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Internal Revenue Agent

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has a distinguished history dating back to the founding of our nation. As the steward of U.S. economic and financial systems, Treasury is a major and influential leader in today's global economy. We have over 100,000 employees across the country and around the world. Come Join the Department of the Treasury and Invest in Tomorrow.

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Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
09/15/2021 to 09/21/2021
Salary
$64,649 to - $122,884 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Locations
63 vacancies in the following locations:
Birmingham, AL
Huntsville, AL
Mobile, AL
Little Rock, AR
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - 6-10 overnight stays per month.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
21KSC-SBX0860-0512-11-12
Control number
614268100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens or Nationals.

Duties

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WHAT IS THE SMALL BUSINESS/SELF-EMPLOYED (SB/SE) DIVISION? The Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) Division provides examinations and taxpayer education services for about 7 million small businesses and upwards of 33 million self-employed and supplemental income taxpayers. SB/SE taxpayers generally have higher incomes than most taxpayers, need to file twice as many tax forms, and generally need to rely more on paid tax preparers and the taxpayer education outreach activities of the IRS.

WHAT DOES AN INTERNAL REVENUE AGENT DO? An Internal Revenue Agent (IRA) conducts examinations of entities including individuals, sole proprietorships, small corporations, partnerships, and fiduciaries that may involve a number of separate tasks or procedures. In this position, you will use your professional knowledge and skill in accounting and auditing techniques and practices to examine various tax returns, determine the correct tax liability, identify situations with potential for understated taxes, and to recognize potential fraud. Many situations may require a specialized knowledge of a particular industry and/or may involve varied or complex systems of accounting. In addition, you will interact with taxpayers and their representatives from varied socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, provide examination findings, interpretations of tax laws and regulations, and other necessary information to ensure future compliance.

As an Internal Revenue Agent you will: 

Exam

  • Examine and audit individual, business and corporate tax returns to determine correct federal tax liabilities.
  • Examine and analyze books, records and accounting systems, conduct interviews, and utilize other fact finding techniques to obtain the information necessary to determine the correct tax liability.
  • Conduct field examinations and discuss findings with the taxpayer or their representative, perform package audits to ensure compliance, and determine need for multiple year examinations based on findings.
  • Interact with taxpayers, tax attorneys, enrolled agents, certified public accountants and other practitioners in conducting day to day operations.

If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties, and will receive training to help you grow in this position.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OTHER IRS CAREERS? If you want to find out more about IRS careers, visit us on the web at www.jobs.irs.gov.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Refer to Other Information.
  • Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.

  • (1) Oklahoma City, OK and/or Tulsa, OK
  • (1) Phoenix, AZ or Mesa, AZ
  • (2) Pittsburgh, PA
  • (1) Portland, OR
  • (2) Portsmouth, NH and/or Manchester, NH and/or Nashua, NH
  • (1) Richmond, VA or Roanoke, VA
  • (1) Rochester, NY
  • (2) San Antonio, TX and/or Austin, TX
  • (1) San Diego, CA
  • (2) San Francisco and/or Oakland, CA and/or San Jose, CA
  • (1) Santa Ana, CA
  • (1) Seattle, WA
  • (1) South Portland, ME or Augusta, ME
  • (1) Springfield, MO or Little Rock, AR
  • (1) Syracuse, NY
  • (1) Waukesha, WI or Milwaukee, WI
  • (1) White Plains, NY
  • (2) Wilmington, NC and/or Greensboro, NC

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement:  

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: All Grade Levels
You must have a Bachelor's or higher degree in accounting from an accredited college or university that included at least 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in accounting or 24 semester hours in accounting and an additional 6 semester hours in related subjects such as business law, economics, statistical/quantitative methods, computerized accounting or financial systems, financial management or finance. OR A combination of experience and education at an accredited college or university equivalent to a four year degree that included courses equivalent to a major in accounting, i.e. at least 30 semester hours in accounting or 24 semester hours in accounting and 6 semester hours in related subjects as described above. OR A Certificate as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) obtained through written examination in a State, territory or the District of Columbia. OR Are currently serving as an Internal Revenue Agent GS-0512 and have been in this position for at least one year or was previously an Internal Revenue Agent GS-0512 and held the position for at least one year. In addition to the above qualifications, you must possess the following professional accounting knowledges: Principles of Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, Cost Accounting, Advanced Accounting, and Auditing.

