Due Diligence
Due Diligence Review Survey
A structured survey of onboarding evidence, client risk decisions and due diligence records that shows control discipline across KYC, KYB and beneficial ownership.
Overview
Due diligence records must be more than a collection of documents. They should show the logic of the risk decision, the evidence relied on, the approvals obtained and the monitoring trigger points that follow. This survey examines whether your CDD and EDD evidence meets that standard.
What we can review
- Client identity evidence and verification
- Corporate structure records and ownership charts
- Ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO) evidence
- Control and authority documentation
- KYC and KYB records completeness
- Client and matter risk ratings
- Jurisdiction and sector risk indicators
- Sanctions and PEP screening evidence
- Adverse-media review notes
- Source of funds and source of wealth indicators
- EDD approval and escalation records
- Ongoing monitoring triggers
- Retention and record consistency
Circumstances that prompt this work
Most engagements begin from one of the following positions rather than from a general review cycle.
- 01A transaction, investment or partnership requires independent verification of counterparty records.
- 02Onboarding files were completed at pace and need a structured back-review.
- 03Beneficial ownership is layered across jurisdictions and the chain has never been documented end to end.
- 04A counterparty or funder has asked what due diligence was actually performed.
- 05Legacy client files predate the firm’s current onboarding standard.
Deliverables
What you receive
- 01
File quality summary
Evidence-quality assessment across sample
- 02
Missing evidence list
Gaps mapped by file and evidence type
- 03
RAG-rated review schedule
Prioritised findings by risk level
- 04
Approval and escalation observations
Control-ownership observations
- 05
Control improvement recommendations
Practical procedure improvements
- 06
Remediation tracker
Action tracker with owners and deadlines
How a typical engagement runs
Stages are confirmed in writing before work begins and adjusted to the scope agreed.
- 01
Scope
Agreed subjects, verification depth, source expectations and reporting format.
- 02
Request
Document request covering identity, ownership, control and source-of-funds records.
- 03
Review
Record-by-record assessment against the agreed verification standard.
- 04
Report
Survey findings, evidence register and identified gaps with recommended next steps.
What stays on file afterwards
The point of the engagement is the record it leaves behind, so a later reviewer can follow the same trail.
- Evidence register listing each document reviewed and its source
- Ownership and control chain documented to the agreed depth
- Screening and adverse-media check records
- Gap schedule identifying missing or expired evidence
- Survey report suitable for file retention
Who it supports
- 01Law firms with client intake obligations
- 02Accountancy firms with onboarding requirements
- 03Trust and company service providers (TCSPs)
- 04Financial services compliance teams
- 05Onboarding and client intake teams
Engagement safeguards
BlackCores & Partners provides review and administrative support. The firm remains responsible for its own due diligence decisions and regulatory compliance.
Due diligence survey support reviews the presence, consistency and quality of evidence. It does not verify the truth of third-party documents beyond the agreed scope and does not guarantee onboarding approval by any bank, insurer, regulator or counterparty.
What we do not do
- We do not provide legal opinion on due diligence sufficiency.
- We do not provide investment recommendations.
- We do not guarantee counterparty or bank acceptance.
- We do not guarantee that third-party screening data is complete or accurate.
- We do not provide regulated financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
What files are reviewed in a Due Diligence Survey?
A survey may consider identity and ownership evidence, authority to act, KYC and KYB records, risk ratings, screening results, source-of-funds and source-of-wealth indicators, approvals and ongoing monitoring. The files and fields examined are agreed in writing and reflect the risk profile and purpose of the review.
What is the difference between CDD and EDD?
CDD is the standard, risk-based verification and monitoring evidence expected for a client or counterparty. EDD applies additional enquiries, corroboration, approvals and monitoring where higher-risk factors are present. The appropriate depth is risk-based and agreed for the engagement rather than set by a universal checklist.
Does the survey review every file?
Not necessarily. The evidence population and whether the work is performed on a sampling basis or a full-population basis are agreed in writing before the survey begins. This keeps the basis of any findings clear and proportionate to the purpose of the review.
Can the survey support onboarding or counterparty review?
It can provide an organised evidence and gap record to inform an onboarding or counterparty decision. The recipient makes its own decision; the survey documents evidence and observations and does not approve, accept or reject a relationship on the recipient’s behalf.
What does the final Due Diligence Survey Report contain?
The report may set out the evidence population, the agreed scope, observations, identified gaps, limitations and recommended actions. The final content depends on the files made available and the terms agreed, and is confirmed in the engagement letter.
Confidential scoping
Ready to start a due diligence survey?
Contact us to discuss scope, document requirements and deliverables. All engagements are confirmed in writing before work begins.