Tax Auditor I

The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.

HIRING RANGE: $81,394.00 - $90,437.78/year

A Tax Auditor I performs entry level financial and tax compliance audits of businesses operating within Lakewood, applying established auditing procedures, accounting principles, and tax regulations under close to general supervision. The position focuses on developing foundational auditing skills, preparing accurate workpapers and reports, and supporting departmental compliance functions while gaining experience with increasingly complex audit assignments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job, and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City's discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential duties of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Trains in audit procedures and methodology, including standards, statutory requirements, and workpaper preparation.
• Interprets and applies City and State tax codes, rules, and regulations.
• Schedules, plans, and conducts entry level (Tier 1) sales and use tax audits and compliance reviews of financial records. Assists and trains on more complex audits under direct supervision.
• Prepares and maintains work papers, schedules, supporting documentation, and audit reports that support audit findings and conclusions.
• Provides taxpayer education, including delivering presentations at tax workshops.
• Develops professional judgment in identifying and quantifying tax compliance issues and recommending audits or other corrective actions.
• Calculates assessments or refunds and prepares written audit findings.
• Assists Taxpayer Services with support duties as needed.

Reporting Relationships
Supervision Received: General supervision from the Revenue Supervisor, leadership and training from Tax Auditor II and III.
Supervision Exercised: None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis, organization, and manipulation.
• Ability to learn and apply Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), statutory requirements, and standard audit methodologies.
• Ability to interpret tax codes and exercise limited professional judgment in their application.
• Ability to independently perform Tier 1 audits and provide support in collaborative audit engagements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to clearly convey relevant findings and information.
• Strong arithmetic skills, attention to detail, and sound mathematical reasoning.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues, external organizations, and the public.
• Skill in identifying non standard situations and developing appropriate recommendations for resolving issues.

Technological Skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, PivotTables, data validation and advanced spreadsheet organization.

Education and Experience
• Education: HS diploma with accounting coursework required. Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Experience: Experience in auditing or applied accounting preferred, with knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), municipal government experience desirable.

Certification/Licenses/Specialized Training
• None required.


Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
Must successfully complete and maintain required state or departmental physical standards and certifications.

LIGHT WORK: Exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

Physical Demands
• Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa
• Sit, stand or be stationary
• Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, turn or twist, all of which may include awkward positions on both even and uneven terrain
• Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, grasp, move, feel, and inspect, etc.
• Walk, ascend, descend on both even and uneven terrain
• Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color

Environmental Conditions may include
• Office settings

Physical Requirements - No Physical Needed
• Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or positions from all levels up to 30 pounds with or without assistance

The City of Lakewood is a drug-free workplace that provides employment opportunities in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws. All Lakewood employees are expected to work and complete all tasks in a safe manner consistent with training, standard operating procedures, City or Department policies, and common sense. Working in a safe manner includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and complying with all City and/or Department safety rules. Horseplay on-the-job is strictly forbidden. The failure to work in a safe manner, use PPE, follow standard operating procedure, or comply with a safety rule will result adverse employment consequences ranging from verbal discipline to termination from employment, including any applicable reduction in benefits under the Colorado Workers' Compensation Act. Employees are also expected to encourage safe work practices by all co-employees, and to report any unsafe work practices immediately to a supervisor.


The City of Lakewood celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of our workforce. Accordingly, the city is committed to creating, nurturing and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our community and employees.


Pay Range

$69,597.30-$90,437.78

Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions.