Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To plan and conduct in-depth desk audits of taxpayer returns and refund claims of simple to moderate complexity, as selected by management, including obtaining and reviewing financial and non-financial information from various sources, raising assessments and initiating disallowances, promoting voluntary compliance with Ontario tax legislation, and providing in-depth audit reports. May also conduct field audit work when required.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Audit Planning
Prepares audit plans for desk audits, and for field audits when required, including determining the depth and scope of audit; and determines the type of analysis required to reach sound supportable conclusions to determine tax liabilities and level of compliance.
Researches information sources, including correspondence, audit files, internet and government databases, to identify issues and to determine what sampling and testing techniques are required to effectively conduct an audit.
Examines and verifies referrals/information/reports from other areas of the ministry and other jurisdictions, including analyzing and cross-referencing the issues, legislation and reassessments by other jurisdictions, and accessing appropriate database systems to verify data, refund claims and tax returns.

Conducting Audits
Audits diverse tax returns and refund claims of simple to moderate complexity by identifying, examining, verifying and assessing financial information such as financial statements and supporting schedules, and non-financial information such as related files and correspondence, ensuring conformity with applicable legislation and regulations.
Communicates with taxpayers and/or their representatives to obtain clarification and supporting documentation where required, to advise of omissions miscalculations or ineligibility, to respond to written or verbal enquires by providing additional explanation/information/clarification, and to improve future compliance by communicating approved interpretations and legislation references to
educate taxpayers.
Communicates with taxpayers and/or their representatives as required, to resolve tax or audit queries, to address contentious issues, and to manage disputes and adversarial situations. Refers taxpayer disputes to management where appropriate.
Promotes acceptance and understanding of audit results by informing taxpayers of the rationale for audit decisions, supplying working papers, and discussing proposed recommendations.
Assesses and evaluates credit worthiness, risk factors, financial viability, and structure of legal entity of clients, including analyzing financial statements, preparing yearly comparison reports, computing accounting ratios for comparison to universal standards, calculating security requirements, and preparing recommendations as to increases in security to protect against loss of tax revenue for presentation to senior management.

Reporting
Performs a quality assurance role by preparing written findings for management where departmental control weaknesses are detected during desk audits, and proposing modifications that can be integrated into processes and procedures to improve controls and reduce risk to tax revenue.
Prepares comprehensive narrative audit reports, including detailed working papers, to support tax assessments and tax adjustments in accordance with the prescribed legislation and regulations.
Management has the right to assign other duties.

Staffing and Licensing :

Successful completion of Modules 1 through 6 of the Chartered Professional Accountant Prep program OR Levels 1 and 2 courses of the Certified General Accountant program OR successful completion of 6 courses from the Certified Managerial Accountant Pre-Professional Program, including 3 accounting courses OR successful completion of 6 courses of a recognized university/community college program plus or including courses in Introductory Financial Accounting and Intermediate Financial Accounting.

Knowledge :

Knowledge of relevant Ontario tax legislation (Acts and Regulations), inter-jurisdictional agreements, ministry and branch rulings, directives, guidelines and administrative policies and practices, in order to identify non-compliance, complete audits, and provide education and alternatives to taxpayers regarding their tax liability requirements.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of auditing, financial statement analysis, accounting principles, systems and procedures, in order to plan audits and reviews, determining the audit approach, sampling techniques, sample sizes and depth of audit; accessing and reviewing information sources; and recommending reassessment or referral for enforcement.
Knowledge of ministry-approved systems (e.g. OntTax), relevant internal and external databases, and desktop software, in order obtain and verify data essential for pre-audit research and other verification activities; to complete audits; prepare reports and document audit findings; and prepare memos and correspondence.

Skills :

Research, analytical and investigative skills, to analyze documents and business records to determine tax liabilities; perform audits; evaluate results, identify and resolve compliance problems; and to participate in projects to identify non-compliance.
Ability to effectively synthesize data and information from a number of sources including financial statements and related schedules, calculations, reported tax return liabilities and assessment notices.
Oral and written communication skills; to deal effectively with taxpayers and their representatives in a number of situations, including initial contact to set-up and explain the audit, requesting information required for the audit, discussing audit findings and progress, conveying and discussing proposals to assess, discussing technical aspects of tax legislation and accounting/auditing requirements; to prepare letters to taxpayers and/or their representatives, and audit working papers; and to draft audit and operational improvement reports.
Interpersonal skills to manage the audit relationship and deal with taxpayers in a sensitive and professional manner; to promote understanding and acceptance of the audit findings by taxpayers and their representatives, specifically areas of non? compliance with the tax legislation and the resulting assessment; and to deal effectively with contentious issues, dispute and adversarial situations resulting from taxpayer objections or challenges.
Project management skills to lead teams within the Section as necessary, to implement approved modifications to processes and procedures.
Political acuity to deal with First Nations tax issues.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires decisions to be made on the basis of clearly defined policies and procedures guided by ministry and government policies, directives, and established practices and procedures.
Job requires organization of own activities to conduct and complete audits and special projects assigned by management within expected time frames.
Judgement and latitude are exercised in developing the audit approach, deciding on type and extent of audit tests, negotiating and establishing plans of action to gain filing compliance from taxpayers. The auditor normally contacts taxpayers and/or their representatives directly and without consultation with the manager.
Complex or particularly sensitive cases, cases which deviate from established procedures or could potentially set a precedent, cases may involve conflict of interest, or which may require intricate issues where the legislation may be ambiguous, are referred to management.
Judgement is exercised in protecting confidential and sensitive taxpayer information. Work is reviewed by the manager on a selective basis to ensure consistency, accuracy and completion of assigned files; however, the auditor is primarily accountable for the accuracy and thoroughness of the audit.