Audit & Controls Specialist (External / Internal SOX) | $80-$120/hr Remote
Listing checked September 4, 2026 · pay as published by Mercor
Overview
This contract role connects you with a leading AI lab to turn your hands-on audit experience into training data that sharpens AI's professional judgment. You will design realistic scenarios from external audits and internal SOX controls work, then critique AI-generated outputs for accuracy and sound reasoning. The engagement is fully remote, pays an hourly rate, and operates on an asynchronous schedule with the research team. Your work directly shapes how AI handles tasks like risk assessment, testing, and remediation validation.
What You'll Do6
- 1Build realistic audit and controls scenarios from your own fieldwork, covering planning, scoping, substantive testing, sampling, and workpaper documentation.
- 2Create exercises that mirror external audit procedures, from PBC requests to final opinion drafting and engagement wrap-up.
- 3Develop SOX-focused cases involving controls documentation, walkthroughs, testing, and tracking issues through remediation.
- 4Compare AI-generated responses against your professional judgment to spot gaps in accuracy, evidence, or reasoning.
- 5Write clear, actionable feedback that tells the AI team what went wrong and how to improve the model's audit logic.
- 6Coordinate asynchronously with researchers to refine prompts and ensure training data reflects real-world audit practice.
Requirements5
- 1Background in public accounting audit at a Big 4 or regional firm, or equivalent internal audit and SOX controls experience.
- 2Active CPA or CIA certification.
- 3Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related discipline.
- 4Strong written communication skills to convey complex audit concepts to a technical audience.
- 5Meticulous attention to detail when reviewing AI outputs for evidential support and professional standards.
Who Should Apply
This role suits a licensed auditor who enjoys breaking down their craft into teachable examples and evaluating machine output. You will be most effective if you have recent experience designing audit programs or SOX test plans, because the scenarios must reflect current practice. The role is less ideal for those who prefer ongoing client interaction or want to stay in a traditional audit function, since this is a remote, project-based engagement. Common reasons applicants don't advance include vague descriptions of their audit scope, lack of specific examples of controls testing, or failing to highlight their CPA or CIA credentials clearly.
Salary Insight
The pay range is $80 to $120 per hour, which is competitive for senior audit and controls professionals with certifications. Rates at the upper end typically align with Big 4 managers or experienced internal audit leads who can demonstrate deep SOX expertise.
Pay and demand on NearSkill
Live dataMedian hourly pay, USD
$70/hour
Among 634 live similar roles that publish pay
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Hiring most right now: micro1 (452) · SME Careers (163) · Mercor (132)
Most requested skills
- llm evaluation10%
- ai training10%
- trainer feedback9%
- documentation8%
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Required Skills
Application Tip
In your application, provide a concrete example of a SOX walkthrough or audit test you designed, including the specific risks you addressed. Emphasize your certification (CPA or CIA) and mention any experience with data analytics tools commonly used in audit, as these signals directly match what the AI lab needs.
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