Internal Revenue Agent (Employee Plans Agent)

Internal Revenue Service • Glendale, AZ

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Internal Revenue Agent (Employee Plans Agent) works in the Tax Exempt & Government Entities Division, Employee Plans Examinations. The role involves reviewing determination letter applications and related information, applying technical tests to verify that pension, profit-sharing, and stock-bonus plan governing documents comply with the Internal Revenue Code and other regulatory provisions, and conducting on-site audits of returns filed for these plans.

The agent examines plan operations, including payroll and internal control systems, and assesses whether practices and procedures comply with the governing plan document, the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, and IRS guidance. The position also evaluates contributions and benefits to ensure participants receive proper benefits without discrimination in favor of highly compensated employees, and that sponsor contributions comply with applicable requirements. This includes coverage and elective deferral testing and determining correction methods when a plan does not comply with its governing document or applicable law.

Positions may be filled in the Pacific Coast, Gulf Coast, Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, or Northeast areas. The official post of duty will be the selected location. Alternative work schedules and staggered work hours may be available. A government-issued charge card is required for business travel, and a camera application may be required during the interview process. Employment may be conditional on classification and/or an audit of up to two years of federal tax returns.

Requirements

• Meet the basic accounting requirement through a CPA certificate; a bachelor's or higher degree in accounting with at least 30 semester hours in accounting, or 24 semester hours in accounting plus 6 semester hours in related subjects; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• For GS-07, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 involving accounting, auditing, tax, financial, legal, or related work demonstrating professional accounting knowledge and effective communication skills; or meet an alternative education or superior academic achievement qualification.
• Alternatively, qualify for GS-07 through one full year of graduate-level education in a related field, superior academic achievement in a qualifying bachelor's curriculum, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Current civilian employees must meet the time-after-competitive-appointment requirement of at least 90 days of federal civilian service since their latest qualifying non-temporary competitive appointment.
• For grades above GS-05, meet the applicable time-in-grade requirement of 52 weeks at the next lower grade; the posting also states a specific restriction for advancement to GS-05 after holding GS-02 within the past 52 weeks.
• Provide required evidence of equivalency for education completed at foreign colleges or universities.

Responsibilities

• Analyze determination letter applications and related information for pension, profit-sharing, and stock-bonus plans.
• Apply technical tests to verify that plan governing documents comply with the Internal Revenue Code and other regulatory provisions.
• Perform on-site audits of returns filed in connection with employee plans.
• Review plan operating mechanics, payroll and internal control systems, and operational compliance with plan documents, the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, and IRS guidance.
• Evaluate contributions and benefits to confirm participants receive their proper benefits and that plans do not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees.
• Verify that plan sponsor contributions comply with governing plan documents, the Internal Revenue Code, and applicable regulations.
• Conduct coverage and elective deferral testing and identify correction methods for plan noncompliance.

Benefits

• Alternative work schedule and staggered work hours may be available.
• The posting refers applicants to information about IRS employee benefits but does not list specific benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level