Senior Auditor
Houston, TX, US, 77056
LyondellBasell is a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. With a nearly 70-year legacy that includes a Nobel Prize in Chemistry and our proprietary MoReTec recycling technology, LYB is enabling a more sustainable future for generations to come. LYB develops high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. LYB places high priority on diversity, equity and inclusion and is Advancing Good with an emphasis on our planet, the communities where we operate and our future workforce. We're addressing the global challenges of ending plastic waste, taking climate action, and supporting a thriving society, while generating value for our customers, investors, and society.
Come Join an Inclusive Team
The Senior Auditor is an experienced professional within the Internal Audit team, responsible for evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls, compliance with Company policies, and opportunities to strengthen processes across the organization. This role leads smaller audits of low to moderate complexity and major sections of larger engagements under the overall direction of a Lead Auditor or Audit Manager, ensuring work is performed in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards and Internal Audit methodology.
The Senior Auditor is the first step into audit leadership. Beyond strong personal execution, this role frames problems, develops risk hypotheses, connects evidence to root cause and business impact, and coaches Associate and Staff Auditors in real time. The Senior Auditor moves assigned work forward independently with sound judgment, knows when to escalate, and builds the scoping, stakeholder, and leadership experience needed to own full audits end-to-end. The role also supports advisory engagements, corporate investigations, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) activities, special projects, and department initiatives, and applies data, technology, and AI in everyday audit work.
While based in Houston, this role involves participating in audit assignments across our global company. Travel to domestic and international locations up to 25% per year. International trips typically last up to three weeks. This position may also require overtime at times.
A Day in the Life
- Lead Audit Sections and Smaller Audits: Plan and execute assigned sections of operational, financial, compliance, ESG, fraud, and advisory engagements, and lead smaller audits of low to moderate complexity from planning through draft reporting. Own assigned work end-to-end (objectives, testing, conclusions, and timelines) and escalate significant scope, judgment, or stakeholder issues to the Lead Auditor or Audit Manager on a timely basis. Prepare process maps and flowcharts for assigned areas to visualize risks and controls, and support follow-up on the remediation of audit findings.
- Adaptive Execution: Adjust the testing approach as facts change and remain effective through ambiguity. Participate in agile and iterative audit approaches, and raise when emerging risks or new information warrant a change in scope.
- Risk Assessment and Scoping: Build risk and control views for assigned areas, develop hypotheses, and help shape scope for audits of low to moderate complexity. Link stakeholder input and data to proposed procedures, and contribute to risk-sensing discussions and the annual risk assessment as assigned.
- Continuous Improvement: Lead adoption of new methods, tools, and templates on assigned audits, offer practical suggestions to improve efficiency and effectiveness, and document improvements so others can reuse them.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Build trust with auditees and process owners and adapt the approach to the audience. Lead walkthroughs and working sessions, present work logically, handle routine challenge, and support discussions with first-line and mid-level management while maintaining auditor independence. Coordinate with ERM, compliance, and other risk and assurance functions on assigned work to share information and avoid duplication.
- Workpapers, Findings, and Reporting: Prepare high-quality workpapers on a timely basis in alignment with Internal Audit methodology. Draw evidence-based conclusions and draft findings in business language that explain the condition, root cause, and why the issue matters, with practical recommendations. Resolve review notes thoughtfully and contribute to draft reports and presentations.
- Ethics, Trust, and Culture: Model professionalism and integrity for junior team members, challenge weak evidence, and raise concerns or difficult issues promptly with clear rationale.
- Continuous Learning and Development: Develop a working knowledge of the Company’s business and manufacturing processes, policies, and procedures. Build credible depth in one area while staying broad across audit types, maintain an active development plan, and pursue a first relevant professional certification.
- Global Perspective: Participate in audit assignments across global locations, working across functions and regions when needed and adapting to local regulations, business practices, and cultural norms.
You Bring This Value
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field required; advanced degree (MBA, MS, etc.) is a plus.
- Typically 4+ years of progressive audit or business experience, including internal or external audit experience; experience leading audit sections or smaller audits is preferred. Experience in a Big 4 accounting firm or large corporate internal audit department is a plus.
- Professional certification (CPA, CIA, CISA, CFE, CRMA, or equivalent) is preferred; candidates actively pursuing a first certification are encouraged to apply.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 with advanced Excel skills; working knowledge of SAP or an equivalent ERP system is highly desirable. Experience with data analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, Celonis) is a plus.
- Knowledge of operational, financial, IT, and audit processes and their interdependencies; demonstrated analytical thinking, hypothesis-driven problem-solving, data literacy, and business acumen.
- Practical, responsible use of AI tools in daily work, with sound validation of outputs.
- Clear, concise, and organized written and verbal communication; able to interact credibly with first-line operating and supervisory personnel and with higher-level management.
- Ability to coach junior team members and to work effectively both independently and as part of a team across regions and cultures.
- Experience with ESG, data analytics, or automation is valued.
- Self-motivated; works with a sense of urgency, manages multiple priorities, and meets deadlines.
- Fluent in business English; additional language skills are desirable.
Data, Technology, and AI:
- Use data analytics to test hypotheses, explain anomalies, and reduce reliance on sampling, moving toward full-population testing where practical; document logic so the analysis can be repeated.
- Navigate key enterprise systems (e.g., SAP, OneStream) independently to extract and validate data, use the audit platform as a working tool in planning and testing, and help peers with common issues.
- Use approved AI tools meaningfully for risk brainstorming, test design ideas, and finding development, validating outputs and applying professional judgment in line with Internal Audit guidance.
Audit Methodology and Value Creation:
- Risk-Based Scoping: Develops hypotheses and helps shape scope for assigned audits and sections.
- Testing and Evidence Quality: Designs and performs sufficient, appropriate tests; challenges weak evidence.
- Root Cause: Pushes beyond symptoms to identify likely root cause and process impact.
- Aligned Assurance: Understands how Internal Audit fits with management, compliance, and ERM; coordinates on assigned work.
- Value Creation: Frames findings in business language and begins influencing process owners toward action.
What We Offer
We offer employees a competitive total compensation package, which includes base pay and variable incentive pay programs. This supports a pay-for-performance culture, recognizing both individual and company performance, as well as benefit programs that are highly attractive and competitive within the markets for which we compete for talent.
- The Company’s Global Remote Work Policy allows eligible employees the option to work up to two days a week from home.
- 401(k) Plan with Company Match
- Retirement (Pension) Plan
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Educational Assistance
- Choice of Preferred Provider or Consumer Driven Medical Plan including Prescription Drug Coverage
- Dental, Vision, and Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life, AD&D and LTD Insurance
Competencies
Learn more about our benefits: Benefits/Health & Welfare | LyondellBasell
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LyondellBasell is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. The US EEO is the Law poster is available here.
LYB is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation related to LYB’s recruiting process, please email us at Careers@lyb.com.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
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Nearest Major Market: Houston