Joint Venture Audit Analyst

Murphy Oil•Houston, TX

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Joint Venture Audit Analyst coordinates and supports operated and non-operated joint venture audit activities within the upstream oil and gas business. In this role, the individual helps ensure joint venture expenditures, billings, allocations, and audit responses are reviewed, documented, and resolved in accordance with joint operating agreements, company policies, applicable accounting standards, and industry guidance. Success in this position requires strong analytical skills, sound judgment, clear professional communication, and the ability to work effectively with internal teams and external joint venture partners. The role works in a professional office environment, and regular partners interacts with Joint Venture Accounting, Operations Accounting, Revenue Accounting, Land, Supply Chain, Drilling, Completions, Production Operations, Legal, and external joint venture partners. The role requires frequent coordination across functions to gather obtaining supporting documentation, validate cost treatment, communicate accounting positions, and resolve audit exceptions in a timely and professional manner. The Joint Venture Audit Analyst will be based work in our Houston Corporate office and may work up to two (2) days per week remotely, as business needs allow.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
Minimum 5 years’ experience in accounting, audit, joint interest billing, joint venture accounting, or a related upstream oil and gas accounting function.
Working knowledge of joint operating agreements, joint interest billing practices, cost allocation methods, and oil and gas audit processes
Familiarity with COPAS accounting procedures and industry guidance applicable to operated and non-operated oil and gas properties
Demonstrated ability to research accounting issues, reconcile data, evaluate supporting documentation, and communicate conclusions clearly
Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, audits, and detailed information requests while maintaining accuracy and professionalism
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and related business productivity tools.
The individual is required to follow all applicable safety precautions.
Work is performed almost entirely in a controlled (i.e., inside) environment and does not typically subject the incumbent to any hazardous/extreme elements; some positions may require regularly moving or transporting items weighing up to 25 lbs. around the office for various needs.
The successful candidate must be able to complete all essential physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Experience using SAP, SAP JV, SAP S/4HANA, or similar oil and gas accounting systems.
Prior experience coordinating operated property audits or reviewing non-operated audit claims
Experience supporting audit settlements, joint venture partner discussions, and related accounting adjustments
Knowledge of upstream oil and gas operations, drilling and completion activity, production operations, materials management, and field cost structures
Participation in COPAS, industry audit forums, or other relevant professional training
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate, well-supported audit conclusions
Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing requests and deadlines
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain accounting conclusions to financial and non-financial stakeholders
Professional judgment, integrity, and discretion in handling confidential partner, contract, and financial information
Collaborative work style with the ability to build effective relationships across departments and with external joint venture partners
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes, evaluate alternatives, and recommend practical resolutions
Ability to work independently, take ownership of assigned responsibilities, and keep management informed of significant issues, risks, and recommended actions

Responsibilities

Coordinate joint venture audit engagements for operated properties, including audit scheduling, partner communications, information requests, fieldwork support, and audit closing activities
Support audits of non-operated properties by reviewing operator billings, supporting documentation, audit claims, and proposed audit exceptions
Maintain the joint venture audit schedule and related tracking tools to monitor audit priorities, timing, partner participation, property coverage, open items, and resolution status
Review joint interest billings, expense allocations, overhead charges, material transfers, contract charges, and related activity for compliance with joint operating agreements and applicable accounting guidance
Coordinate timely responses to audit information requests by gathering documentation from accounting systems, operational teams, supplier records, contracts, invoices, payment records, and other source materials
Research, track, and resolve audit exceptions for operated and non-operated properties, ensuring conclusions are appropriately supported and documented
Prepare or coordinate journal entries, billing adjustments, credit memos, or other accounting revisions resulting from audit findings, negotiated settlements, or management-approved resolutions
Support discussions with joint venture partners, operators, and internal stakeholders regarding audit claims, disputed costs, recommended resolutions, and settlement status
Maintain organized audit files, exception logs, settlement documentation, and historical audit records in accordance with company documentation standards
Identify recurring audit issues, process gaps, or control concerns and recommend practical improvements to strengthen joint venture accounting practices
Partner with internal teams to promote consistent application of joint venture accounting policies, cost allocations, overhead calculations, and documentation requirements
Provide audit status updates, issue summaries, and relevant metrics to management and stakeholders, as requested