Sales and Use Tax Auditor

• Closing Date: 05/08/2024
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Revenue Department / Revenue-MAPE
• Division/Unit: Sales & Use Tax Division / Sales-OOS Unit 2
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes, up to 25%
• Salary Range: $30.55 - $45.02 / hourly; $63,788 - $94,001 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Employee/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Job Summary

This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

This position is located in the Madison, WI area.

The candidates hired and new to this job classification may be eligible to receive a $5,000 hiring bonus! This bonus will be paid in two increments, with the first payment made after successfully passing the probationary period. 

A $1,000 Referral Bonus may be offered to Revenue staff that recruit new talent hired at Revenue, in this position. To submit your referral, email: allison.claeson@state.mn.us using subject line ‘Employee Referral’ and include candidate’s name and this job posting ID, prior to candidate being selected.

The Revenue Tax Specialist Senior performs highly difficult and specialized tax administration work to ensure compliance with Minnesota tax laws.  This position is responsible for independently conducting sales and use tax audits involving complex tax issues by applying appropriate law, policy, and procedures; informing taxpayers of the problems or discrepancies found in records; providing information to the taxpayer; providing service and education to external and internal customers; and other related duties as assigned.  This position will utilize emerging technology to transfer and convert taxpayer data and use advanced sampling methods such as MTC Sampling or Statistical Stratified as the situation or size of the data warrants.

The work performed will include travel to locations both inside and outside Madison, Wisconsin; up to Appleton, Stevens Point, Wausau, Black River Falls, and surrounding areas to perform on-site audit review of taxpayer records.  It will also include performing audit review duties in the office by using department resources to complete portions of the audit work electronically.

A secure and reliable Internet connection, sufficient to support business applications, is required when teleworking. High-speed Internet (25Mbps) is recommended.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Three (3) years of full-time professional experience in accounting or auditing

OR

Certification (satisfactory completion of probation) as a Revenue Tax Specialist, Intermediate.

*A business-related degree as determined by the agency may substitute for experience as follows: An associate degree may substitute for 6 months of experience. Bachelor's degree may substitute one (1) year of experience; master’s degree substitutes for eighteen (18) months of experience; PhD substitutes for twenty-four (24) months of experience.

Applicants who meet the above requirements will be further evaluated through the interview process on the following:

• Knowledge of accounting and auditing principles and practices
• Technical tax knowledge, including court rulings, regulations and administrative policies and procedures
• Customer service and interpersonal skills sufficient to interact and negotiate with taxpayers and/or their representatives
• Leadership skills and the ability to plan, direct, and review the work of others
• Knowledge of personal computer operation and software programs used by the department in its internal and external operations
• Communication and presentation skills
• Knowledge of electronic processing accounting systems
• Knowledge of electronic filing/processing systems
• Skills in reading comprehension
• Skill in problem-solving
• Skill in analysis

Must have reliable transportation or a valid class D driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business & Administration, Business Management or Marketing or related degree as determined by the agency
• Master's in Accounting, Finance, Taxation, Business Administration, or related degree as determined by the agency, or CPA
• Willing to travel outside the assigned territory at least 1 week per year
• Experience working with large Fortune 500 corporations, retailers with several store locations, and/or large companies with a presence in multiple states
• Experience with statistical sampling
• Experience planning and performing an out-of-state audit trip
• Work experience in the Sales and Use tax area

Physical Requirements

Requires occasional moving of articles such as boxes, accounting records, laptop computer, and portable printer.

Additional Requirements

Prior to an offer of employment, a background check will be conducted. This will include, but is not limited to checking degrees and licensures, criminal history, and tax filing and payment history. All individual income tax filing and payment obligations must be current prior to interviewing for this position.

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Application Details

How to Apply 

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Allison Claeson at allison.claeson@state.mn.us or 651-556-6771.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Allison Claeson at allison.claeson@state.mn.us.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for this interview and/or testing process, please contact the Department of Revenue ADA Coordinator at revenue.eai@state.mn.us.

About Revenue Dept 

The Minnesota Department of Revenue works to fund the future for all of Minnesotans. We manage over 30 different taxes and collect $26.7 billion annually in state taxes, which funds state programs such as healthcare, transportation, public safety, and early childhood, K-12, and higher education.

Revenue is dedicated to an inclusive work environment that celebrates and values the diversity of each employee and reflects the communities we serve. We're committed to a culture of inclusion where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work and thrive.

We value a work life balance for our employees, and many of our employees telework in a full or hybrid capacity. For those that come to the office, regularly or occasionally, we invested in a state-of-the-art hybrid workspace located at the Stassen building in St. Paul.

Find out more about us on our website. 

Why Work for Us 

Diverse Workforce 

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found: 

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission 
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs 
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job 
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule 

Comprehensive Benefits 

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include: 

• Public pension plan 
• Training and professional development 
• Paid vacation and sick leave 
• 11 paid holidays each year 
• Paid parental leave 
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage 
• Prescription drug coverage 
• Vision coverage 
• Wellness programs and resources 
• Employer paid life insurance 
• Short-term and long-term disability 
• Health care spending and savings accounts 
• Dependent care spending account 
• Tax-deferred compensation 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program 

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota. 

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.