Principal Auditor

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

The Principal Auditor participates in and frequently serves as the team leader for a variety of projects which include internal audit reviews, vendor audits, process reviews, internal investigations, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance controls testing and other projects. The Principal Auditor is responsible for evaluating the design of controls and testing the operating effectiveness of controls during many of these projects and takes on the more challenging sections of the individual projects.

The Principal Auditor has the lead role in preparing the summary of observations that is discussed with the internal client and in preparing the first draft of observations and management action plans in the internal audit report. For Sarbanes-Oxley compliance program status reports and control descriptions, the Principal Auditor takes the lead in drafting these communications for review by Internal Audit management.

• Performing planning, organizing, analyzing, testing, and reporting to management on the results of internal audit projects.
• Taking on a leading role in assessing business, compliance and control risks in the planning phase of projects and in developing risk-based project plans and procedures.
• Identifying opportunities for improvements in processes and internal controls and discussing improvement opportunities with process owners.
• Having a leading role in opening (kick-off) and closing meetings for projects.
• Developing audit work programs and preparing work papers that support observations and document work performed and, at times, reviewing the work papers of more junior staff.
• Performing data analysis using data analytics tools and artificial intelligence resources, evaluating results, and drawing conclusions on the results.
• Drafting written descriptions of issues that are clear and concise that can be included in project reports and in reports to the board of directors.
• Presenting findings to internal audit managers, the Chief Audit Executive, and process owners.
• Providing support to external audit firm personnel conducting the financial statement audit, as well as to subject matter specialists engaged in consulting assignments.
• Performing assessments of the implementation of management action plans.
• Working independently with limited direction and guidance and effectively coordinating project activities with other team members.
• Communicating effectively with management, team members, and other personnel throughout the organization.
• Demonstrating maturity, poise, self-confidence, and tact while working other employees in the company.
• Teaming and working collaboratively with other members of the internal audit function, internal audit management and other stakeholders on all assignments.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or other related business degree required.
• Minimum combination of 7 years’ experience in internal audit or 3 years in public accounting or consulting.
• Professional certification (CPA, CIA, CFE, CISA, CIA, or equivalent) or demonstrated progress towards a professional certification is preferred.
• Knowledge of internal audit practices, and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance requirements and testing approaches is preferred.
• Knowledge of governance activities and control frameworks such as COSO is preferred.
• Extensive experience applying critical thinking, innovative problem-solving, and meticulous attention to detail across diverse audit engagements and strategic initiatives.
• Experience performing data analytics leveraging data analytics tools (such as Case Ware IDEA) and leveraging artificial intelligence resources is preferred.
• Experience analyzing financial statement and managerial reporting data is preferred.
• Experience with business communication, such as opening and closing meetings, and conducting interviews is preferred.
• Experience working with JD Edwards and SAP is a plus.
• Building Products or Manufacturing…