Employment opportunities

Preferred qualifications

• communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• ability to operate office equipment including computers, scanners, photocopiers, etc.

Notes:

• applications are kept on file for six months; if you applied more than six months ago, please reapply
• these positions are expected to last less than 6 months
• newly hired employees will not be eligible to telecommute
• an examination is not required

How to apply

Print and apply by mail here 

Apply electronically here

For more information, view the job announcement

Minimum qualifications

• 60 or more semester credit hours, 6 of which must be in accounting, auditing, or taxation; and
• two years of full-time accounting, auditing, or tax examination experience; or
• four years of full-time accounting, auditing, or tax examination experience

This position may be filled on a provisional* basis.

This position may be filled as a two-year traineeship. Entrance into the traineeship requires one of the following:

• 60 or more semester credit hours, 6 of which must be in accounting, auditing, or taxation; or
• two years of full-time accounting or auditing or tax examination experience 

*Provisional appointment:  In the event that an eligible list for this title does not exist, or has less than three acceptors, an applicant possessing 60 semester credit hours or higher, which includes 6 Accounting, Auditing and/or Tax Credits may be appointed on a provisional basis.

How to apply

For more information on qualifying experience and instructions on how to apply, view the job announcement.

Minimum qualifications

Applicants must meet one of the following: 

• Bachelor's degree and two years of experience* investigating tax crimes, white collar crime, and/or conducting related field investigations of criminal activities including establishing a chain of evidence; or
• Associate degree in criminal justice and four years of the relevant experience described above; or
• six years of the relevant experience described above

*Candidates without the relevant experience but who possess a bachelor’s degree can be appointed at the trainee 1 level. 

Additional qualifications

Applicants must also meet all of the following: 

• be eligible for a New York State and New York City pistol/carry permit
• meet physical, medical, and psychological standards
• submit to a complete background check including credit, criminal history, tax compliance, and other relevant issues
• have a valid New York State driver’s license 
• subject to Cannabis use testing
• be a citizen of the United States, resident of New York, and maintain residency during employment

How to apply

To view the job announcement, duties, and how to apply, select a county link of interest below:

• Albany
• Erie
• Kings *
• Monroe
• Onondaga
• Suffolk *
• Westchester *

*Kings, Suffolk and Westchester County locations will include salary and location pay.

Minimum qualifications

Jobseekers with a bachelor’s degree in any field may be eligible for this two-year traineeship

Additional qualifications

Applicants must also meet all of the following: 

• be eligible for a New York State and New York City pistol/carry permit
• meet physical, medical, and psychological standards
• submit to a complete background check including credit, criminal history, tax compliance, and other relevant issues
• have a valid New York State driver’s license 
• subject to Cannabis use testing
• be a citizen of the United States, resident of New York, and maintain residency during employment

How to apply

To view the job announcement, duties, and how to apply, select a county link of interest below:

• Albany
• Erie
• Kings *
• Monroe
• Onondaga
• Suffolk *
• Westchester *

*Kings, Suffolk, and Westchester County locations will include salary and additional location pay.

Minimum qualifications

You must meet the following:

• Bachelor’s degree and ten years of relevant experience

Substitutions: four years of specialized experience or associate degree and two years of specialized experience may substitute for bachelor’s degree; J.D. or master’s degree may substitute for one year of specialized experience; Ph.D. may substitute for two years of specialized experience.

How to apply

For more information on the job and how to apply, view the job announcement.

Minimum qualifications

On or before the date of filing your application, you must have a bachelor's degree including or supplemented by 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, and/or taxation (The scope of this coursework must be accounting, auditing, and/or taxation. Certain courses such as Business Law, although taken as part of an accounting curriculum, are not counted towards the 24 credit hours) and:

Either A: possession of a currently valid Certified Public Accountant license and registration issued by New York State;

Or B: two years of full-time professional accounting, auditing, and/or taxation experience as described below;

Or C: a master's degree which includes 15 graduate-level semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, and/or taxation and one year of full-time professional accounting, auditing, and/or taxation experience as described below.

