[kukuna2008]

Hi Ninjas, need suggestion from you. Anyone have experience what State Revenue Agent does daily? Do they travel a lot? I am not very young and I would like to have a job spending more time in the office and less traveling. What’s the advantage and disadvantage of this job?

Thank you so much!

FAR - 83, 04/2015
AUD - 73, 86, 08/2015
REG - 75
BEC - 71, rematch in 04/2016

[taxgeek83]

Advantages – Job security & benefits. Some states have gone through furloughs and layoffs, but I think that era is pretty much over. Salaries aren't typically up to market, but retirement and health insurance are huge.

Disadvantages – Confrontation in a not so pleasant situation. If you're working with business tax types (Corps, S Corps, Partnerships), it's generally easier – you're mostly talking to CPAs and other representatives. If you're working with the taxpayers themselves, it can get a lot more personal and a bit more uncomfortable, but nothing that can't be handled with a bit of understanding and compassion.

Travel – Most positions I've seen travel about 20-30% of the time. That's assuming you're talking an audit type position. If it's more of a collections type position, I don't know that folks in that position necessarily travel more than for a training seminar here and there. Someone else might have some insight into that.

Keep in mind that each state is going to be different – and the travel aspect might be negotiable. With budgets the way they are, I would imagine that a lot of states are moving as much toward correspondence work as possible.

[kukuna2008]

Hi taxgeek83, Thank you so much for the valuable information. I am so struggling on accepting the job offer or not due to the traveling. It sounds like I will work with individual and small business mainly. I am thinking discuss this a little bit more with the recruiter for more details and then decide.

FAR - 83, 04/2015
AUD - 73, 86, 08/2015
REG - 75
BEC - 71, rematch in 04/2016

[taxgeek83]

I always think it's worth discussing, especially if you think you're going to end up in a position that will make you miserable.

Whichever way you choose, I hope it works out for the best!

[Anonymous]

I work for state revenue department doing sales and use tax. I love it! Always someone something new daily. I travel about 60% of the time but it is no farther then 30 miles. Get paid for driving. The job has given me the time to pass CPA exam and the stress free work environment. It is a puzzle.

[kukuna2008]

Thank youtaxgeek83 and DustyD! Dusty, do you always need to go to individual house by yourself? As a woman, I got to say I have concern about the safty.Also, I live around mountain, 30 miles will be a lot of dangerous mountain road which will force me to update my car. I think I main question is that will I able to do this job with a baby on the way?

FAR - 83, 04/2015
AUD - 73, 86, 08/2015
REG - 75
BEC - 71, rematch in 04/2016

[Anonymous]

Also a sales and use tax auditor. I travel less frequently than DustyD, and it has never been overnight. As far as going into home alone, some units within my department have a policy of always sending two people if it is in a home; it is optional in mine. We also have taxpayer meeting rooms in our office where we can make taxpayers meet us if we are concerned about safety. I don't think having a baby should be an issue, as generally states tend to have good benefits and policies to accommodate new parents.

[Crunchtime]

I was a state auditor for Partnerships then switch to S-corps because I got married, travel time was very limited. You only traveled out of state if you were in C-Corp unit, which could be frequent travel. I believe it is the perfect job out of college (I don't know where your at in your career). I then left that after 1.5 years due to pay and not being able to be challenged and went to public accounting. Now that I am close to my CPA with public accounting and State auditor experience, I can almost pick where I want to go. The combination is very powerful and makes you in demand. I would recommend taking this job and putting 2 years in, it will open quite a few doors for you.

AUD-77
BEC-70,73,68,74 SH##!!!!!, 80
REG-73,76
FAR -74,82

Ethics here I come!!

[kukuna2008]

Hi All, thank you so much for the suggestion! I applied this job because I thought there will be a brighter future to me than my current NFP job. However friend and family member of mine told me that this role will be hated by individual and business owners, plus a lot of traveling. But I lean towards more to take it.

FAR - 83, 04/2015
AUD - 73, 86, 08/2015
REG - 75
BEC - 71, rematch in 04/2016

[Anonymous]

You probably won't make friends with many business owners, but usually they understand that it is part of doing business. You just can't take it personally. I would recommend it. I think it has been a great experience.

[taxgeek83]

For what it's worth, auditors tend to have worse reputations than they should. Maybe it's the stigma that comes with everyone thinking you're the IRS, even if you work for a state agency – I don't know. Either way, most businesses and even individuals are understanding as long as you're willing to work with them and not against them. You'll have the occasional exception, but truly confrontational situations tend to be less common, and if you run into problems, you will have managers or other coworkers to step in and help you resolve the issues. Also, in my experience, auditors rarely, rarely travel alone, and if they do, it's to a CPA or other representative office, not someone's home. That may differ from state to state though.

Like others have said, it's great experience, and if you like tax, it's a great stepping stone to a career.

[kukuna2008]

I am so grateful for all of your replies! I couldn't make final decisions earlier, and now I know I am going to take it. Thank you again for all of your support 😀

FAR - 83, 04/2015
AUD - 73, 86, 08/2015
REG - 75
BEC - 71, rematch in 04/2016

[Anonymous]

I spend most of my time at business owners offices. Sometimes they meet me at our office. I have never had to stay the night anywhere. Business owners that I have dealt with respect me. I try and take the position as being an educator and being helpful in pointing them in the right direction. Not fighting over the small things..

There are several women that I work with. Most of them are moms. State government tends to have amazing benefits like time off and health insurance. Many of them take a year off after having a baby and come back with a job. Off at 5. Every other Monday off. 11 paid holiday. 15 hours of pto a month. 2 professional development days. Pay for you to take CPA exam….

I think you would be silly not to take a government job especially that your going to be a mother. My wife is jealous of my flexibility. I spend more time with my daughter then she does! 🙁

[Author]

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