DEPT OF REVENUE

Address:  1600 W Monroe Street, Phoenix AZ 85007

Salary: $62,000 

Grade: 23

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Serves as the team lead and subject-matter-expert within their unit and is responsible for the workflow coordination of the team, mentoring team members, and serving as the first point of escalation. This role conducts difficult audits, medium to large in scale, of individual and corporate income tax, withholding tax, and/or emerging tax audits. These responsibilities are completed using acceptable audit methods and procedures to ensure taxpayers are in compliance with Arizona tax law, rulings, case law. Additionally, part of the lead duties include supporting, training, and monitoring calls of the Individual Audit Call Center. This role is also responsible for collecting and analyzing data, planning and organizing audit procedures, and examining and reviewing financial records to prepare detailed reports of audit findings.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely in a hybrid 50/50 manner, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Team Lead

• Serves as subject-matter expert in the functional role
• Is the first point of escalation for those in the functional roles
• Coordinates workflow for peer team members in the functional roles
• Serves as a peer mentor to others in functional roles
• Provides "back up" monitoring for supervisor as needed
• Contributes toward positive team culture

Tax Refund and Audit Reviews

• Conducts the most complex audits involving the accurate calculation and application of tax laws, rules and regulations, policies and procedures of the department in a consistent manner to all taxpayers.
• May include accurate and timely examination of audits and determining and recomputing tax liabilities, and/or detailed review and determination of penalty abatement requests.
• May elicit clarifying information, accept evidence, evaluate both testimony in a written decision and prepare case files.
• Fully documents audits to support the department's position and maintain the audit file in an orderly manner. Prepare work papers, audit reports and weekly reports.
• Performs and supports other audit functions, including research, examination, ticket/email resolution and tax system maintenance for accounts flagged for potential fraud
• Makes adjustments to taxpayer accounts in the tax system and tax system data cleanup to, including those accounts flagged for potential fraud

Research & Analysis

• Researches difficult issues and resolve taxpayer appeals timely, fairly, accurately and consistently
• Explains audit adjustments and conclusions to taxpayers and their representatives
• Discusses audit adjustments and positions with taxpayers and/or representatives
• Reviews work of other auditors
• Educates taxpayers in tax law, rules and regulations and ensures taxpayer compliance through the audit process.

Agency/Department Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Remains current on all laws, regulations, policies, and best practices related to taxation through regular engagement in activities such as: self-directed research, conferring with other practitioners and technical experts; subscriptions to regulatory/legal/industry newsletters and briefs; membership industry associations and attendance at meetings/events; and or participation in training and others continuing education opportunities.
• Actively contributes to team and individual effectiveness through the following: -
  • Attends staff meetings and huddles of work unit or district; and may cascade and track information as indicated
  • Completes all required training in a timely manner.
  • Leads and/or participates in assigned work teams as appropriate.
  • May complete periodic metrics, projects, huddle boards and reports as requested.
  • Prepares for and actively participates in 1:1 coaching with supervisor
• Maximizes work processes and deliverables through lean principles within the Arizona Management System (AMS); and provides recommendations for process improvement, and engages in continuous improvement efforts as assigned.
• Attends and represents the department both at informal and formal hearings and conducts audit work in the field, in- or out-of-state

Education & Experience

• Any combination that meets the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA); typical ways KSAs are obtained may include but are not limited to: a relevant degree from an accredited college or university such as Bachelor’s Degree (e.g., B.A.), training, coursework, and work experience relevant to the assignment

• Minimum three (3) years’ related experience as an Auditor, or equivalent experience

Knowledge/Understanding
Advanced knowledge of individual income, corporate income, fiduciary and withholding tax policy and procedures
Advanced knowledge of applicable federal and state tax laws, statutes, and codes
Advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
Advanced knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS)

Skills
Strong communications skills, to include verbal, written, and active listening
Strong mathematical computation skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentage, and averages
Strong organization and time management skills with the ability to make measurable progress on multiple priorities
Strong interpersonal skills and demeanor
Proficient in the use of a PC/laptop in a Windows environment; in the use of the Internet; and in the use of Google Suite applications such as Gmail, Sheets, Docs, and Drive
Strong proficiency and skill in the use of Microsoft Excel and tax reporting/accounting systems

Abilities
Ability to clear a comprehensive background and clearance process that includes an Arizona tax compliance verification, and a criminal background check through the FBI via level one fingerprint clearance through the Arizona Department of Public Safety
Ability to encourage collaboration and facilitate healthy working relationships between employees
Ability to motivate team members and encourage productivity and passion for the job, which includes mentoring team members, recognizing accomplishments, and providing rewarding and challenging work
Ability to work in a confidential manner, ensuring information is shared with internal and external individuals in an appropriate manner
Ability to understand and solve problems by applying advanced analytical skills to include collecting all the relevant information and data needed to address the problem; organizing, classifying and synthesizing the data into fundamental issues; from the information, identifying the most probable causes of the problem; reducing the information down into manageable components; identifying the logical outcomes from the analyses of the data collected; and, identifying the options and solutions for addressing the problems analyzed.
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time to conduct field audit work and/or participate in hearings
Willingness and ability to embody ADOR’s core values of Do the Right Thing, Commit to Excellence, and Care About One Another

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or closely related field
• Experience with Continuous Improvement, LEAN
• Auditing related certification (any of):
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
  • Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP)
    

The final candidate will be required to abide by the the following pre-employment checks:
-Employment Verification and Reference Checks
-State and Federal Criminal Background Check, including fingerprinting
-Arizona Tax Filing Records Check
-If applicable, ASEDRA Authorized Driver Identification Check

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides a world class comprehensive benefits package including:
-Paid time off for holidays, sick days, annual leave, military leave, bereavement leave, and civic duty leave
-Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
-A robust and affordable insurance plan that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term, and long-term disability options.
-Higher education discounts for State employees and tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per fiscal year, available to seek further career advancement or certification in Continuing Professional Education.
-Work-life balance and additional options for life betterment such as the Infant at Work Program, State Wellness Program, Public Transit Discounts, Alternate Work Schedules, and Telework opportunities.

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Top ranked Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) provides 100% employer matched contributions (enrollment eligibility will be effective after 27 weeks of State employment). ASRS provides a lifelong benefit based on years of service earned, or worked, and your ending salary. Learn more about ASRS at: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/new-and-prospective-members.

If you have any questions, need assistance, or would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the ADOR Talent Team at talentgroup@azdor.gov.

*The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.