To be acceptable, experience for the B and C requirements must have been gained in any one or combination of the following:

1. As an accountant/auditor with responsibility for the full range of professional activities involved in the review, analysis, and management of accounting systems, resulting in the rendering of opinions or recommendations on financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Activities restricted to bookkeeping or preparing tax returns are not considered qualifying.
2. As an internal accountant/auditor with responsibility for conducting a full range of financial accounting/auditing activities for an entity. Activities limited to such duties as maintaining and/or auditing payroll records, accounts receivable or accounts payable are not considered qualifying.
3. As an accountant with ongoing responsibility for the design, implementation, and review of accounting systems.
4. As a professional staff member of a private accounting practice with broad experience in maintaining accounting books and records, completing financial statements, and preparing business and personal tax returns.
5. As field auditor with a federal, state, or municipal agency, with the responsibility for performing comprehensive field audits to determine the compliance of individuals or businesses with the taxing jurisdictions laws, rules, and regulations.
6. As an accountant/auditor principally engaged in the analysis and/or interpretation of tax law.

Substitution: You must have a minimum of 18 credit hours in core accounting, auditing, and/or taxation. Up to six semester credit hours of core coursework in finance, money and banking, economics, or business may be substituted for accounting, auditing, and/or taxation credits on a credit-for-credit basis to reach the 24 required credit hours. If you meet the minimum qualifications under B or C above, there is no substitution for the required experience.

Notes

1. Qualifying part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
2. New York State residence is not required.
3. Your degree and/or college credit must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree and/or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency and a course-by-course evaluation. You can write to the Examination Information Desk of the NYS Department of Civil Service for a list of acceptable companies who provide this service. This information can also be found on the Internet at Evaluations of Foreign Education. You must pay the required evaluation fee.
4. If you have not done so already, you are strongly encouraged to apply for Examination No. 20-791, Auditor Trainee 1 (Tax). Applying for this examination may increase the chances that you are considered for appointment.
5. Vagueness, ambiguity, and omissions will not be counted in your favor.

Important: Any candidate selected for any position at the Department of Taxation and Finance will be subject to a review of their tax return submissions by the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance. Employment of a candidate is conditioned upon a finding by the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance that the candidate is in compliance with all local, state, and federal tax laws. In accordance with federal government requirements, the employment of any candidate selected for this position is conditioned upon successfully completing a background investigation including a criminal history record check (fingerprint check).

How to sign up

For more information, view the exam announcement.

A higher salary/appointment level is possible with experience and/or advanced education. Whether by advancement through a Traineeship or direct appointment, you will be able to achieve a Salary Grade 18 position in which salary advances will lead to a job rate of $76,387 (upstate), and $79,413 (downstate). There are further advancement opportunities through promotion.

To apply: You may apply for this examination if you have completed at least 16 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, and/or taxation, and expect to meet the minimum requirements for appointment (below) within 10 months of filing your application. There is no substitution of coursework in a related field to meet these 16 credit hours. If you are offered a conditional offer of appointment prior to receiving a bachelor's degree, you cannot report to work until you submit proof to the Department of Taxation and Finance that you meet the minimum qualifications for appointment.

Minimum qualifications

You must have a bachelor's degree including or supplemented by 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, and/or taxation. The scope of this coursework must be accounting, auditing, and/or taxation. Certain courses such as Business Law, although taken as part of an accounting curriculum, are not counted towards the 24 credit hours.

Substitution: You must have a minimum of 18 credit hours in core accounting, auditing, and/or taxation. Up to six semester credit hours of core coursework in finance, money and banking, economics, or business may be substituted for accounting, auditing, or taxation credits on a credit for credit basis to reach the 24 required credit hours.

Notes

1. Qualifying part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
2. New York State residence is not required.
3. Your degree and/or college credit must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree and/or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency and a course-by-course evaluation. You can write to the Examination Information Desk of the NYS Department of Civil Service for a list of acceptable companies who provide this service. This information can also be found on the Internet at Evaluations of Foreign Education. You must pay the required evaluation fee.

Important: Any candidate selected for any position at the Department of Taxation and Finance will be subject to a review of their tax return submissions by the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance. Employment of a candidate is conditioned upon a finding by the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance that the candidate is in compliance with all local, state, and federal tax laws. In accordance with federal government requirements, the employment of any candidate selected for this position is conditioned upon successfully completing a background investigation including a criminal history record check (fingerprint check).

