additional data entry.
Comprehensive AML data capture
AML compliance requires firms to maintain specific information about their clients and their matters. Smokeball now includes dedicated AML fields to help firms capture and maintain this information consistently, including:
- Risk assessment
- Politically Exposed Person (PEP) status
- Source of wealth and source of funds
- Nature and purpose of the business relationship
- Client Due Diligence type
- Financial sanctions status
- Additional fields based on Execution Type, if relevant
These structured fields make it easier to maintain accurate records and produce compliance documentation when required.
New AML precedents available in the Smokeball Marketplace
To support firms with documentation requirements, Smokeball Marketplace now includes 16 new AML and CTF precedents from Precedents Online.
These precedents are designed to help firms quickly generate the documentation needed for AML processes and compliance records.
They also include automation that pre-populates information from the client, helping reduce manual entry and keeping documents consistent with the firm’s recorded AML data.
Comprehensive AML reporting
Smokeball now includes new AML reporting capabilities that pull together client details and AML-related data into structured reports.
This makes it easier for firms to maintain audit-ready documentation and demonstrate compliance if regulators request information.
Upcoming AML Enhancements
We are continuing to expand AML capabilities within Smokeball. Additional enhancements are already in development.
Automatic risk status updates
Once an InfoTrack risk assessment is completed, the contact card will automatically update to display the client’s Low, Medium, or High-risk rating.
Expanded AML reporting
Additional reporting options will allow firms to incorporate data from fields in the Execution options tab, giving compliance teams greater visibility across AML-related activity.
Preparing your firm for AML compliance
With these new features, Smokeball helps firms bring AML compliance into existing workflows so lawyers can manage risk, maintain documentation, and help stay compliant with regulatory changes.
Ready to learn more?
Learn more about the reforms and what they mean for your firm on our blog: What Australian law firms need to know about the AML compliance reforms
Get in touch with the team at Smokeball: https://www.smokeball.com.au/contact-us
Read the AML support hub article: Changes to Smokeball in response to the AML/CTF Tranche 2 obligations
AML Compliance FAQs
What are the new AML compliance requirements for Australian law firms?
Australia is expanding its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing obligations to cover more professional services, including legal services. Law firms may be required to conduct client due diligence, assess risk, verify identities, and maintain records that demonstrate compliance with AML regulations.
You can learn more about the reforms in our earlier guide.
How does Smokeball help law firms manage AML compliance?
Smokeball brings key AML workflows directly into your practice management system. Law firms can order AML checks via our integration with InfoTrack, track risk assessments, capture required client information, and generate compliance reports without leaving Smokeball.
How are AML checks performed in Smokeball?
AML checks can be ordered directly from Smokeball via our one-click integration with InfoTrack. Once the check is submitted, the results populate back into Smokeball’s AML compliance centre.
Can law firms recover the cost of AML checks from clients?
Yes. When an AML check is ordered through Smokeball, a disbursement is automatically created on the matter. This ensures the cost can be passed through to the client without additional billing administration.
Will Smokeball support AML reporting and documentation?
Yes. Smokeball includes reporting capabilities that pull together client information and AML data into structured reports.
