AUDITOR 3 TAXATION
Career Family: AUDITOR
Auditor 3 Taxation sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
It lists a bachelor's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $84,548 to $124,366, and state payroll currently lists about 67 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 67th 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 67 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $120,384. The agencies employing the most are:
- Treasury (67)
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, in the Division of Taxation, Department of the Treasury, supervises the field or office auditing work and/or examining and verifying of accounts and records, both internally and of taxpayers, with respect to various taxes administered by the division; may be assigned to either field or central office location as required; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Supervises the 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. Assists in organizing the work for an audit group, and develops methods for conducting and auditing, and/or examination and verification work, in accordance with established standards. Makes complex audits and/or examination and verification of accounts and records independently and/or supervises several audit teams, as required. Assigns auditing work to subordinates and advise or assist on problems of procedures, law, regulations, court decisions, precedents, accounting principles, auditing and examining techniques, and other technical matters. Makes special field or office audits and/or examinations and verifications of internal and external accounts and prepares reports. Supervises preparation of audit reports for submission to management and makes the appropriate comments and recommendations as to accounting and/or examination and verification methods and procedures. Prepares audit procedures and other instructions for the use of personnel and makes revisions as required. Trains personnel in appropriate auditing procedures and/or examination and verification methods for the various taxes administered by the division. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Interprets tax statutes and regulations to state government employees, taxpayers, and others connected with the preparation of tax returns. Reviews and revises reports of audits carried out by auditor personnel, for format, accuracy, adequate explanation of tax assessments or adjustments proposed, and unusual features. Supervises the preparation of 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 difference of opinion. Keeps current with legislative changes in New Jersey Tax Statutes, Internal Revenue Code, and court decisions that affect the Division of Taxation, and disseminates and explains such changes when appropriate. Conducts seminars and addresses professional organizations, business groups, or other interested taxpayer groups as assigned. Assumes duties of Supervising Auditor, Taxation, when required. Corresponds with the officers of state agencies, local government units, and/or private firms. Assists in effectively presenting state's position in controversial or complex matters of considerable importance. Supervises the maintenance of 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 modern accounting and auditing methods and principles as applied to the examination and review of tax returns and books of account. 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 suitable auditing and accounting procedures and their application to difficult and unusual situations. 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 effective training methods and procedures. Knowledge of the Internal Revenue Code and its application to New Jersey Tax Acts. Knowledge of the New Jersey Confidentiality Act and Federal Privacy Act of 1974 in order to conform to their provisions. 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 common type of violations and evasion of state tax regulations to be anticipated and of the means of identifying such evasions. 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 the Employee Performance Assessment Review and ability to utilize knowledge as a developmental tool in training personnel. 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. Ability to organize and supervise routine and complex technical tax audits, and/or examination and verification of internal and external accounts and records and develop effective work methods. Ability to interpret complex financial data and develop forms for recording such data. 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 supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. 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 may be required by court decisions or rulings and/or orders promulgated. Ability to interpret technical data and procedures to taxpayers, representatives, and other interested parties. Ability to apply established auditing and accounting methods and procedures to auditing and/or examination and verification situations. 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 effectively present state's position in controversial or complex matters of considerable importance. 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 prepare auditing, financial, and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to maintain essential records and files. 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 utilize appropriate information for selection of audits. Ability to assist in developing audit procedures as they relate to New Jersey tax statutes. 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. Seven (7) years of professional accounting or auditing experience, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits 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 three (3) 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 three (3) 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. SC3E28N/AR27-