Field Auditor

State of Iowa•State of Iowa - See Job Description, IA

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

Iowa Workforce Development is seeking applicants for the position of Field Auditor. This position will be domiciled at one of the following Iowa WORKS Centers: Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Denison, Des Moines, Marshalltown, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City, Spencer, or Waterloo, IA. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented and professional individual who is committed to accuracy, confidentiality, and exceptional customer service. This role requires traveling between work sites, communicating effectively with staff and customers, and maintaining a high standard of courtesy and cooperation in all interactions. Responsibilities include reviewing legal contracts, financial records, general ledgers, correspondence, and employer-prepared documents to assess compliance with applicable tax laws. The position also requires applying basic accounting principles, utilizing computer systems and standard office software to complete work accurately and efficiently, and operating common office equipment. Success in this role depends on strong organizational skills, the ability to prioritize multiple tasks, keen attention to detail, and a commitment to safeguarding confidential information.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of twelve semester or equivalent hours in accounting, business administration or finance, and eighteen months of full-time professional auditing or accounting experience
OR an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of work experience in auditing or accounting work involving the preparation or analysis of financial statements for every thirty semester hours of the required education to a maximum of four years
OR employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes twelve months of full-time work as an Accountant/Auditor 1.
The Board and its staff are required to comply with the Board’s Code of Ethics which can be found in Iowa Administrative Code rule 351-1.4.

Nice To Haves

Detail-oriented and professional individual committed to accuracy, confidentiality, and exceptional customer service.
Ability to travel between work sites.
Effective communication skills.
High standard of courtesy and cooperation.
Strong organizational skills.
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
Keen attention to detail.
Commitment to safeguarding confidential information.
Applying basic accounting principles.
Utilizing computer systems and standard office software.
Operating common office equipment.

Responsibilities

Perform tax audits of accounting records of business organizations, individuals, and partnerships by examining financial statements, balance sheets, sales, and statistical reports, etc.
Evaluate and determine consistency of accounting and records-keeping procedures in relation to Iowa tax liabilities. Audits may be performed when there is an omission of wage records, fraudulent or incorrect reporting, determination of liability, questionable employer-employee relationship, independent contractor status, missing wages investigation, cross match with federal unemployment tax returns, or mandated Federal requirements.
Investigate business establishments through field investigations, to determine legal status of employers regarding their liability for state taxes. Must determine if employer is profit-making organization or non-profit organization, i.e., sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, political subdivision, agricultural, domestic, construction, etc. After determination of their obligation under the law, must determine how rate is computed and the proper way to file reports and pay taxes.
Investigate changes in business ownership to determine liability of successor employer for transfer of experience rating and to update and correct agency records. Explains effects of successorship to both predecessor and successor so they know their legal position regarding reserve fund balances, chargeability for future benefits, and in some cases the possibility of successor liability for predecessor indebtedness.
Interprets Iowa Employment Security Laws as a representative of the department for accountants, CPA's, attorneys, political subdivisions, and employers in the area. Speak to organizations explaining and discussing laws administered by Iowa Workforce Development. Answer inquiries concerning benefit payments, chargebacks, transfer of charges, reimbursable accounts, new tax liability provisions, etc. Conducts and assists other investigators for potential fraud, misreporting and/or employer contribution errors to obtain underpayment and determination if fraud or misreporting has occurred. Reviews findings of Quality Control for assigned area and prepares records and reports to update and/or change agency records.
Investigates employers who are delinquent in filing their wage reports and/or paying their contributions. This can involve entering into payment agreements on behalf of the agency for delinquent contributions, filing liens, serving jeopardy assessments, distress warrants and/or investigating assets to be secured or securing total payment. Must review the status of the employer and account prior to contact relative to bankruptcy, successorship, business closing, etc. to determine.
Investigates employers for incorrect or omitted wage credits. Interrogation of employers and employees may be necessary to make a legal determination as to the status of the employing unit (employer/employee relationship). Secures all necessary wage information so the claimant will have the correct wage credit available for benefit payments. Also investigates business closings for proper determination of additional claims benefits.
Appears as a representative for the Iowa Workforce Development to verify legal points of the law and/ or supply facts relating to liability determinations, rate computations, and other issues that are being appealed by the employer. In the absence of the Unemployment Insurance Legal Counsel, will cross examine witnesses to clarify the position of Iowa Workforce Development. May testify at administrative district court and grand jury hearings to present facts and evidence concerning agency employer investigations.