Should I work for the IRS?

Question

haha I'm a college student, working on an accounting degree...I'm probably going to get crapped all over for this but all the travel and the overtime that comes with working for a large accounting firm doesn't really interest me, so I was considering a career in government accounting...Does anyone work for the IRS and actually enjoy it? are their careers in it that dont involve seizing property and being a complete jerk?

Answer 1

The Taxpayer Advocate Service.  All the employees are IRS employees but independent from the IRS.  They spent their work day helping people that have problems with the IRS.  Visit the IRS web site at www.irs.gov and near the bottom of the page is a link to the Taxpayer Advocate Service.  Visit USAJOB, this is where the IRS puts their jobs for both the IRS and the Taxpayer Advocate Service.

Answer 2

Note to John Scott, while it's interesting to know that you are an IRS employee, it's against policy for you to actually say so.

Answer 3

you may have heard this all your life; do what your mind tells you to.  

Answer 4

I almost went to work for them. You can make a good career out of it. People may look down on you some but it is your life.

Answer 5

With an accounting degree you would probably want to be a revenue agent auditing individual and small business returns. If you are a complete jerk you will not get past the initial interview regardless of your other qualifications.  IRS front line employees have a tough job to do including dealing with jerks and irrational people on the other side.

Right out of college you would start at $36,822 to $43,117 depending on the salary range in your geographic area with an increase to $45,040 to $52,740 (again depending on geography) after a year and $54,494 to $63,811 at the full working level after two years.  If you just keep your nose clean, do your job and get no further promotions you will top out at $70,843 to $82,955 based on current pay scales.  They will increase by about 3.9% in January.

You could also apply to be a special agent and get a much bigger pay check and carry a gun.

Answer 6

I work at the IRS and actually enjoy it.  I'm fortunate to work in a unit with outstanding management. There are obviously many different jobs within the IRS and only a small percentage involve active collection wok.

Answer 7

I don't work for the IRS, but I know 3 auditors who seem to enjoy their work.  I think they said they were doing mostly audit scoring, to try to determine from the numbers on returns which had the best audit potential.