Staff Auditor

Job Type:

Plains is an industry-leading transportation and midstream provider specializing in transportation, storage, processing and marketing solutions for crude oil. We own an extensive network of pipeline transportation, terminalling, storage and gathering assets in key oil producing basins and transportation corridors and at major market hubs in the United States and Canada. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

We’re on the lookout for passionate self‑starters who thrive in fast‑moving, collaborative, and innovative environments.

The Staff Auditor supports risk-based internal audits and SOX compliance activities in a modern, agile environment. The role combines foundational auditing and accounting knowledge with professional skepticism, critical thinking, clear communication, data analysis, responsible use of artificial intelligence, and business-process automation. The auditor is expected to learn quickly, challenge assumptions constructively, validate technology-enabled work, and translate results into practical business insights.

Key Responsibilities

•  Interview process owners and other personnel at multiple organizational levels; ask focused questions, listen actively, and document information accurately.

•  Understand and document business processes, operational/financial/strategic risks, systems, data flows, and controls using narratives, flowcharts, risk-and-control matrices, and other approved formats.

•  Execute risk-based audit procedures and SOX control testing, including walkthroughs, sample-based testing, data-driven testing, evidence evaluation, and clear workpaper documentation.

•  Use approved artificial intelligence, analytics, and automation tools to deepen and accelerate research, planning, data preparation, testing, documentation, issue development, and reporting.

•  Independently verify the accuracy, completeness, relevance, and source support of AI-generated or automated output; maintain appropriate human judgment and accountability.

•  Identify control gaps, compliance concerns, root causes, emerging risks, and opportunities to simplify processes, strengthen controls, or improve operating performance.

•  Communicate audit status, observations, evidence required, and testing results promptly and professionally to Internal Audit leadership and business stakeholders.

•  Participate in agile team practices, including iterative planning, short feedback cycles, transparent work tracking, retrospectives, and continuous improvement.

Core Competencies

•  Strong oral communication: conducts effective interviews, explains audit objectives and findings clearly, and adjusts messaging for technical, operational, and executive audiences.

•  Strong written communication: produces concise, accurate, evidence-based workpapers, observations, recommendations, and reports.

•  Critical thinking and professional skepticism: evaluates conflicting information, recognizes bias, connects evidence to conclusions, and escalates issues appropriately.

•  Analytical problem solving: decomposes ambiguous problems, identifies patterns and anomalies, performs root-cause analysis, and develops practical recommendations.

•  Collaboration and influence: builds productive relationships, works effectively across disciplines, gives and receives constructive feedback, and handles challenge professionally.

•  Business acumen and risk awareness: understands how strategy, operations, technology, financial reporting, compliance, and third parties interact.

•  Learning agility and adaptability: quickly develops knowledge of new processes, systems, standards, risks, and technologies.

•  Integrity, accountability, confidentiality, and sound judgment when handling sensitive company information.

AI, Data, and Automation Competencies

•  Responsible AI use: applies approved AI tools within company policies for privacy, security, confidentiality, records retention, intellectual property, and acceptable use.

•  AI-assisted work design: frames clear prompts and instructions, provides relevant context, iterates thoughtfully, and selects appropriate tasks for AI assistance rather than defaulting to automation.

•  Output validation: checks AI-generated content for factual accuracy, unsupported claims, bias, inconsistencies, outdated information, calculation errors, and alignment with source evidence.

•  Automation mindset: spots repetitive or rules-based work, maps the current process, helps define requirements, and supports low-code or workflow automation with appropriate controls.

•  Data literacy: obtains, cleans, reconciles, joins, filters, and analyzes structured and unstructured data; understands data lineage, completeness, accuracy, and access limitations.

•  Analytics and visualization: uses spreadsheets and business-intelligence tools to identify trends, outliers, populations, and exceptions and to communicate results effectively.

•  Technology risk awareness: recognizes risks arising from access, change management, interfaces, cybersecurity, privacy, model use, and automated decision-making.

•  Innovation discipline: experiments in controlled settings, documents assumptions and results, measures whether a solution improves quality or efficiency, and shares scalable practices.

Minimum Qualifications

•  BA/BS degree in Computer and Data Science, Management Information Systems, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline. An Internal Audit Certificate from a recognized program is a plus.

•  Zero to two years of relevant experience in industry, public accounting, internal audit, data analytics, technology risk, or a major risk consulting firm.

•  Foundational knowledge or practical experience in business processes, risk management, accounting, external audit, internal audit, or internal controls.

•  Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, with the ability and willingness to learn Microsoft Copilot and other company-approved AI and automation tools.

•  Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet commitments, maintain organized audit evidence, and work independently with appropriate supervision.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

•  Experience with Microsoft Copilot or another enterprise AI assistant in a controlled business environment.

•  Working knowledge of Power BI or Tableau, Visio or process-mapping tools, OneNote, Power Query, Power Automate, SQL, Python, or similar analytics and automation technologies.

•  Familiarity with electronic workpaper or audit management systems, including Workiva audit management software.

•  Exposure to SOX compliance, financial-reporting controls, ERP systems, IT general controls, continuous monitoring, or data-enabled auditing.

•  Knowledge of the oil and gas industry, particularly the midstream sector.

•  CIA, CPA, CISA, CRMA, or relevant analytics/technology certification, or active pursuit of a professional designation.

Employment Conditions

•  Travel to field locations is estimated to be less than 5% per annum.

•  Cleared criminal history background and satisfactory reference checks.

•  Compliance with the Company’s drug and alcohol policy, including pre-employment drug and alcohol testing.

•  This position is not eligible for employment-based visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for the duration of their employment.

Development Opportunity

The department offers professional growth opportunities through exposure to diverse business processes, risks, technologies, and stakeholders. Opportunities may exist both within Internal Audit and in other areas of the company after two years of experience in the group.

#Plains

At Plains, our employees are our most valuable asset. Hard work is rewarded with competitive compensation and a top-tier benefits program designed to keep our employees safe, healthy and happy. We work hard to deliver the best results to our stakeholders, and we also respect our employees' need for personal and family time, which is reflected in our benefits program.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Applicants with disabilities can request accessible formats, communication supports, or other accessibility assistance by contacting [email protected].

Salary details estimated by job boards such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn do not represent Plains’ compensation structure. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

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