External Audit - FSO Blockchain - Senior

EY; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Medical and dental coverage

Pension and 401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

EY is seeking a Digital Asset Assurance professional to join the Digital Asset Research Center in a hybrid US role. You will support audits and advisory engagements, research blockchain technology and develop tooling to improve audit quality.

Candidates should have CPA readiness, 2+ years in audit, and strong communication skills for client delivery. You will work with cross-functional teams across regions, travel as needed, and contribute to delivering high-quality assurance services for

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, IS, CS, or related field.
• 2+ years of external audit, assurance, or related professional services experience.
• CPA certification or eligibility with progress toward passing exams.
• Strong audit fundamentals including assertions, risk and controls.
• Experience auditing public companies, banks, digital asset exchanges or finance firms.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted digital asset assurance SME for audit/advisory engagements with material digital asset exposure.
• Design and execute audit procedures over digital assets: existence, valuation, rights, obligations, completeness, disclosures.
• Lead digital asset evaluations: research, documentation, analysis of blockchain-based assets and risks.
• Interpret blockchain data and verify on-chain activity using explorers and analytics for audit evidence.
• Collaborate with teams to translate technical concepts into audit-relevant conclusions and documentation.
• Develop and enhance tooling, methodologies and best practices for audit quality and efficiency.
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends, custody models and regulatory changes; identify applicable opportunities.

Skills

Audit fundamentals

Communication skills

Analytical mindset

Problem solving

Curiosity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance/IS/CS

CPA or CPA candidate

Tools

Audit documentation software

Job description

Location: San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, New York, Hoboken

At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence.

We’ll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go. Join EY and help to build a better working world.

At EY, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are, with the global scale, support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. And we’re counting on your unique voice and perspective to help EY become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.

The opportunity

You will be a part of the Digital Asset Research Center, an innovative and collaborative group of software developers, financial auditors and technology consultants who are dedicated to developing the deep technical understanding, methodology and tools required to deliver a variety of Assurance services to companies that hold and transact in digital assets. You will have the opportunity to research the latest public blockchains, smart contracts and digital assets, as well as serve the clients that drive this exciting and disruptive industry forward.

The EY organization serves a wide range of companies in the digital asset ecosystem, such as well-known global digital asset exchanges, custodians, miners/validators, payment providers, investment managers and broker-dealers. To provide Assurance services including financial audits, audit-readiness, forensic investigations and related due diligence, we must have a technical understanding of the wide variety of public blockchains, smart contracts and the digital assets native to these platforms, along with the relevant risks and controls involved. We also must develop tools and methodology to assess our clients’ activities in this sector. The Digital Asset Research Center makes this possible.

We are a small, focused team that is rapidly growing. You will be exposed to and involved with all levels of business management and have numerous opportunities for personal growth and career development. While the Digital Asset Research Center primarily focuses on US clients, you will be collaborating with similar teams in other regions in Europe, India, Asia-Pacific and the Americas.

Your key responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted digital asset assurance subject matter expert for audit and advisory engagements with material digital asset exposure, supporting every stage of the audit cycle.

• Support audit teams by designing and executing audit procedures over digital assets, including existence, valuation, rights and obligations, completeness, and presentation/disclosures.

• Lead and perform digital asset evaluations, including research, documentation, and analysis of blockchain-based assets, protocols, smart contracts, and associated audit risks impacting financial reporting.

• Interpret blockchain transaction data and independently verify on‑chain activity using public block explorers, internal analytics, and specialist methodologies to obtain audit-ready evidence and conclusions.

• Collaborate with engagement teams, managers, and senior leadership to translate technical blockchain concepts into clear, audit-relevant conclusions, including risk assessments, scoping, and documentation support.

• Contribute to the development and enhancement of custom tooling, methodologies, and leading practices (including automation and blockchain analytics) to improve audit quality, consistency, and efficiency.

• Keep up‑to‑date on emerging industry trends, protocols, custody models, evolving regulatory frameworks, and leading practices in this fast‑growing area and proactively identify opportunities to apply new practices to active engagements.

• Work effectively with cross‑functional client service teams with diverse skills and backgrounds, teaming effectively and fostering an innovative and inclusive environment while meeting deadlines and quality expectations.

Skills and attributes for success

We’re seeking self‑motivated individuals with excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to prioritize shifting workloads in a rapidly changing industry. Someone who can easily function in a collaborative, high‑demand, performance‑driven environment. In addition, we’re looking for people who recognize the importance of new technologies and are willing to learn and be curious. If you’re passionate about problem‑solving and finding innovative solutions to complex issues, this role is for you.

To qualify for the role you must have:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field.

• Must have 2+ years of experience in external audit, assurance, or a related professional services role.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification, or eligibility to sit for the CPA exams with demonstrated progress toward passing the exams.

• Strong understanding of audit fundamentals, including financial statement assertions, risk assessment, control and information produced by the entity (IPE) concepts.

• Experience auditing public companies, banks, digital asset exchanges, or financial services including venture capital and hedge funds.

• Experience in the use of audit documentation software.

• Foundational knowledge of blockchain technology, including a working understanding of wallet/address structures and transaction mechanics (e.g., interpreting on‑chain details such as transactions, quantity, and timing), smart contract and DeFi concepts and how they can hold/transfer value, and custody/private key management models.

• Ability to analyze blockchain data and reconcile on‑chain activity to client records.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical writing and client presentations.

• Intellectual curiosity and willingness to continuously learn in a rapidly changing digital asset landscape.

• The ability and willingness to travel and work in excess of standard hours when necessary

• Access to reliable transportation to/from the EY office and client sites. A driver’s license is strongly recommended as ride share and public transportation options may not be available in all locations

Ideally, you’ll also have:

• Auditing or supporting audits involving digital assets, cryptocurrencies, or blockchain‑based transactions.

• SOX reporting and control environments related to digital asset companies.

What we offer you

At EY, we’ll develop you with future‑focused skills and equip you with world‑class experiences. We’ll empower you in a flexible environment, and fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams. Learn more .

• We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to the business. The base salary range for this job in all geographic locations in the US is $79,200 to $130,600. The base salary range for New York City Metro Area, Washington State and California (excluding Sacramento) is $95,000 to $148,500. Individual salaries within those ranges are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills and geography. In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k) plans, and a wide range of paid time off options.

• Join us in our team‑led and leader‑enabled hybrid model. Our expectation is for most people in external, client serving roles to work together in person 40-60% of the time over the course of an engagement, project or year.

• Under our flexible vacation policy, you’ll decide how much vacation time you need based on your own personal circumstances. You’ll also be granted time off for designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well‑being.

EY accepts applications for this position on an on‑going basis.

EY focuses on high-ethical standards and integrity among its employees and expects all candidates to demonstrate these qualities.

EY | Building a better working world

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

EY provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected basis, including arrest and conviction records, in accordance with applicable law.

EY is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities including veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and either need assistance applying online or need to request an accommodation during any part of the application process, please call 1-800-EY-HELP3, select Option 2 for candidate related inquiries, then select Option 1 for candidate queries and finally select Option 2 for candidates with an inquiry which will route you to EY’s Talent Shared Services Team (TSS) or email the TSS at [e-mail] .