Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens/Nationals who have completed a degree or certificate from a qualifying education institution within the previous 2 years or are within 9 months of graduating. Veterans unable to apply within 2 years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have a full 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. The eligibility period for veterans must be within 6 years of degree completion.

IRS Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Selected applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. In addition, the IRS implemented the new IRS Forward Recent Graduate Program that includes an additional year of formal development, training, networking, project teams, and may include rotational assignments.

Following the completion of program requirements, selectees may be considered for non-competitive conversion to a career/career-conditional or term appointment. All conversion requirements will be identified in the Participant Agreement. Program requirements include but are not limited to:

• Successful completion of at least 1 to 2 years of continuous service depending on the position;
• Completion of at least 40 hours of interactive training;
• Mentorship;
• Demonstration of successful job performance; and
• Meet the qualification position standards.
• Conversion to the competitive service is not implied or guaranteed.
• If selected, you will be placed in a developmental position as an Internal Revenue Agent, GS-0512, 5/7/9 with promotion potential to GS-12 in one the division(s) listed below:

Small Business Self Employed (SBSE) you will:
Assist in managing an inventory of tax cases. Examine books and records, utilizes appropriate interviewing and fact-finding techniques to ascertain the correct tax liability specializing in the areas of Income Tax Withholding, Federal Insurance Contributions Act, and Federal Unemployment Tax Act. Apply basic knowledge of Internal Revenue Code, rulings, court decisions, agencies policies, regulations, and practices to determine the correct tax liability. Conduct independent field examinations of a variety of small business taxpayers. Recognizes indicators of fraudulent activity and discusses them with management for proper development. Performs "package audits" to ensure compliance with all Federal tax laws. Prepare work papers and reports documenting findings and conclusions.

Tax Exempt and Government Entities (TEGE) you will:
Examine books and records, utilizes appropriate interviewing and fact-finding techniques with regard to employee plans, exempt organizations or government entities to ensure compliance with the laws governing tax liabilities, financial transactions, employee plans, and/or exempt status. Interact with pension trustees, corporate, exempt organization, governmental and individual taxpayers, attorneys, certified public accountants, enrolled agents and other practitioners. Apply basic knowledge of Internal Revenue Code, rulings, court decisions, agencies policies, regulations, and practices, make necessary determinations and furnish advice to taxpayers and other Service employees on technical matters involving the functions of the organization(s), the effect of any proposed action or activities, and the consequences on collateral issues affecting taxability or exempt status. Prepare work papers and reports documenting findings and conclusions. Independently manage an inventory of cases.

Large Business and International (LB&I) you will: Assist in managing an inventory of tax cases. Examine books and records, utilizes appropriate interviewing and fact-finding techniques to ascertain the correct tax liability specializing in the areas of corporate consolidated tax law, pass through entities, and related matters. Apply basic knowledge of Internal Revenue Code, rulings, court decisions, agencies policies, regulations, court case analyses, and practices to determine the correct tax liability. Conduct independent field examinations of a variety of large business taxpayers. Recognizes indicators of fraudulent activity and discusses them with management for proper development. Performs reviews to ensure compliance with all Federal tax laws. Prepare work papers and reports documenting findings and conclusions.

A description of the business unit can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions

The following are the duties of this position at the full working level. You will have the opportunity to learn to perform these duties and will receive training to help you grow in this position.

• Conduct independent examinations and related investigations of complex income tax returns filed by individuals or business/organizational entities
• Utilize standard accounting methods and techniques during the course of examinations in order to develop information regarding the income and financial operations of taxpayers
• Examine accounting systems and records including computerized accounting and financial information systems which reflect a variety of complex financial operations

Conditions of employment

-You will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
-Undergo an income tax verification and review of prior performance/conduct.
-All selectees must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement.
-Subject to a 1-year trial period (unless already completed).
-Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a FBI criminal history record check (fingerprint check).
-Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment 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 Selective Service System 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 Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
-Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday, at a to be determined Day Time Shift
-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.
-Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
-Undergo an income tax verification and review of prior performance/conduct.

Qualifications

In the Recent Graduates Program you may qualify based solely on education, experience or a combination of both. You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

In order to successfully complete the Recent Graduates Program, you must complete 1 year in the position, a minimum of at least 40 hours of interactive training, and demonstration of successful job performance. If for any reason you do not successfully complete the program you will be returned to the previous grade of the same or similar position you previously held within IRS prior to being selected for the Recent Graduates Program.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS 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. For more information on the required accounting knowledges please refer to Internal Revenue Agent Basic Requirements.

This knowledge is typically acquired by completion of an accounting degree from a four-year college or university. If not from an academic environment, the knowledge can also be obtained from certain work experience.

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

GS-07 LEVEL: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Knowledge of and skill in applying the principle of accounting, auditing, tax, financial, legal or other work that required knowledge of and skill in applying the principles, concepts and methodology of professional accounting and related fields and skill in communicating and dealing effectively with others; OR One year of graduate education at an accredited college or university in accounting or related field of business, finance, law, economics, management, statistical/quantitative methods or computer science. OR Superior Academic Achievement may be met by having a Bachelor's degree, with one of the following: A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last 2 years of study, or a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all courses in the major field of study or those courses in the major completed in the last 2 years of study, or rank in the upper one third of the class in the college, university, or major subdivision, or membership in a national honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.

GS-09 LEVEL: You must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Knowledge of and skill in applying the principle of accounting, auditing, tax, financial, legal or other work that required knowledge of and skill in applying the principles, concepts and methodology of professional accounting and related fields and skill in communicating and dealing effectively with others; OR Two years of graduate level education leading to a master's degree or master's (or equivalent) degree in accounting or related field of business, finance, law, economics, management, statistical/quantitative methods or computer science.
For Grades 5 through 11: You may qualify by a combination of experience and education. Options for qualifying based on a combination will be identified in the online questions.

In addition to the above you must have, within the previous 2 years, completed all educational requirements for a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying institution; or intended graduation is no more than 9 months from date of application. *Veterans (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108) who, due to a military service obligation, were precluded from applying to a Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2 year eligibility period may have their eligibility period extended so that they receive the full 2 years of eligibility. The remaining 2-year eligibility period will begin upon his or her release or discharge from active duty. The veteran's eligibility period may not extend beyond 6 years from the date of completion of all requirements of an academic course of study.

-The experience may have been gained in either the public or private sector or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work 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.

In addition to the above requirements, you must meet the following, if applicable:

You must have been at the next lower grade level of the grade you are applying to for 52 weeks (time-in-grade requirement

For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be determined based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. 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.

In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process and meet all qualifications,

RATING: You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Accounting
• Auditing
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Interpersonal Skills
• Oral Communication
• Planning and Evaluating
• Self-Management
• Technology Application
• Writing

A category-like rating (Quality Group) will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three quality level categories, Superior/Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, and Qualified depending on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training related to this position. 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.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. Candidates, if required to participate in a selection interview (telephonic and/or in person at the discretion of the Selecting Official in accordance with hiring practices), will be interviewed in quality group order. We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site.

Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Preference-eligibles will be listed at the top of their assigned quality group and considered before non-preference-eligibles in that quality group. Qualified preference-eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality group for this position. For scientific and professional positions in grade GS-09 or higher, names of all qualified applicants are listed in order of their ratings, augmented by veteran preference, if any.