Lead Auditor (Revenue Auditor 3) - Tacoma

The required qualifications are key competencies that have been successfully demonstrated through experience or education. To join our team, you must possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies:

Progressive experience leading complex, large-scale audits shown through:  

• Leading national or multinational, technically diverse audits; serving as auditor in charge and establishing engagement scope, milestones, and documentation standards.

• Managing a portfolio of audits; coordinating with taxpayer representatives, monitoring progress, and adjusting plans to meet deadlines under general direction.

• Exercising independent judgment on high-impact, sensitive matters; escalating policy or risk issues appropriately.

• Proven outcome: Leading complex, large-scale audits to accurate, defensible conclusions while managing scope, schedule, and stakeholders.

Demonstrated knowledge of accounting principles and tools, including:

• Applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and professional auditing principles to reconcile financial statements, general ledgers, subledgers, and journal entries across diverse environments; identifying discrepancies and resolving inconsistencies.

• Evaluating and validating electronic accounting systems (GL, POS/ERP, ecommerce), tracing data flows, and identifying system integrity risks.

• Use of advanced Excel (complex formulas/functions, pivot tables, joins/lookups, data validation) to organize, analyze, and summarize large datasets.
• Designing and executing statistical and nonstatistical sampling; collaborating with taxpayer IS staff and audit specialists to support defensible conclusions.

• Researching, interpreting, and applying Washington statutes (RCW), administrative code (WAC), department policy (e.g., ETAs/Special Notices), and relevant court decisions to determine correct tax liabilities under the Revenue Act.
• Establishing physical and economic nexus by analyzing business activities, documentation, and interviews; documenting rationale clearly in workpapers and reports. 

• Evaluating systems, procedures, and internal controls to identify irregularities, control gaps, and areas of exposure that inform audit scope and sampling strategies.
• Reconciling source documents (e.g., bank statements, sales and purchase records, inventory) and synthesizing complex data into fundamental issues and manageable components for resolution. 

• Producing clear, comprehensive audit reports, including supporting schedules and future reporting instructions; ensuring accuracy, completeness, and accessibility for diverse audiences.
• Presenting and explaining findings, methodologies, and legal interpretations to taxpayers and representatives; delivering unfavorable outcomes professionally while building understanding and agreement.
• Drafting precise written guidance and responses for petitions or reviews; tailoring tone, structure, and content to the intended audience. 

• Leading and managing multiple concurrent audits; reprioritizing methods and resources to maintain momentum in dynamic taxpayer environments.
• Evaluating progress continuously and adjusting priorities, timelines, and approaches to meet deadlines and quality standards. 
• Maintaining confidentiality and personal safety while working onsite or remotely and traveling frequently as required. 

• Offering coaching, review, and mentoring to auditors; delivering actionable feedback on workpapers, accounting systems, sampling, and methodology.
• Working cooperatively with others and contributing to group solutions through constructive feedback, ideas, and suggestions. Facilitating the open exchange of ideas and information in a respectful and inclusive way. 
• Serving as a technical resource on complex law and rule applications; supporting team audits and acting for the Field Audit Manager when needed. 

• Identifying registered and unregistered businesses; confirming nexus using interviews, internet research, and official questionnaires—supporting compliance and deterring evasion. 

• Use of auditing and analytical software, word processing tools, databases, and spreadsheets for sustained analytical work.
• Maintaining readiness to work in varied environments; handling audit materials, equipment, and extended computer-based work across frequent travel requirements.

Equity Competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Uses an equitable and inclusive approach.

Learn about our Core Equity Competencies to understand the foundational skills, mindsets, and approaches we value and cultivate in our workforce.

Preference may be granted to candidates with any combination of professional experience or education, such as:

Two (2) years of experience as a Revenue Auditor 2

Demonstrated professional experience in the above (required) competencies; or

• Bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting.
• 24 semester or 36 quarter hours of college-level accounting.

Advanced knowledge of:

• Theoretical principles and practices of auditing and accounting (GAAP).
• Washington Revenue Act of 1935, as amended.
• Court decisions and regulatory advisories applicable to taxpayers.
• Rules, policies and procedures of the Department of Revenue.
• Excel and Word functions and applications.
• Internet research.

Salary : $5,506 - $7,399