Lead Auditor; Revenue Auditor - Seattle

Position: Lead Auditor (Revenue Auditor 3) - Seattle

This opportunity is only open to current WA State Department of Revenue Employees.

Attention Revenue! The Audit Division is now hiring one Lead Auditor (RA3) in Seattle, WA. Our Lead Auditors audit the largest and most technically diverse business organizations. You'll evaluate business activities and accounting records to determine if taxpayers are in compliance with applicable tax laws and have correctly reported their tax liability. Additionally, you will rely heavily on your extensive knowledge of electronic accounting software to test, analyze, and evaluate the taxpayer's accounting system.

You will also conduct advanced sample planning with taxpayer's information systems personnel and/or DOR's Computer Audit Specialist to determine appropriate statistical sampling methods.

The Lead Auditors are also responsible for training new auditors, which includes developing, assigning, and managing training plans. In addition, the Lead Auditor acts as a mentor and coach to staff in the office while serving as an ongoing resource for future taxpayer education.

The hiring manager may start screening applicants as early as July 21, 2026, and make a hiring decision at any time after. It will be to your advantage to submit materials as soon as possible.

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.

Proven ability to research and apply tax law demonstrated by:

• 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 work papers and reports.

Demonstrated ability to assess risk and apply internal controls, including:

• 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.

Proven ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and persuasively, both written and verbally, shown through:

• 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.

Demonstrated experience in planning and organization, including:

• 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.

Progressive experience providing mentoring and technical support shown through:

• Offering coaching, review, and mentoring to auditors; delivering actionable feedback on work papers, accounting systems, sampling, and methodology.
• Working cooperatively with others and contributing to group solutions through constructive feedback, ideas, and…