Head of Internal Audit

Circle is a financial technology company at the epicenter of the emerging internet of money, where value can finally travel like other digital data — globally, nearly instantly and less expensively than legacy settlement systems. This ground-breaking new internet layer opens up previously unimaginable possibilities for payments, commerce and markets that can help raise global economic prosperity and enhance inclusion. Our infrastructure – including USDC, a blockchain-based dollar – helps businesses, institutions and developers harness these breakthroughs and capitalize on this major turning point in the evolution of money and technology.

What You’ll Be Part Of

Circle is committed to visibility and stability in everything we do. As we grow as an organization, we're expanding into some of the world's strongest jurisdictions. Speed and efficiency are motivators for our success and our employees live by our company values: Multistakeholder, Mindfulness, Driven by Excellence and High Integrity. Circlers are consistently evolving in a remote world where strength in numbers fuels team success. We have built a flexible and diverse work environment where new ideas are encouraged and everyone is a stakeholder.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Head of Internal Audit to lead our Internal Audit function as a public company. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, risk management, and internal controls within the financial services and cryptocurrency industries - and will have public company and SOX experience.. This role is critical in ensuring the integrity, compliance, and operational efficiency of our processes.

What You’ll Work On

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement the internal audit strategy aligned with organizational goals and regulatory requirements
• Audit Planning: Design and execute a comprehensive risk-based annual internal audit plan for approval by the Audit Committee that identifies and evaluates risk areas, controls, and compliance with internal policies and external regulations across Circle’s domestic and international operations
• Risk Assessment: Conduct risk assessments to identify system vulnerabilities, compliance gaps, and areas for improvement, ensuring robust protection against fraud and mismanagement
• Team Management: Lead, mentor, and develop our high-performing internal audit team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth. Direct the work of external co-source staff and subject-matter-experts on select engagements.
• Reporting: Prepare and communicate clear, concise audit reports to senior management and the Board, highlighting significant findings, risks, and recommendations for improvement
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to relevant regulations, including Sarbanes Oxley (SOX), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), sanctions and data protection laws, providing guidance on compliance initiatives. Liaise with external auditors and regulatory agencies as necessary.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with key stakeholders, including finance, risk management, technology, security and compliance teams, to build strong working relationships and facilitate collaborative approaches to managing risk
• Continuous Improvement: Recommend enhancements to internal controls and processes based on audit findings and industry best practices, aiding in the establishment of an agile and responsive internal audit function
• Training and Awareness: Conduct training sessions to promote awareness of internal controls, risk management, and compliance across the organization
  
  

You Will Aspire To Our Four Core Values

• Multistakeholder - you have dedication and commitment to our customers, shareholders, employees and families and local communities.
• Mindful - you seek to be respectful, an active listener and to pay attention to detail.
• Driven by Excellence - you are driven by our mission and our passion for customer success which means you relentlessly pursue excellence, that you do not tolerate mediocrity and you work intensely to achieve your goals.
• High Integrity - you seek open and honest communication, and you hold yourself to very high moral and ethical standards. You reject manipulation, dishonesty and intolerance.
  
  

What You’ll Bring To Circle

• 15+ years of experience with a combination of public accounting/audit and Industry.
• 10+ years managing and building high performing teams
• Experience leading an internal audit function with reporting out directly to the Audit Committee
• In-depth knowledge of auditing standards, compliance regulations, risk assessment methodologies, and financial management practices
• Public company experience, and strong knowledge of Sarbanes-Oxley and COSO/COBIT internal control frameworks
• Experience interacting with regulators
• Knowledge of core IT/IS concepts such as logical access management, cybersecurity, change management
• Experience working in a rapid growth, financial services, payments or technology company is a plus
• Organized, detailed, proactive, self-motivated, collaborative
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proven ability to work cross functionally and adapt to change are extremely important
• Ability to prioritize workloads and ensure deadlines are consistently met
• High integrity and ability to handle confidential information
• CPA and CIA/CISA or equivalent certification required
  
  

Circle is on a mission to create an inclusive financial future, with transparency at our core. We consider a wide variety of elements when crafting our compensation ranges and total compensation packages.

Starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to: relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, and other business and organizational needs. Please note that compensation ranges may differ for candidates in other locations.

Base Pay Range

$275,000 - $315,000

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at Circle. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Additionally, Circle participates in the E-Verify Program in certain locations, as required by law.

Should you require accommodations or assistance in our interview process because of a disability, please reach out to accommodations@circle.com for support. We respect your privacy and will connect with you separately from our interview process to accommodate your needs.