Tax Field Auditor

State of Montana•Laurel, MT

4h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Tax Field Auditor is a staff-level compliance, audit, and employer education position within the Unemployment Insurance Division. The role reviews employer unemployment insurance tax reporting, examines financial and legal records, and researches employment relationships to determine whether wages have been reported accurately. The auditor prepares detailed audit reports, follows up on delinquent quarterly payroll reports and associated taxes, and explains reporting requirements to employers and their representatives. The work calls for independent judgment, attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the application of accounting, payroll, auditing, and regulatory principles. Most audits are completed remotely. Occasional travel may be required to employer worksites, accounting offices, or payroll provider locations for onsite audit work. Employees must reside within Montana.

Requirements

Experience applying advanced accounting and/or payroll reporting principles, such as in accounting, payroll, financial auditing, tax reporting, compliance review, or financial analysis.
Experience reviewing, analyzing, reconciling, and auditing detailed financial documentation to determine accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
Ability to interpret and apply state or federal laws, administrative rules, policies, reporting requirements, or technical standards to employer reporting and compliance situations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical requirements clearly and professionally to stakeholders.
Proficiency using Microsoft Word and Excel to prepare correspondence, reports, analyses, audit documentation, and work records.
A valid driver’s license, as travel to employer worksites, accounting offices, or payroll provider locations may be required.
Ability to apply accounting and auditing principles; analyze detailed, incomplete, or conflicting information; identify relevant facts and assess risk; and make accurate, well-supported determinations.
Ability to communicate respectfully, use effective interviewing techniques, remain objective in potentially adverse situations, and make informed decisions under pressure.
Ability to independently organize and prioritize multiple audits, contacts, documents, deadlines, and follow-up activities while maintaining accurate and timely work.
Ability to use electronic reporting tools, document management systems, audit databases, and other department technology.
Employees for the State of Montana must reside within Montana.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of unemployment insurance tax law and rules.
Experience with mainstream accounting software.
Experience with accounting software, payroll systems, databases, or electronic reporting tools.
A degree in accounting, business, or a related field, or coursework that includes advanced-level accounting; this may supplement relevant professional experience but does not substitute for demonstrated skills and competencies.

Responsibilities

Conduct unemployment insurance tax audits in accordance with U.S. Department of Labor quality standards and established audit measures.
Review payroll records, financial statements, tax returns, accounting records, and other legal or business documents to verify wage reporting.
Research business and employment relationships to identify potentially misclassified or unreported wages and other reporting concerns.
Document audit work, prepare clear and complete reports, support conclusions with relevant records, and communicate required corrections or follow-up actions.
Contact employers to obtain delinquent quarterly payroll reports and associated unemployment insurance taxes and support timely resolution of outstanding obligations.
Explain unemployment insurance tax laws, administrative rules, reporting requirements, and electronic filing tools to employers and their representatives.
Develop constructive working relationships with employers and business representatives and serve as a local contact for UI Contributions and other department services.
Conduct audits remotely and travel when necessary to employer worksites, accountant offices, or payroll provider locations.

Benefits

Hybrid schedules or partial telework may be available within Montana.
38 paid days off a year, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
Up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.
Longevity raises with continuous service, as well as negotiated market increases and state statutory raises.
Health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage, plus flexible spending accounts and an employee assistance program.
Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics through the medical plan.
Choice between two retirement plans with an employer contribution between 8.73% and 9.07% of annual salary; an optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan is also available.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility may apply to State of Montana employment.
Career progression, training opportunities, and room for professional growth.
State employee discounts at various businesses across the state.
The position may be covered by a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA).