Staff Auditor

plains; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Plains is seeking a Staff Auditor to support risk-based internal audits and SOX compliance in a modern, agile environment. The role combines foundational auditing and accounting knowledge with professional skepticism, data analysis, and clear communication.

You will interview process owners, document controls and processes, perform walkthroughs and testing, and validate AI-assisted outputs while maintaining sound judgment and accountability.

Qualifications

• Foundational auditing and accounting knowledge.
• Experience with SOX compliance is a plus.
• Ability to translate findings into practical business insights.

Responsibilities

• Interview process owners and personnel; document information accurately.
• Document business processes, risks, systems, data flows, and controls.
• Perform risk-based audit procedures and SOX control testing.
• Utilize AI, analytics, and automation tools to enhance research and testing.
• Verify AI-generated outputs and maintain human judgment.

Skills

Interviewing process owners

Process documentation

Audit testing

AI analytics

Critical thinking

Communication

Collaboration

Risk awareness

Learning agility

Tools

AI analytics tools

Flowchart software

Data analysis tools

Job description

Job Type: Regular

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, interface