CONFEREE 1 TAXATION
Career Family: CONFEREE
In New Jersey, Conferee 1 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 $80,756 and $118,678.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Conferee 1 Taxation on the NJ Civil Service Commission jobs portal. Announcements run for a fixed filing window.
- Apply during that window and sit the examination. Depending on the title, that can be a written test, a rating of your training and experience, or a mix of the two.
- Passing scores go onto a ranked eligible list. Veterans get preference points added on top of their score.
- When an agency has a vacancy it must appoint from the top of that list under the "Rule of Three." Many competitive jobs are first filled provisionally while the list is being built.
Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.
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 Conferee 2, Taxation or other supervisory official in Division of Taxation, Department of the Treasury, conducts administrative conferences entailing substantive tax issues of importance and difficulty involving taxpayer' protests of tax determinations made on behalf of the Director, Division of Taxation; under direction, prepares reports and determination recommendations on protested tax matters; does related duties as required.
Examples of work
Conducts conferences in less complicated cases of disputed legal and/or factual issues resulting from a determination of the Division Director. Assists Conferee 2 in conduct of conferences in complicated cases of disputed legal and/or factual issues resulting from a determination of the Division Director. Conducts conferences in less complicated cases with taxpayers and/or their representatives to discuss proposed assessments, review differences, and report on reasons for differences of opinions. Assists Conferee 2 in conduct of conferences in complicated cases with taxpayers and/or their representatives to discuss proposed assessments, review differences, and report on reasons for differences of opinions. Prepares a comprehensive conference report using work papers, other underlying documentation, and opinions of the auditor, tax services specialist, deputy attorney general, and others; develops case for determination. Reviews contested cases to determine whether accounting verification methods and procedures used in initial determination were in accordance with laws and regulations; makes comments and recommendations as appropriate. Reviews, interprets and applies points of law, applicable regulations, court cases and division policy to tax issues under consideration. Consults with higher authority to request opinions on complicated determination matters. Interprets tax statutes and regulations to taxpayers and/or their representative. Prepares correspondence regarding final determination on contested matters for the Conferee 2 or other supervisory staff. Reviews request for conferences as needed. Requests necessary information from taxpayer or taxpayer's representatives to objectively render a decision on facts as presented by both division and taxpayer. Corresponds with taxpayers and/or their representatives regarding protest on tax matters. As required, assists tax services specialists and/or deputy attorney generals in preparation of cases before judiciary. Keeps current with legislative changes in New Jersey Tax Statutes, Internal Revenue Code, and court decisions that affect Division of Taxation. Provides general information regarding conferences, tax appeals, application of tax laws, and auditing techniques, for division personnel, legal and accounting communities, and general public. Appears as witness for division in court proceedings as required. Maintains records and files. Will be required to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointee 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 common types of violations and evasion of State Tax regulations after a period of training. Knowledge of modern accounting, auditing, and/or examination and verification methods as applied to examination and review of tax returns and books of account. Knowledge of 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 Internal Revenue Code and its application to New Jersey Tax Acts. Knowledge of reciprocal agreement between State and Internal Revenue Service after a period of training. Ability to comprehend and apply provisions of New Jersey tax statutes administered by division and division regulations, policies, standards, and procedures. Ability to research tax issues via printed and/or electronic tax information services. Ability to conform to provisions of the New Jersey Confidentiality Act, New Jersey Taxpayer Bill of Rights, and Federal Privacy Act of 1974. Ability to organize and implement hearing procedures regarding less complicated tax audits. Ability to organize assigned tax work and develop effective work methods. Ability to execute orders and directions as required by court decisions or rulings and/or promulgated by Director. Ability to explain and interpret tax laws in a lucid, convincing, concise manner to taxpayers, business, financial, accounting, and legal experts. Ability to interpret and apply available guidelines, evaluate factual situations, weigh merits of evidence, arguments and briefs, and anticipate and meet possible attacks on State position. Ability to confer with business and trade representatives, attorneys, corporate officials, and other persons concerning tax problems. Ability to maintain State position and policy regarding tax matters. Ability to compose detailed, technical correspondence relating to taxes administered by the division. Ability to facilitate a harmonious conference atmosphere. Ability to listen and comprehend a taxpayer's contentions with respect to matters under review. Ability to work cooperatively with associates and subordinates and with those interested in or concerned with the immediate case at hand. Ability to learn to confer with legal representatives of taxpayers and understand mechanics of mergers, conglomerates, absorptions, and other actions concerning reorganization of business entities. Ability to present evidence for State in court proceedings on tax matters. Ability to clearly and cogently explain taxpayer's rights regarding audit and/or investigation of their records and conference and appeal process as required by Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, and division collection process. Ability to use a personal computer, including spreadsheet, database, and word-processing applications. Ability to use division computer main-frame and information systems. Ability to explore and resolve apparent alternate arguments that would typically be raised if taxpayer had professional representation. 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 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 positionusing 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 experience in accounting or auditing, one (1) year which shall have involved the conduct of conferences of protested determinations of financial liability on behalf of a governmental entity, or the examination and verification of internal and taxpayer accounts and records to determine financial obligations, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester-hour credits in accounting courses. 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 courses; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have involved the conduct of conferences of protested determinations of financial liability on behalf of a governmental entity, or the examination and verification of internal and taxpayer accounts and records to determine financial obligations.' "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.