The positions

Auditor Trainee 1 (Tax), Auditor Trainee 2 (Tax), and Auditor 1 (Tax) positions exist at various geographic locations in the New York State offices of the Department of Taxation and Finance. The positions perform field audits of the financial records of taxpayers to verify that businesses and individuals are in compliance with the tax laws, regulations, and rules of the State of New York. They are required to travel extensively in the performance of their duties, including overnight travel both within and outside of New York State. Such factors as tax specialty assignment (e.g., sales tax, personal income tax, corporation franchise tax, etc.) and office location will determine the extent of the overnight travel. Appointees are required to have a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State or otherwise demonstrate their ability to perform required field audits, if public transportation is unavailable.

The traineeship: Candidates who are appointed as an Auditor Trainee 1 (Tax) will participate in a two-year traineeship during which they will receive both classroom and on-the-job training as well as periodic evaluations of their performance. After one year of satisfactory service as Auditor Trainee 1 (Tax), appointees are advanced without further examination to the Trainee 2 level with a salary of $53,826 ($58,350 downstate*). After one year of satisfactory Trainee 2 service, appointees are advanced without further examination to the journey level Auditor 1 (Tax) title with a starting salary of $60,069 ($63,095 downstate*).

Advanced placement: Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will receive a score for Auditor Trainee 1 (Tax), the start of a two-year traineeship leading to Auditor 1 (Tax).

If beyond meeting the minimum qualifications you have one year of full-time professional accounting, auditing, and/or taxation experience, as described below, or a master's degree which includes 15 graduate-level semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation, you may be appointed directly to the Trainee 2 level, reducing the length of the traineeship by one year. This experience and/or advanced degree and credits must be listed on your application for this examination. Vagueness, ambiguity, and omissions will not be counted in your favor.

If beyond meeting the minimum qualifications you possess a currently valid Certified Public Accountant license and registration issued by New York State; or two years of full-time professional accounting, auditing, and/or taxation experience as described below; or a master's degree which includes 15 graduate-level semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, and/or taxation AND one year of full-time professional accounting, auditing, and/or taxation experience as described below, your application will be scored and your name will be placed on the Auditor 1 (Tax) eligible list. This additional qualifying experience must be listed on your application for this examination. Candidates appointed from the Auditor 1 (Tax) eligible list will not serve a two-year traineeship.

Experience for advanced placement, as described on the previous page, must be gained in any one or combination of the following:

1. As an accountant/auditor with responsibility for the full range of professional activities involved in the review, analysis, and management of accounting systems, resulting in the rendering of opinions or recommendations on financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Activities restricted to bookkeeping or preparing tax returns are not considered qualifying.
2. As an internal accountant/auditor with responsibility for conducting a full range of financial accounting/auditing activities for an entity. Activities limited to such duties as maintaining and/or auditing payroll records, accounts receivable or accounts payable are not considered qualifying.
3. As an accountant with ongoing responsibility for the design, implementation, and review of accounting systems.
4. As a professional staff member of a private accounting practice with broad experience in maintaining accounting books and records, completing financial statements, and preparing business and personal tax returns.
5. As field auditor with a federal, state, or municipal agency, with the responsibility for performing comprehensive field audits to determine the compliance of individuals or businesses with the taxing jurisdictions laws, rules, and regulations.
6. As an accountant/auditor principally engaged in the analysis and/or interpretation of tax law.

How to sign up

For more information, view the exam announcement.

Examination details

There is no in-person multiple-choice exam. To be considered for appointment to this title, you must pass an online training and experience exam.

Complete and submit the online exam by filling out and submitting the online questionnaire. The online questionnaire IS YOUR EXAM.

Minimum qualifications

On or before the date of filing your application you must:

Either 1. Be a graduate of an accredited law school with an LLB or JD degree;

Or 2. Be eligible to take the New York State Bar examination.*

*If qualifying under option #2, you must present proof of eligibility to sit for the New York State Bar exam at the time of interview to be eligible for appointment.

Notes:

1. Your required educational credentials must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at https://www.cs.ny.gov/legal-specialties/
2. If verifiable, we will accept and prorate appropriate part-time and volunteer experience.
3. New York State residency is not required.

This examination will be used to fill trainee or journey level appointments.

Advancement Within the Legal Traineeship (Following Appointment From Eligible List No. 20-620): If you are appointed to one of the entry levels of the Attorney Traineeship, you will normally be advanced after each twelve months of satisfactory service to the next higher title (with salary based on performance) until you reach the full performance level of a Senior Attorney.

If you are appointed as an Assistant Attorney 1, you will be automatically advanced to Assistant Attorney 2 upon admission to the New York State Bar. If you are not admitted to the New York State Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.