---
title: 'SOX Auditor - IT Controls Manager at Kraken'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/sox-auditor-it-controls-manager-kraken-united-states-9j0ds0nsjgk2'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# SOX Auditor - IT Controls Manager at Kraken

- **Company:** [Kraken](https://feeny.ai/companies/kraken)
- **Location:** United States
- **Compensation:** $83k–$167k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-06-10
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/kraken.com/59df8379-a9b3-4967-b64d-19b94e9d0cc4/application

**Skills:** IT General Controls (ITGC), SOX Compliance, COSO Framework, COBIT Framework, PCAOB Auditing Standards, Access Management, Change Management, System Operations, Data Analytics, AI-enabled workflows, Blockchain Infrastructure, Digital Asset Custody Systems, On-chain Transaction Processing, CI/CD Pipelines, GitLab, AWS, GCP, AuditBoard, Workiva, AI-assisted audit tools

> Lead the independent testing of IT general controls and IT application controls within the SOX program. Assess control effectiveness across access management, change management, and system operations while validating remediation of findings and engaging with engineering stakeholders.

## Job description

Building the Future of Open Finance

Payward - the parent company behind Kraken, NinjaTrader, Breakout, xStocks, Payward Services and CF Benchmarks - has spent the last 15 years building one of the most modern and globally accessible financial infrastructure platforms in the industry, built to advance an open, global financial system.

Before you apply, we encourage you to explore our [culture page](https://www.kraken.com/culture) to understand what drives us and how we work. The team Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the world's longest-standing crypto platforms, trusted by over 10 million individuals and institutions across the globe. It offers spot trading, margin, futures, staking, and OTC services, with products built for both individual investors and institutional clients.

Payward's Risk & Audit function operates as an Integrated Assurance organization, bringing together Internal Audit and Enterprise Risk Management under a unified risk oversight strategy. The function spans SOX Compliance, Enterprise Risk Management, and Internal Audit across multiple regulated entities and jurisdictions. The Audit team partners with co-sourced providers, maintains direct reporting lines to the Global and Local Audit Committee Chairs, and is building a technology-forward assurance capability at the forefront of crypto and financial innovation.

This role sits within Internal Audit and will lead the independent testing of IT general controls and IT application controls across the SOX program. You will assess whether controls over access management, change management, system operations, and application-level processes are designed and operating effectively, providing the assurance that the Audit Committee, external auditors, and regulators rely on.

The opportunity You will lead Internal Audit’s IT SOX controls testing program building the testing approach, workpapers, and institutional knowledge from the ground up. This is a hands-on role with real program ownership and you’ll be doing it at a crypto exchange — where the technology stack spans blockchain-native infrastructure, digital asset custody systems, on-chain and off-chain processing, and a pace of engineering change that most companies never encounter. The systems are complex, the deployments are frequent, and the controls are consequential. If you want an IT SOX role where the tech is genuinely interesting and the stakes are real, this is it.

Responsibilities span the following areas: ITGC SOX controls testing

- Lead the execution of independent testing of IT General Controls (ITGCs) across key control domains: access management, change management, and system operations.
- Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of IT controls across in-scope applications and infrastructure, including systems that support blockchain-native operations, digital asset custody, and crypto trading platforms. Document testing procedures and results to meet Internal Audit and external auditor quality standards.
- Identify new systems, applications, or process changes that emerge during testing and assess their SOX implications in coordination with the SOX Compliance team.
- Build and maintain testing programs, templates, and workpapers that create a repeatable, scalable foundation for IT SOX testing.
- Identify opportunities to leverage AI-enabled workflows and data analytics to improve testing coverage and efficiency across IT control domains.

Remediation validation & issue management

- Independently validate the remediation of open SOX findings, including material weaknesses and significant deficiencies, across ITGC control areas.
- Evaluate control deficiencies by performing root cause analysis and assessing the severity and pervasiveness of exceptions to inform deficiency classification.
- Assess whether management’s remediation actions are adequately designed and operating effectively before closing findings.
- Track remediation progress, escalate delays or gaps, and report status to Internal Audit leadership and the Audit Committee as required.
- Coordinate with the SOX Compliance team to ensure alignment on remediation expectations, timelines, and evidence requirements.

