TAX AUDITOR, EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

State of California; California; Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California, Employment Development Department (EDD), is seeking a Field Tax Auditor to conduct payroll tax audits for California-based companies. The role includes in-person audits, reviewing employer records, and determining proper worker classifications to ensure correct tax reporting.

The position offers a hybrid work arrangement with training, a Monday–Friday schedule, and a chance to impact public service while benefiting from EDD's employment package.

Qualifications

• Possession of excellent writing skills to prepare detailed, organized, and accurate reports that support your conclusions.
• Knowledge of accounting, auditing principles and business law.
• Skills handling or reviewing financial records and documents.
• Outstanding oral communication skills are required to communicate findings to employers and/or their representatives in a clear and professional manner.
• Ability to analyze information, evidence, and facts to render sound conclusions.
• Ability to conduct interviews.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to create and maintain an effective and courteous working relationship with management, supervisors, staff and the general public.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite application.

Responsibilities

• Receive on-the-job and formal training.
• Conduct in-person payroll tax audits and investigations for California-based companies.
• Learn, follow, and apply the provisions of the California Unemployment Insurance Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 22, California Labor Code, and California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board decisions.
• Interact with business owners and/or their representatives to understand their business operation and internal controls.
• Interview workers and contractors to discuss their working relationship and determine proper classification.
• Gather relevant information to determine the correct classification of workers and wages.
• Examine financial records to reconcile reported taxes with employer payroll reports.
• Prepare detailed audit reports to support the audit findings and recommendations.
• Explain audit findings to business owners and/or their representatives.
• Attend meetings and participate in Branch and Division-sponsored trainings.

Skills

Writing skills

Accounting knowledge

Auditing principles

Interviews

Independent work

MS Office

Job description

Job Posting: Field Tax Auditor / Associate Tax Auditor

Employment Development Department

JC-535172 - Field Tax Auditor / Associate Tax Auditor

Tax Auditor, Employment Development Department

Final Filing Date: 11/6/2026

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change as business needs arise.

Would you like to make an impact in public service? Are you looking for a career that combines work-life balance with fantastic benefits? Look no further!

The Tax Branch of the Employment Development Department (EDD) has an immediate opening to fill four (4) Tax Auditor vacancies in a dynamic audit team with the Field Audit and Compliance Division's, Sacramento Area Audit Office's, Sacramento Audit Crew 1.

As an EDD auditor, part of your daily activities will include conducting in-person audits and working closely with business owners and their representatives. You will review employer records to reconcile payroll taxes, determine if workers are properly classified as employees or independent contractors, and ensure their payments are reported correctly. Auditors are also responsible for preparing audit reports and discussing the audit results with the business' responsible parties. As an auditor, you play a crucial role to ensure that all workers receive the benefit coverage they are entitled to under the law and promote fair business practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive on-the-job and formal training.
• Conduct in-person payroll tax audits and investigations for California-based companies.
• Learn, follow, and apply the provisions of the California Unemployment Insurance Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 22, California Labor Code, and California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board decisions.
• Interact with business owners and/or their representatives to understand their business operation and internal controls.
• Interview workers and contractors to discuss their working relationship and determine proper classification.
• Gather relevant information to determine the correct classification of workers and wages.
• Examine financial records to reconcile reported taxes with employer payroll reports.
• Prepare detailed audit reports to support the audit findings and recommendations.
• Explain audit findings to business owners and/or their representatives.
• Attend meetings and participate in Branch and Division-sponsored trainings.

Employment Details

• Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
• Work Shift: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Work Week: Monday - Friday
• # of Positions: 4

Compensation & Benefits

$4,695.00 - $7,632.00 per Month. New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Tax Auditors may be eligible for Recruitment Hiring Above Minimum (HAM) salary rate of $5,528 per month (Range A hires only).

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month.

Location & Telework

Work Location: 3321 Power Inn Rd., Ste 140, 220, and Room 208, Sacramento, CA 95825

The position(s) are headquartered in Sacramento, CA and may be eligible for limited telework under EDD's telework policy.

Employees are required to report to their headquarters office, as needed.

Travel expenses to and from the assigned headquarters are the responsibility of the employee.

Telework: Hybrid

Working Conditions

Visa Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

Travel may be required for this position, and may include overnight and/or out of state. Work out of the office and/or in an outstation setting which requires a higher level of independence and self-motivation.

Required Documents

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All experience and education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Other - ACover Letter is required and must be included. Please see "Cover Letter Requirements" section for more information about the SOQ.

Cover Letter Requirements

• Describe how your experiences, skills and training/educational background have prepared and qualified you for this position as described in the job posting and position statement.

Desirable Qualifications

• Possession of excellent writing skills to prepare detailed, organized, and accurate reports that support your conclusions.
• Knowledge of accounting, auditing principles and business law.
• Skills handling or reviewing financial records and documents.
• Outstanding oral communication skills are required to communicate findings to employers and/or their representatives in a clear and professional manner.
• Ability to analyze information, evidence, and facts to render sound conclusions.
• Ability to conduct interviews.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to create and maintain an effective and courteous working relationship with management, supervisors, staff and the general public.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite application.

Background Investigation

The position(s) may require an applicant to pass a background investigation. However, applicants will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless they receive a conditional offer of employment.

The department will make an individualized assessment of whether the conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job and the work performed by the department. The department will consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency, nature and seriousness, and age at the time of the offense(s).

The investigation will consist of completion of a personal history statement and fingerprinting checks with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, and/or local law enforcement agencies. Anyone failing to pass the background investigation will be provided information on how to appeal the process. A criminal conviction may not result in an automatic determination of "NotQualified."

Accessibility and Accommodations

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

The hiring unit contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact: EEO Officer

[phone]

[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Employment Development Department may require a new probation in accordance with applicable probationary period rules.

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital