CHIEF AUDIT ACTIVITY TREASURY
Career Family: CHIEF
New Jersey treats Chief Audit Activity Treasury as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
The spec names a master's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY2026 range lands between $111,629 and $164,957, and state payroll currently lists about 10 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.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 10 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $159,624. The agencies employing the most are:
- Treasury (10)
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 the direction of a supervisory official in the Department of the Treasury, plans, organizes and directs the work programs involving audit and/or accounting and budget activities; provides guidance and direction to senior management with respect to Division matters; does related work as required.
Examples of work
In the Division of Taxation, directs the following functions through an Assistant Chief Auditor, Taxation, and/or group of supervisors of Audit personnel: the field audits and/or office audits of returns and supporting documents to determine correct tax liability and of claims to determine allowability of refunds; the preparation of reports supported by explanations, citations and authority on cases where adjustments are made, and appropriate reports on no change cases, or information reports, as required; and other audits made at request of the Legal Staff or the Attorney General, including joint operations in cases where tax evasion or fraud may exist. In the Division of Pensions, plans, coordinates and directs the accounting activities and staff of the Accounting Services, which is responsible for accounting activities related to Employee Benefit Programs such as the Public Employees Retirement System; Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund; Police and Firemen's Retirement System; the State Agency for Social Security; Prison Officers Pension Fund; State Police Retirement System; Judicial Retirement System; Alternate Benefit Program; Central Pension Fund; Pension Increase Program; the Supplemental Annuity Collective Trust; Health Benefits Program; the State Employee Prescription Drug Program and such units as the Adjustment and Bookkeeping Sections. Plans, organizes and directs the activities of the agency; sets goals and plans; implements work programs and develops policies and procedures in accordance with division policies and goals. Supervises the development of work plans for all activities within the agency; modifies and adapts plans, as required. Responsible for implementing new or revised Federal and State laws, regulations, and reporting procedures as they apply to the various State programs. Manages the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, disciplining and/or training of employees. Directs the development of data processing, telecommunications and other on-line procedures with the various vendors and is directly responsible for their implementation. Assesses the impact of new or revised legislation and policy changes on agency operations; recommends amendments to existing or proposed legislation to improve the effectiveness of program operations. Monitors results of program efforts through development of appropriate measurement devices and establishment of tracking systems. Evaluates program operations and performance; as required, develops and implements alternative procedures to improve performance and meet program objectives. Develops, reviews and submits the annual agency budget for approval. Represents the division and testifies at appeal hearings, when designated by senior management. Assists senior management in the development of planning systems and methods to improve coordination of activities and integration of client services. Estimates future workloads and required personnel space and equipment to achieve the objectives of agency programs. Prepares and delivers presentations, speeches and testimonies before professional and lay groups and supervises the dissemination of program information to inquiring employers, employees and other individuals and groups. Develops and/or supervises the preparation, update, and/or maintenance of agency procedures manuals, administrative regulations and guidelines, benefits manuals, booklets and other information materials distributed to the public. Implements, monitors, and maintains policies of sound fiscal management and ensures conformity of Division rules and regulations with those of the State and other Departments; works with executive level management toward maximizing economies of agency purchases. Performs special projects, as directed by executive management. Serves as a principal advisor to senior management with respect to agency activities including coordination required with other interagency units. Coordinates the work of the agency with the work of the other operational and support agencies in the division. Reviews, analyzes, and interprets Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations affecting the operation of the agency. Responsible for the preparation and presentation of monthly and quarterly statistical reports and data reflecting the activities and productivity of the agency. Prepares and/or directs the preparation of extensive correspondence in the course of official duties. Prepares and supervises the preparation of technically sound, accurate and informative statistical, financial, and other reports, letters and documents containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Directs the establishment and maintenance of essential records, reports, files and data sources. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems 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 the design, installation and operation of a large scale accounting program. Knowledge of the procedures used in keeping detailed accounts of financial transactions and in preparing, checking and interpreting varied financial statements. Knowledge of modern accounting principles, standards and techniques and their application to specific accounting situations. Knowledge of the methods used to interpret varied types of financial data and of the proper form of financial documents, statements and schedules. Knowledge of the methods used to prepare detailed accounting and other financial reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Knowledge of the types of discrepancies found in financial records, and the methods used in preventing, discovering and correcting errors. Knowledge of supervisory techniques. Ability to organize assigned work and develop an appropriate work program and schedules for the agency. Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate the work of the assigned units, including setting goals, planning and implementing work programs and developing policies and procedures. Ability to develop long and short term management plans and procedures, and to develop effective methods. Ability to understand, analyze, and interpret basic laws and regulations, and apply them to specific situations. Ability to evaluate program or unit performance and develop alternative methods to improve performance and meet established objectives. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of Federal, State and local governments, as well as professional groups, and others interested in issues, problems, and topics relative to designated program. Ability to assign, instruct and supervise professional, technical, and other employees and to effectively evaluate their performance. Ability to supervise the compilation of needed statistical data. Ability to prepare extensive correspondence in the course of official duties. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, sound, technically accurate and informative reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Ability to direct the establishment and maintenance of 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 with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
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. Ten (10) years of professional auditing or accounting experience in performing audits including writing the accompanying audit report and/or the complete review and examination of tax returns for propriety, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in accounting. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in accounting; and six (6) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR A valid certificate as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) issued by the New Jersey State Board of Public Accountants; and six (6) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a Master's degree in Accounting or Business Administration from an accredited college or university; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. "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.
Study guides for this exam
- Management Test Battery (MTB) National Learning Corporation · $52.95
- Manager/Administrator Test National Learning Corporation · $49.95 · general prep, not specific to this title
The Civil Service Commission does not publish official study guides or release past tests. These are independent equivalency guides.