Stakeholder engagement & reporting

- Serve as a trusted Internal Audit point of contact for IT control owners across Engineering, Infrastructure, Security, and IT Operations. Bridge the gap between audit methodology and engineering culture — these teams speak a different language than accountants, and you need to be fluent in both.
- Contribute to Internal Audit reporting to the Audit Committee, external auditor, and senior leadership on IT SOX testing coverage, findings, and remediation status.
- Partner with the business process SOX tester and co-sourced resources to ensure coordinated testing coverage across the full SOX program.

## What you bring

- 8+ years of experience in IT audit, internal audit, external audit, or SOX compliance, with significant exposure to IT general controls testing.
- Experience in crypto, fintech, payments, or technology-intensive environments with complex, rapidly evolving infrastructure.
- CISA and CPA certifications required. Candidates with one certification who are actively pursuing the other will be considered.
- Strong knowledge of ITGC frameworks, SOX compliance requirements, COSO, COBIT, and PCAOB auditing standards as they apply to IT controls.
- Hands-on experience testing ITGCs across access management, change management, and system operations.
- Technical fluency with enterprise technology environments — you don’t need to be an engineer, but you need to understand how systems, databases, and deployment pipelines work to effectively test the controls around them.
- Understanding of how IT controls underpin the reliability of financial reporting — you can connect an ITGC failure to its downstream impact on business process controls and the financial statements.
- Experience working with or alongside external auditors (Big 4 preferred) on SOX engagements.
- Experience operating across multi-entity structures or multiple jurisdictions.
- Effective communicator who can translate technical IT audit findings for control owners, engineering teams, senior leadership, and external stakeholders.

Nice to haves

- Familiarity with blockchain infrastructure, digital asset custody systems, on-chain transaction processing, or crypto-native technology environments.
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines, GitLab or similar version control systems, cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP), and modern deployment practices.
- Prior experience building or scaling an IT SOX testing program in a growth-stage or first-year SOX company.
- Familiarity with audit management platforms such as AuditBoard or Workiva.
- Familiarity with AI-assisted audit tools and willingness to adopt emerging technologies.

Unless a specific application deadline is stated in the job posting, applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Please note, applicants are permitted to redact or remove information on their resume that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment on our team, assessing candidates in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Our commitment Payward is powered by people from around the world and we celebrate the diverse talents, backgrounds, contributions, and unique perspectives that everyone brings to the table. We hire based on merit, seeking out people with the right abilities, knowledge, and skills for the job. We encourage you to apply for roles where you don't fully meet the listed requirements, especially if you're passionate or knowledgeable about crypto.

We may ask candidates to complete job-related skills or work-style assessments as part of our hiring process. These assessments evaluate competencies relevant to the role and are applied consistently across candidates for similar positions. Results are considered alongside experience and interviews, and are not the sole basis for any employment decision.

As an equal opportunity employer, we don't tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind, whether based on race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, citizenship, religion, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Stay connected [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/krakenfx) [Learn on the Kraken Blog](https://blog.kraken.com/#:~:text=Enter%20your%20email%20address) [Connect on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kraken-exchange/)

[Candidate Privacy Notice](https://www.kraken.com/legal/candidate-privacy-notice)

## About Kraken

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Kraken is a global cryptocurrency exchange and technology platform that provides secure trading, custody, and financial services for retail and institutional clients.
- **Entity Type**: Private (last known valuation ~$10B as of 2023; multiple funding rounds from investors including Tribe Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, and others)
- **Headquarters**: San Francisco, California, USA (operates as a fully remote-first organization)
- **Founded**: 2011
- **Founders**: Jesse Powell (CEO)

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Cryptocurrency exchange, digital asset custody, and financial technology.
- Target customers: B2C (retail investors, professional traders) and B2B (institutions, family offices, hedge funds).
- Mission: "Accelerate the global adoption of crypto, so that everyone can achieve financial freedom and inclusion."

## Products & Services
- **Spot & Margin Trading**: Buy/sell 200+ cryptocurrencies with advanced order types and leverage.
- **Kraken Pro**: Professional-grade trading interface for active traders with low fees and deep liquidity.
- **Futures & Derivatives**: Regulated crypto derivatives trading (Kraken Futures) for institutional and qualified retail clients.
- **Kraken Staking**: Earn rewards by staking supported assets directly on the platform.
- **Kraken NFT Marketplace**: Buy, sell, and mint NFTs across multiple blockchains.
- **Kraken Bank (US)**: Wyoming-chartered Special Purpose Depository Institution (SPDI) offering custody and banking services for digital assets.
- **Kraken Wallet**: Self-custodial mobile wallet for managing crypto and NFTs.
- **Kraken Institutional**: Dedicated suite for institutions including OTC trading, custody, and prime brokerage.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed; last reported private valuation of approximately $10 billion in a 2023 secondary transaction (conflicting reports suggest a lower valuation in 2024 due to market conditions).
- **Key Metrics**: Over 10 million users globally; one of the longest-operating exchanges (since 2011); industry-first Proof of Reserves audit; $50+ billion in quarterly trading volume (estimated).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Tribe Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, Blockchain Capital, Fidelity, Human Capital, and others.
- **Growth Signals**: Grew from ~3,000 to over 4,000+ employees since 2020; entered new markets (e.g., stock and ETF trading in 2024); expanded into NFT marketplace and bank charter; consistently ranked among top trusted exchanges by security and transparency.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Security & Transparency**: Longest-running Proof of Reserves program; never suffered a major security breach; regulated in multiple jurisdictions (US, UK, EU, Canada).
- **Global Remote Culture**: Fully remote-first since inception, hiring top talent from 70+ countries without location constraints.
- **Crypto-Native**: Leadership deeply embedded in crypto ethos; products built for both beginners and advanced traders.
- **Regulatory Compliance**: Licensed in key markets and operates a US bank, giving it an edge as regulatory scrutiny increases.

## Strategic Focus
- **Expand Product Suite**: Moving beyond pure crypto into stocks, ETFs, and traditional finance integration (via Kraken Bank).
- **Institutional Growth**: Doubling down on prime brokerage, custody, and OTC services to capture institutional flows.
- **Global Licensing**: Securing regulatory approvals in more jurisdictions (e.g., EU MiCA, UK FCA) to serve local markets.
- **Self-Custody & DeFi**: Investing in wallet infrastructure and decentralized finance capabilities for user sovereignty.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Kraken describes itself as "remote-first, not remote-friendly." Asynchronous communication, radical transparency, and extreme ownership are core. Team members from 70+ countries.
- **Work Arrangement**: Fully remote globally; no headquarters attendance required. Flexible schedule with async workflows.
- **Compensation & Benefits**: Competitive salary regardless of location; option to be paid in crypto; equity grants; flexible PTO; wellness program (fitness coach, wellbeing apps); mental health coaching for employees and dependents; remote workstation setup bonus.
- **Hiring Process**: Structured, fully virtual process including CV screen, talent screen, role-specific interviews, and a practical case study. Emphasis on crypto conviction, self-starters, and collaborative humility.
- **Engineering Culture**: High ownership, autonomy, and impact. Decisions documented in writing; performance evaluated on output rather than hours. "Dogfooding" the product is encouraged.

## Sources
1. [Kraken Careers](https://www.kraken.com/careers)
2. [Kraken Job Listings (Ashby)](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/kraken.com)
3. [Kraken Culture Page](https://www.kraken.com/culture)
4. [The Kraken Employee Value Proposition - Kraken Blog](https://blog.kraken.com/news/the-kraken-employee-value-proposition)
5. [Remote isn’t a perk. It’s how Kraken operates. - Kraken Blog](https://blog.kraken.com/news/industry-news/remote-is-how-kraken-operates)

## Other roles at Kraken

- [Staff Engineer - Growth - Verifications](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-engineer-growth-verifications-kraken-brazil-c8430tyxnz99) — Brazil
- [Law Enforcement Production Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/law-enforcement-production-associate-kraken-canada-bg8ymy9k17j3) — Canada
- [Law Enforcement Production Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/law-enforcement-production-associate-kraken-united-states-mk0eh8cx5bkg) — United States
- [Suspicious Activity Report - Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/suspicious-activity-report-analyst-kraken-united-states-64tfvt7723p3) — United States
- [Principal, Business Operations - Pro](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-business-operations-pro-kraken-united-kingdom-7tx8vxse3pa4) — United Kingdom
- [Principal, Business Operations - Pro](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-business-operations-pro-kraken-united-states-x2mf5309h34z) — United States
- [Marketing Manager, CRM Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/marketing-manager-crm-operations-kraken-united-states-5tndwk3h8sb3) — United States
- [Model Risk Management Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/model-risk-management-specialist-kraken-canada-n6z623we9st1) — Canada
- [Counsel - Regulatory (UK)](https://feeny.ai/job/counsel-regulatory-uk-kraken-united-kingdom-s0fn2xn58ecf) — United Kingdom
- [FIU Compliance Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/fiu-compliance-associate-kraken-philippines-wg8qwx7kdy3z) — Philippines