The IRS has posted over 3,700 new job openings for revenue agents specializing in large corporate and complex partnership compliance as part of the agency’s commitment to shifting enforcement activities away from individuals and small businesses making less than $400,000 annually. (IR 2023-172; 9/15/2023)
According to the IRS, the revenue agent positions are at the General Schedule GS-13 level and open to the public. “Mid-career” financial service professionals with “specialized experience and education” in the realm of “complicated tax compliance issues” are encouraged to apply. Auditors at this level are expected to examine “the most complex tax returns filed by individuals, organizations,” and other entities, especially those with “extensive subsidiaries with operations of national or international scope.”
The new vacancies are divvied up across more than 250 IRS offices nationwide with base salaries ranging from $98,496-$158,432, per the job posting page on USAJobs.gov. Security clearance is not required, though new hires will be expected to occasionally travel. The positions are telework eligible but IRS policy requires teleworking employees report “at least twice a pay period” to their assigned location (Post of Duty) and live within 200 miles. Telework is subject to supervisor approval.
Applicants must either possess a certificate as a certified public accountant or a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in accounting with coursework focusing on business law, economics, finance, and other related subjects. The posting also requires at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the grade 12 level demonstrating prior professional accounting or auditing work.
“Keep in mind that an applicant’s specialized experience could translate into being qualified,” Friday’s release clarified. “No matter what kind of degree an applicant has they could qualify if their coursework included at least 30 semester hours in accounting.”
The announcement comes off the heels of IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel’s emphasis on the agency’s overhaul of its enforcement priorities. Inflation Reduction Act (PL 117-169) funds will not be used to focus audits on average individual taxpayers and small businesses, the IRS has repeatedly stressed since the bill’s enactment.
“This is another important step for the IRS as we work to transform the agency and make improvements,” Werfel said regarding the new job openings. “Our first wave of hiring focused on taxpayer service positions to help improve our phone and in-person assistance. This next wave of hiring will help the IRS add key talent like tax accountants to help reverse a decade-long decline of audits for the wealthy as well as complex partnerships and corporations.”
The IRS directed interested parties to its hiring events webpage, which lists upcoming in-person and online dates for various experience- and position-specific opportunities. On September 21, for example, the IRS Large Business & International Division will host a virtual hiring event for prospective senior-level revenue agents. These information sessions are optional.
“This is an exciting time to be at the IRS,” IRS Human Capital Officer Traci DiMartini said. “The IRS provides a competitive financial package for people with expertise in this high-demand area. For people with accounting and financial backgrounds, we encourage them to take a close look at the benefits of working for the IRS and serving our nation.”
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