Excise Tax Examiner , In-Training; ARDE

Position Overview

Excise Tax Examiner 2 (in‑training) in the Audit Division's Account Research and Desk Examination (ARDE) unit. This role focuses on performing and resolving a full range of financial examinations, verifying business accounts, tax returns, audit reports, and assisting taxpayers and their representatives with proper reporting and compliance.

The hiring manager may begin screening applicants as early as January 20 2026
, and a hiring decision may be made at any time thereafter. Submit your materials promptly.

• Perform and resolve a full range of financial examinations.
• Verify business accounts, tax returns, audit reports, and other activity records to validate correct tax liability.
• Support taxpayers or their representatives regarding proper reporting and compliance with tax laws and policies.
• Work with unregistered businesses who voluntarily register to pay prior tax obligations.
• Assess the tax reporting responsibility of unregistered business leads.
• Perform pre‑audit planning activities.
• Provide technical support to department staff.
• Monitor mission‑critical tax reporting systems to ensure account integrity and data accuracy.
• Continuously monitor the department's tax‑accounting systems for weaknesses and effectiveness.
• Assist field audit personnel in research activities.

• Spreadsheet skills using basic formulas, tables, filtering, and sorting.
• Document composition skills, including clear formatting of messages.
• File organization and electronic file management.
• Timely management and response to emails.
• Intermediate analytical skills for problem solving and data synthesis.
• Research, interpretation, and application of federal and state tax laws.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments or projects simultaneously and adjust priorities to meet deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication, including conveying complex information in layman’s terms and handling challenging conversations.
• Interpersonal skills for individual and group work, negotiation, and persuasion.
• Independent decision‑making based on training and available information.
• Adaptability to changing ideas, responsibilities, strategies, and processes.
• Professional experience or education combining accounting, auditing, tax compliance, or tax administration; preferably four or more years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or 12 semester / 18 quarter hours of college‑level accounting.

• Complete the online application in detail.
• Attach a resume detailing your work experience.
• Attach a cover letter explaining how you meet the qualifications listed.
• Attach an unofficial copy of your transcript showing your accounting credits (recommended but not required).
• Note:
  
  Incomplete applications may be disqualified.

Please attach your DD‑214, member 4 long form, or your NGB‑22. Blackout your social security number and date of birth before attaching.

Hi, I’m Lance, a 20‑year Department of Revenue employee. I can answer any questions you have. Contact the Staffing team at Jobs.gov or call (360) 704‑5725.

The Department of Revenue is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and offer a respectful, inclusive culture for people with disabilities, as well as members of all protected groups and statuses. We encourage you to apply.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the Department of Revenue and the Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA). A background check, including criminal record history, will be conducted prior to a new hire. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered.