[pbnj]

Hiya 71,

I was wondering if anyone had experience in getting hired as a IRS revenue agent.

I applied like a month ago, and I just got an email saying that I am “Category A Superior Qualified” (… if that means anything significant… personally, it makes me feel like a jug of milk or carton of eggs… “Grade A pasteurized! Size AA!… lol)

Does anyone know what this is supposed to mean in relative of the hiring process? From what I read online, it seems the next step is a competency test and an interview, but that can be anywhere from a few days to a few years (wtf?!?!) supposedly. Any insight on what to expect or what questions that will be asked? Any insight will be awesome!

Also, since no accounting firms apparently want me, (my situation here) IRS isn’t a bad way to go, right? Also, would the transition from IRS to public accounting be easier? Any thoughts?

Thanks again!!!

[MAcc Grad_NDSU]

Check out Federal Soup.com, and look up the IRS forum, there is a ton of information in there about it. I made it my mission to get in once I graduated and actually made it to the interview stage…FYI, get ready for a long and slow process. It takes anywhere from 4-6 months to get a TO (tentative offer) and then you're not guaranteed anything until they complete a BI, three years of tax audits, and other paperwork. Really your best bet is to go find a thread at Federal Soup from the most recent round of hiring and read everything in there…there's a lot of mumble jumble, but plenty of relevant info.

IMO, you absolutely have to get a CAT-A score on your online assessment (competency test), unless you're a veteran, then you might get away with a CAT-B. Also, take into account where you are applying. Certain PODS are more competitive than others, I always selected large cities to increase my chances. This position is highly sought out due to the current economy, they are actually capping the number of apps for certain PODS (at least last year this time they were).

Your next step is to take the online assessment, which I mentioned. Waiting for your score is about a month. Then another month to get a call for an interview…then another month…so on, so forth…It's the gov't so get ready to be patient. The whole process takes about 6 months.

If you want to post an email address I could send you all the info I have on this position, if your serious about trying to get in…I have a goldmine of info for you.

Spend 3-5 years on the inside and I bet you'll never have another problem finding a job 🙂

BEC - 77 (exp. 2/23/12)
REG - 75
AUD - 10/12/11
FAR - 11/30/11

[Anonymous]

I believe Category A Super-Qualified is the rank that you are in based on the rating given to your application. In civil service, every applicant is given a rating and ranked according to their qualification for the job. Preference points are given if you are a veteran, blind, currently in civil service, etc. You basically stay on the list forever (well, not forever, i think after a certain time limit they send you a letter asking if you still want to be on the list), and then when there is a job opening, the agency will review the candidates in rank order. If there arent any candidates in rank A that they like, they go to rank B, etc.

Hope that helps. I know alot more about state civil service jobs than I do federal, but its pretty much the same process.

[pbnj]

@MAcc Grad_NDSU: Wow, that would be awesome! Just made an email: pbnj4321@yahoo.com Thanks!!!

@CalCPASoon: So pretty much all government/civil service uses that category system? Interesting…

[Anonymous]

Ya, county jobs are civil service too and use very similiar process. I think the rankings and classification names may be different (for example, “tier 1” instead of “Category A”), but still the same process.

I've been thinking alot about going into civil service. Right now I work for the state of california, but im a contracted employee. The pay is better in private, but you can't possibly beat the retirement benefits of a defined benefit plan!

[jackcpa]

did you apply for the tax compliance job at the end of june

[pbnj]

yeah… middle-ish of June

[jackcpa]

are you a veteran? what is the location that you applied for

[lauramaria]

Ranking of applicants at state govt. level:

Hi,

I am so happy I found this discussion, because I have a question about state government jobs.I just applied for a statewide position for entry-level accountants and I see that I my rank is 205. Does anyone have any clue what that means? I do not think it would be a good idea to call the application office , so I would appreciate any guess from anybody.

Thanks a lot

[jackcpa]

which job

[jackcpa]

it depends on which job but usually the you can call the application office because they have nothing do to with hiring did you apply for the tax compliance officer

[lauramaria]

The job is either accountant or auditor entry-level. Thanks so much

[jackcpa]

did you apply in ny

[lauramaria]

No, I did not apply in NY . I am not sure the info is confidential, so I am not going to say the state.

The rank is strange, though. I hope the extra points over 200 are a plus????

[Anonymous]

I think the rank of 205 is your rank within whatever tier or category you've fallen into. So for example, you are number 205 on the list of applicants within Tier 2. Do some research and learn more about the civil service process for your state.

[hamburg113]

Hi

This topic help me a lot in developing my project. I will contribute more when I finished it.

[Author]

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