Director, SOX Compliance

Upwork; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical coverage

Unlimited PTO

401(k) plan with matching

12 weeks of paid parental leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Upwork Inc. in the United States is seeking an experienced Director, SOX Compliance to own and scale the ICFR program as we grow as a public company.

You'll lead the team, partner with Finance, Legal, Engineering, and external auditors to maintain rigorous controls and audit readiness. This role emphasizes applying PCAOB standards, COSO, and leveraging AI tools to streamline documentation and issue tracking while preserving accuracy.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in internal audit, SOX, or external audit with ≥3 years in leadership.
• SOX 404 program management with PCAOB standards and US GAAP.
• CPA and Big 4 public accounting background is a huge plus.
• Experience at a publicly traded company with integrated audits.
• Comfort using AI tools to support control documentation and findings.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end execution of the annual SOX 404 program, including scoping, risk assessment, control documentation, testing, and remediation
• Maintain and continuously improve the ICFR framework, including the design and operating effectiveness of key controls across financial reporting processes, in alignment with COSO 2013 and PCAOB standards
• Lead the SOX steering committee and serve as primary liaison with external auditors, presenting program status, risk findings, and remediation plans to senior leadership and the Audit Committee
• Direct control design, testing, and remediation efforts, applying professional judgment to evaluate the significance of deficiencies in accordance with AS 2201 and SEC guidance, and use AI tools to help streamline control documentation, issue tracking, and information synthesis while carefully validating outputs for accuracy and audit readiness
• Lead SOX integration activities for newly acquired entities, including legacy control assessment, gap analysis, and design of new controls aligned with our framework
• Oversee IT general control scoping and testing across key financial systems, partnering with IT and Engineering to ensure appropriate coverage
• Build, lead, and mentor a team of SOX compliance professionals, and manage co‑source arrangements with third‑party service providers

Skills

SOX program mgmt

Leadership

US GAAP knowledge

Communication

AI tools usage

Education

CPA and Big 4 background

Tools

AI tooling for audits

Oracle Fusion ERP

Data analytics tools

Job description

Upwork Inc.'s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work type including freelance, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.

Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work. Learn more about the Upwork Marketplace at Upwork.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; and learn more about Lifted at Go-Lifted and follow on LinkedIn.

We're looking for an experienced Director, SOX Compliance to own and scale our Sarbanes-Oxley program as we continue to grow as a public company. You'll serve as the primary owner of our internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) framework, partnering closely with Finance, Legal, Engineering, and external auditors to keep our control environment rigorous and effective. You'll lead a team of SOX compliance professionals, drive continuous improvement across the program, and act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and the Audit Committee on control-related matters. This is a chance to shape how compliance is embedded across the business, balancing rigor, efficiency, and pragmatic decision-making at scale.

Responsibilities:

• Own end-to-end execution of the annual SOX 404 compliance program, including scoping, risk assessment, control documentation, testing, and remediation
• Maintain and continuously improve the ICFR framework, including the design and operating effectiveness of key controls across financial reporting processes, in alignment with COSO 2013 and PCAOB standards
• Lead the SOX steering committee and serve as primary liaison with external auditors, presenting program status, risk findings, and remediation plans to senior leadership and the Audit Committee
• Direct control design, testing, and remediation efforts, applying professional judgment to evaluate the significance of deficiencies in accordance with AS 2201 and SEC guidance, and use AI tools to help streamline control documentation, issue tracking, and information synthesis while carefully validating outputs for accuracy and audit readiness
• Lead SOX integration activities for newly acquired entities, including legacy control assessment, gap analysis, and design of new controls aligned with our framework
• Oversee IT general control scoping and testing across key financial systems, partnering with IT and Engineering to ensure appropriate coverage
• Build, lead, and mentor a team of SOX compliance professionals, and manage co‑source arrangements with third‑party service providers

What It Takes to Catch Our Eye:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in internal audit, SOX compliance, or external audit, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Deep expertise in SOX 404 program management, including risk assessment, control design, and operating effectiveness testing under PCAOB standards, along with strong US GAAP knowledge
• CPA and Big 4 public accounting background are a huge plus
• Experience at a publicly traded company navigating integrated audits with Big 4 external auditors, with demonstrated ability to communicate control findings to executive leadership
• Comfort using AI tools to support control documentation, summarize findings, and organize audit workpapers, paired with sound judgment about when outputs need closer human review
• Experience with technology, SaaS, or marketplace business models, Oracle Fusion ERP, and leading SOX integration workstreams for acquisitions is a plus

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you'll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 34 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics.

• comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family
• unlimited PTO
• a 401(k) plan with matching
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• an Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.

Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer is made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable law, including the California Fair Chance Act and local Fair Chance ordinances. The Company is committed to conducting an individualized assessment and giving all individuals a fair opportunity to provide relevant information or context before making any final employment decision.

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