As an auditor for the IRS, you will conduct tax audits at a federal, state or local level. IRS auditors, who may also be referred to simply as IRS agents, will review everything from simple individual tax filings to more complex tax filings of corporations, sole proprietors and other complex entities. When you are hired with the Internal Revenue Service, you could work with a specific type of entity or a specific type of tax issue, like employment tax or international transactions. When you are preparing to apply for a tax compliance or IRS auditor position, it is important to know about the qualifications you must possess to get hired. Here is your guide to getting hired with the IRS.

What Are the Experience and Educational Requirements for IRS Auditors?

If you would like to become an IRS auditor, the first step will be enrolling in a formal degree program so that you have the experience you need to be eligible for an entry-level position. Entry-level auditing positions are referred to as IRS tax examiner, and currently, anyone applying to become an examiner must have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or at least 1 year of experience working as an accountant or a tax analyst. If you do not currently possess a Bachelor’s degree but you do have experience under your belt, you may be able to get hired on with the IRS if you have completed 30 credit units towards your degree.

Tax compliance officers, who are mid-career level professionals, need similar experience as examiners. As an entry to mid-level career, compliance officers will need to pass a competency in accounting and have at least 6 semester hours in accounting coursework completed to be considered for this position. When competition is fierce, those with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting who have at least 1 year of professional experience will be given priority. If you are interested in applying for a senior-level position, you must have a Bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting, possess 1 year of accounting and auditing experience and be a licensed CPA.

Demand for IRS Auditors and Benefits of Working for the IRS

The demand for IRS examiners and auditors is not entirely known because of upcoming federal, state and local legislation. The demand for professionals within the field will depend upon the budgets of all of these agencies, but as examiners and auditors retire there will be a need for college-educated professionals to replace these professionals. If you would like to fill this demand and average a salary of $50,440 per year, working for the IRS could be the answer. Not only will you enjoy a regular work schedule and a good work and life balance, you will enjoy many advancement opportunities through the IRS. As with most government positions, you will receive employee benefits that are unmatched by private sector jobs.

Now that you know the educational and the professional requirements for each career level within auditing, your next step is fulfilling the qualifications. With your degree, or the appropriate amount of credits, you can get your foot in the door and work for the IRS as tax laws are changing and the need for knowledgeable accountants grows. Be an auditor for the IRS, and be a valuable IRS agent.

Resources: