Head of SOX and Internal Controls

About the role

In this role, you will be responsible for owning and defining the SOX Business Controls Framework at Coinbase. You will lead the SOX program, ensuring it aligns with business activities and regulatory expectations while collaborating with various teams across the organization.

Success in this position means effectively managing SOX risk assessments and driving continuous improvement in control processes. You will also serve as a liaison with internal and external auditors and be expected to communicate updates to senior leadership regularly.

The annual base salary for this position is set at $216,300.

Who this role suits

• A candidate who thrives in high-pressure environments and is passionate about the mission of increasing economic freedom.
• Someone who enjoys collaborating with senior leaders and influencing cross-functional initiatives.
• A person who is proactive about seeking feedback and is committed to continuous improvement.
• An individual with a strategic mindset and the ability to navigate ambiguity while building effective teams.

From the employer

What you’ll be doing (ie. job duties):

• Own the SOX Business Controls Framework
• Define and maintain the enterprise SOX business process control framework, including scoping, risk assessment, control design standards, and documentation requirements.
• Ensure alignment of the SOX program with evolving business activities, new products, system changes, and external regulatory expectations.
• Lead End‑to‑End SOX Program for Business Processes.
• Oversee annual SOX risk assessment, scoping, and materiality determinations for business processes.
• Lead the design and implementation of key and non‑key business controls, including manual, automated, and IT‑dependent controls.
• Drive timely remediation of control deficiencies, including the design and implementation of sustainable corrective actions.
• Partner Across Finance, Operations, and Technology
• Collaborate with Controllership, FP&A, Tax, Treasury, Operations, Compliance, Legal, and Engineering to embed effective controls into end‑to‑end processes (order‑to‑cash, procure‑to‑pay, record‑to‑report, revenue, digital asset flows, etc.).
• Influence product and system design to "build in" controls and auditability from the outset, minimizing manual workarounds.
• Coordinate with Internal and External Auditors
• Serve as the primary business controls liaison with Internal Audit and external auditors for SOX business process testing, walkthroughs, and evidence requests. Align on testing strategies, reliance on management testing, and expectations for control operation and documentation.
• Drive Continuous Improvement and Automation
• Identify opportunities to streamline, standardize, and automate controls, reducing operational friction while maintaining control effectiveness. Champion data‑driven monitoring and analytics to enhance control precision and early‑issue detection.
• Leadership, Governance, and Communication
• Provide regular updates on SOX status, key risks, and remediation progress to senior leadership (e.g., CAO, CFO, Audit Committee support). Establish governance forums and routines for control owners and process owners, including training, playbooks, and guidance. Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing SOX business controls team (and/or influence a matrixed virtual team across the organization).

What we look for in you (ie. job requirements):

• 13+ years of progressive experience in SOX, internal controls, internal audit, or risk management, with significant exposure to public company environments.
• Strong technical understanding of SOX 404, PCAOB standards, COSO framework, and best practices for business process control design and testing.
• Demonstrated experience leading large‑scale SOX or controls programs and managing complex cross‑functional initiatives.
• Proven ability to work effectively with senior leaders (CFO, CAO, Controller, Head of Internal Audit, business and product leaders) and to influence without direct authority.
• Deep experience with core finance and operational processes (e.g., revenue recognition, financial reporting, procurement, disbursements, payroll, digital asset movement and safeguarding, etc.).
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex control concepts into clear, actionable guidance for non‑experts.
• Professional certification such as CPA, CA, CIA, CISA, or CRMA.
• Experience in high‑growth, technology‑driven or financial services / crypto / fintech companies.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and subledgers, workflow tools, and control automation technologies (e.g., RPA, data analytics, continuous control monitoring).
• Experience managing or implementing SOX in multi‑jurisdictional or multi‑entity global environments.
• Leadership Competencies
• Strategic mindset: Ability to design a long‑term SOX and controls roadmap that scales with the business.
• Operational excellence: Drives disciplined execution, clear accountability, and measurable outcomes.
• Change leadership: Comfortable operating in ambiguity, leading change, and building new capabilities.
• Talent builder: Attracts, develops, and retains high‑performing controls and risk talent.

Requirements:

• Demonstrates the ability to responsibly use generative AI tools and copilots (e.g., LibreChat, Gemini, Glean) in daily workflows, continuously learn as tools evolve, and apply human‑in‑the‑loop practices to deliver business‑ready outputs and drive measurable improvements in efficiency, cost, and quality.

Position ID: (P76709) Pay Transparency Notice: The target annual base salary for this position can range as detailed below. Total compensation may also include equity and bonus eligibility and benefits (including medical, dental, and vision). Annual base salary range (excluding equity and bonus): $216,300—$216,300 CAD.