AUDITOR 2 TAXATION
Career Family: AUDITOR
In New Jersey, Auditor 2 Taxation is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
The stated bar is a bachelor's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma. The FY2026 range lands between $77,144 and $113,264, and state payroll currently lists about 139 people in the title, most of them at Treasury.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
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Agency posting
Department of the Treasury's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Pay ladder: Auditor series
Its top salary lands around the 55th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2026 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 139 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $106,040. The agencies employing the most are:
- Treasury (139)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under direction of a Supervising Auditor, Taxation, or Auditor 3, Taxation, Division of Taxation, Department of the Treasury, takes the lead in (l) a group of auditors of lower grades engaged in field or office audits and/or examining and verifying of accounts and records, both internally and of taxpayers, with respect to various taxes administered by the division, or (2) independently handles field or office auditing or accounting work of considerable complexity and importance; may be assigned to either field or central office location as required; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Performs and takes the lead in field and/or office audits of taxpayer's returns, books, and records, and/or examinations and verifications of internal and external accounts and records to ensure department statutes, regulations and accounting procedures are observed. Independently performs audits and/or examination and verification of internal and external accounts and records of considerable complexity and importance. Trains personnel in appropriate auditing procedures and/or examination and verification methods for the various taxes administered by the division. Interprets tax statutes and regulations to state government employees, taxpayers, and others concerned with preparation of tax returns. Takes the lead in preparing audit reports for submission to superiors and makes the appropriate comments and recommendations as to accounting and/or examination and verification methods and procedures. Prepares audit reports based upon data obtained. Conducts post audit conferences with taxpayers and/or their representatives to discuss audit results, review differences, and report on reasons for differences of opinion. Keeps current with all legislative changes in New Jersey Tax Statutes, Internal Revenue Code, and court decisions that affect the Division of Taxation. Conducts seminars and addresses professional groups, business groups, or other interested taxpayer groups as assigned. In the absence of higher grade auditor, acts in his/her place to perform his duties. May correspond with interested officials of state agencies, private firms, or taxpayers. May be required to testify in the tax court on tax matters. Establishes and maintains essential auditing and related records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information system used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of provisions of appropriate New Jersey tax statutes administered by the division and the regulations, policies, standards, and procedures promulgated thereunder and their application. Knowledge of modern accounting and auditing methods and principles as applied to the examination and review of tax returns and books of account. Knowledge of suitable auditing and accounting procedures and their application to routine and complex situations. Knowledge of the common types of records and procedures used in keeping accounts of financial transactions and of modern accounting methods, techniques, and machines and their fullest utilization in specific situations. Knowledge of the discrepancies in financial records which are significant and of the methods used in discovering and correcting errors in financial documents and records. Knowledge of the proper form and content of financial records, statements, and audits. Knowledge of the location, proper form, content, and interpretation of legal and varied types of financial records/documents, statements, audits, instruments, and other documents and their use. Knowledge of the Internal Revenue Code and its application to New Jersey Tax Acts. Knowledge of effective training methods and procedures. Knowledge of the New Jersey Confidentiality Act and Federal Privacy Act of 1974 in order to conform to their provisions. Knowledge of the organization and procedures of other state departments and agencies to ensure a proper coordination of division functions. Knowledge of the reciprocal agreement between the State and Internal Revenue Service. Knowledge of computerized systems of data processing utilized by the division and the ability to offer input data as well as retrieve and interpret output data. Knowledge of the Employee Performance Assessment Review and ability to utilize knowledge as a developmental tool in training personnel. Ability to compile, review, analyze, and interpret basic financial data, and to develop forms for recording such data. Ability to schedule and organize routine and complex audits, and/or examination and verification of internal and external accounts and records. Ability to analyze applicable tax laws and regulations and apply them to ensure that financial records are complete, accurate, and in compliance with such laws. Ability to see that prescribed auditing and accounting procedures are followed in auditing and/or examination and verification of accounts and records, and report preparation. Ability to analyze accounting and auditing problems and to prescribe effective work methods. Ability to prepare correspondence concerning audits with related taxpayers. Ability to implement changes or revisions in work procedures and methods as required by court decision or rulings and/or orders promulgated. Ability to interpret technical data and procedures to taxpayers, representatives, and interested parties. Ability to confer with legal representatives of taxpayers and ability to understand the mechanics of mergers, conglomerates, absorptions, and other actions concerning reorganization of business entities. Ability to confer with business and trade representatives, attorneys, corporate officers, and other persons concerning audit and related problems. Ability to train personnel in established auditing procedures and/or examination and verification procedures, and in the effective application of pertinent tax laws, rules, and regulations. Ability to work effectively with associates and subordinates and with taxpayers whose accounts are being audited, and with their representatives. Ability to present evidence for the State in court proceedings on tax matters. Ability to prepare the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative audit reports. Ability to maintain essential records and files. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Six (6) years of professional accounting or auditing experience, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credit in professional accounting courses which may include courses in municipal or government accounting. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credit in professional accounting courses which may include courses in municipal or government accounting; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a valid Certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or Registration as a Public Accountant issued by the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions. SC3525N/AP24-SCNE25N/AP25- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 9/29/2018