Head of Business Controls

About the Role

We are looking for a Head of Business Controls to join our Internal Audit team at Anthropic. In this role, you will lead the organization's financial audit and SOX 404 compliance program, with a primary focus on financial process controls, business process risk assessments, and end-to-end financial reporting integrity as we scale rapidly toward an IPO.

This is a unique opportunity to build financial audit controls at an AI-first company, leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to create innovative, automated, and scalable compliance solutions. You will help define how AI can transform traditional financial audit processes — from continuous monitoring of financial transactions to intelligent anomaly detection — while maintaining the rigor required for public company compliance.

As the Head of Business Controls, you will own audit planning, scoping, testing, remediation, and reporting, partnering directly with Finance, Accounting, Operations, and Business teams to design scalable controls, oversee documentation, and manage communication with external auditors. This role reports to the Head of Internal Audit and plays a critical part in strengthening internal control maturity through pre-IPO readiness and beyond.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage the organization's end-to-end financial audit and SOX compliance program
• Own financial audit planning, scoping, testing, remediation, and reporting activities
• Build scalable, automated, and sustainable controls to support growth through pre-IPO and post-IPO readiness
• Develop and maintain the financial audit compliance roadmap aligned with organizational growth
• Pioneer the use of AI and automation technologies to enhance control effectiveness, continuous monitoring, and anomaly detection across financial processes
• Drive financial controls rationalization initiatives to optimize the control environment and increase reliance on automated controls
• Design, implement, and monitor controls across key financial processes including revenue recognition, financial close, accounts payable/receivable, and treasury operations
• Evaluate and test business process controls and automated controls to ensure proper functionality and compliance with US GAAP and SEC reporting requirements
• Conduct process and risk assessments to identify control gaps and remediation needs across financial workflows
• Oversee control documentation and ensure audit-ready evidence is maintained for all financial processes
• Assess and monitor controls over financial system implementations, ERP migrations (e.g., Workday Financials), and related integrations
• Partner with Finance, Accounting, Operations, and Business teams to implement scalable financial controls
• Work directly with the Controller, CFO, and Chief Accounting Officer to align audit priorities with business objectives
• Collaborate with process owners to identify control improvements and automation opportunities across financial workflows
• Support management's assessment of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) and related disclosures
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors on financial audit and SOX matters
• Manage audit requests, coordinate testing schedules, and facilitate walkthroughs across all financial processes
• Track and report on financial audit compliance status to leadership, the Board, and Audit Committee
• Drive alignment with external auditors on testing approaches, reliance strategies, and deficiency evaluation

Minimum qualifications

• Have 10+ years of hands-on financial audit and SOX compliance experience, preferably in both Big 4 and in-house internal audit/SOX leadership roles at a fast-paced technology company
• Have proven ability to establish or scale financial audit and SOX compliance programs at newly public or pre-IPO companies
• Possess deep understanding of business process controls, financial reporting, and US GAAP requirements
• Have strong project management, analytical, and communication skills
• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
• Are passionate about building scalable processes that support organizational growth and Anthropic's mission to create safe AI

Preferred qualifications

• Have 10+ years of hands-on financial audit and SOX compliance experience, preferably in both Big 4 and in-house internal audit/SOX leadership roles at a fast-paced technology company
• CPA, CIA, CISA, or similar certification
• Experience supporting rapid company growth and scaling financial compliance programs accordingly
• Interest in or experience applying AI/ML technologies to financial audit, compliance, or risk management processes
• Deep understanding of revenue recognition (ASC 606), lease accounting (ASC 842), or other complex accounting standards relevant to technology companies
• Experience working at a high-growth AI or technology company
• Familiarity with financial data governance, internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR), and SEC disclosure requirements