SOX Compliance Manager

As a SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) Compliance Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing and strengthening Appian’s controls to ensure accurate financial reporting as well as protecting our financial systems by driving SOX compliance across key business processes. You will collaborate with cross-functional partners to build and audit scalable Appian solutions that keep our controls robust in a fast-paced technology landscape. 

This role is based at our HQ in McLean, VA. Appian was built on a culture of in-person collaboration, which we believe is a key driver of our mission to be the best. Employees hired for this position are expected to be in the office 5 days a week to foster that culture and ensure we continue to thrive through shared ideas and teamwork. We believe being in the office provides more opportunities to come together and celebrate working with the exceptional people across Appian.

What you’ll be doing (i.e., job duties): 

• Define and maintain the enterprise SOX business process control framework, including scoping, risk assessment, control design standards, and documentation requirements.

• Ensure alignment of the SOX program with evolving business activities, new products, system changes, and external regulatory expectations.

• Oversee annual SOX risk assessment, scoping, and materiality determinations for business processes.

• Lead the design and implementation of key and non‑key business controls, including manual, automated, and IT‑dependent controls.

• Drive timely remediation of control deficiencies, including the design and implementation of sustainable corrective actions.

• Partner across all areas of the business, including Finance, Operations, and Technology

• Coordinate with internal and external auditors by serving as the primary liaison for SOX business controls and process testing, walkthroughs, and evidence requests. Align on testing strategies, reliance on management, and expectations for control operation and documentation.

• Drive continuous improvement and automation by seeking and identifying opportunities to streamline, standardize, and automate controls, reducing operational friction while maintaining control effectiveness. Champion data‑driven monitoring and analytics to enhance control precision and early‑issue detection.

What we look for in you (i.e., job requirements): 

• 5+ years of progressive experience in SOX, internal controls, internal audit, or risk management, with significant exposure to public company environments.

• Strong technical understanding of SOX 404, PCAOB standards, COSO framework, and best practices for business process control design and testing.

• Proven ability to work effectively with senior leaders (Controller, Head of Internal Audit, business and product leaders) and to influence without direct authority.

• Deep experience with core finance and operational processes (e.g., revenue recognition, financial reporting, procurement, disbursements, payroll, digital asset movement and safeguarding, etc.).

• Experience in managing key ITGCs and ITACs

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex control concepts into clear, actionable guidance for non‑experts.

• Professional certification such as CPA, CA, CIA, CISA, or CRMA is preferred.

• Experience in high‑growth, technology‑driven or financial services / crypto / fintech companies preferred.

• Familiarity with ERP systems and subledgers, workflow tools, and control automation technologies (e.g., NetSuite, Workiva,  Workday, RPA, data analytics, continuous control monitoring, etc.).