In addition to the above, you must meet the requirements described below:

GS-11 LEVEL: You must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes knowledge of and skill in applying professional accounting principles, concepts and methodology in the examination of accounting books, records and systems; skill in interpreting and applying tax law for individuals and business and/or exempt organizations; knowledge of business and trade practices to analyze business operations and financial conditions; and skill in interacting effectively in a wide range of situations with a broad range of individuals. Examples of experience qualifying as specialized include: (This list is not inclusive) Experience in interpreting and applying professional accounting and auditing techniques and practices to examine various tax returns of individuals and/or business organizations. Examining accounting systems and records including computerized accounting and financial information systems which reflect a variety of complex financial operations. Gathering and researching data from a variety of sources, and/or specialized accounting practices unique to a particular trade or industry. The interpretation and application of Federal tax law for individuals, business and/or exempt organizations, partnerships, and corporations. OR

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field such as Accounting, business, finance, law, economics, management, statistical/quantitative methods, or computer science. OR

You may qualify by a combination of experience and education

GS-12 LEVEL: GS-12 LEVEL: You must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Experience with progressively responsible and diversified professional accounting or auditing work that required the application of professional accounting principles, theory, and practices to analyze and interpret accounting books, records, or systems specifically to determine their effect on Federal tax liabilities and their adequacy for recording transactions affecting tax liabilities; Experience with the interpretation and application of Federal tax law for individuals, business and/or exempt organizations, partnerships, and corporations; Experience with business and trade practices to develop tax issues based on analysis and evaluation of overall business operations and financial condition; Experience in corporate financial transactions and financial management principles and practices; Experience interacting effectively with a broad range of individuals and negotiating with specialists in accounting, legal, tax, and other similar business related professions. Experience preparing written reports and analyses, and articulating and communicating results and analyses orally and in writing.

- The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-timework; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis.
- To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.

Education

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Additional information

63 (Sixty-Three) Positions are located in Small Business/Self Employed (SB/SE), Deputy Commissioner Exam, Specialty Exam, Estate & Gift/Excise Tax Exam at the following:

  • (1) Albany, NY
  • (1) Baltimore, MD or Annapolis, MD
  • (3) Birmingham, MD and/or Mobile, AL and/or Huntsville, AL
  • (1) Bloomington, MN
  • (2) Brockton, MA and/or Boston, MA and/or Worchester, WA and/or Stoneham, MA
  • (1) Cedar Rapids, IA
  • (1) Chesterfield, MO
  • (1) Cincinnati, OH, or Columbus, OH or Dayton, OH, or Independence, OH or Toledo, OH
  • (1) Columbia, SC
  • (1) Denver, CO or Salt Lake City, UT or Ogden, UT
  • (2) Detroit, MI
  • (3) Downers Grove, IL
  • (2) El Monte, CA and/or Glendale, CA and/or Los Angeles, CA
  • (1) El Paso, TX
  • (1) Farmers Branch, TX or Fort Worth, TX
  • (1) Fresno, CA or Stockton, CA
  • (1) Grand Rapids, MI
  • (1) Hauppauge, NY
  • (2) Houston, TX
  • (2) Indianapolis, IN, and/or Springfield, IL
  • (3) Jackson, MS, and/or Gulfport, MS and/or Tupelo, MS
  • (1) Las Vegas, NV
  • (1) Lees Summit or Overland Park, KS
  • (1) Lexington, KY or Louisville, KY
  • (1) Memphis, TN
  • (2) Mountainside, NJ
  • (1) Nashville, TN
  • (1) New York NY

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS 98732 (GS-12), 98733 (GS-11);
A PM/C SharePoint site is available for IRS Employees at: https://organization.ds.irsnet.gov/sites/HCOETS/PMC/SPDLibrary/SitePages/Home.aspx

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  •  Relocation expenses – “no” . 
  •  This is a  bargaining unit position.
  •  We offer opportunities for telework.
  •  Must meet IRS telework eligibility requirements
  •  We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.
  •  A 1-year probationary period is required.
  •  Tour of Duty:   Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Must successfully complete a background investigation including an FBI criminal history record check (fingerprint check).
  • Complete a http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the https://www.sss.gov/ or are exempt from having to do so.
  • Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
  • Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-9.pdf.  Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. These https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/acceptable-documents/list-documents/form-i-9-acceptable-documents must be unexpired original or certified copies.  
  • Provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. (Birth certificate showing birth in the U.S; Unexpired U.S. passport; Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization; or Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen (Form FS-240)).
  • Undergo an income tax verification and review of prior performance/conduct.
  • The employment of any candidate, including a current employee or a new hire, selected for this position may be conditional upon classification and/or audit of federal tax returns.  This audit may include up to 2 years of returns.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a “not qualified” determination.

Rating: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas: Decision Making, Interpersonal Skills, Planning and Evaluating, and Accounting Knowledge. Category rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.

If you are eligible and qualified for this position, you will receive electronic information directing you to the assessment process after the closing date of the announcement. This electronic information will include directions for accessing the assessment website and user log-in. The assessment process measures knowledge of accounting (basic, intermediate, advanced, cost, auditing) and general competencies (problem solving, interpersonal skills, self-management, decision-making, oral communications).  

If you pass the on-line assessment, you will be assigned to one of two quality level categories, (i.e., A/B = Best Qualified, C = Qualified) depending on your overall score from the assessment.

Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Preference-eligibles will be listed at the top of their assigned category and considered before non-preference-eligibles in that category. Qualified preference-eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest category for this position, except at the GS-09 and above. 

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. Candidates will be interviewed in category order. We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must receive a score of category A/B to be rated as “well qualified" to receive special selection priority.
You will only be allowed to take the assessment once in a 12-month period. If you choose to retake the assessments after 12 months, your most current score will be used.


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