[Anonymous]

Hello everyone,

Before being an accounting major, I also was a criminal justice major. I graduated last year and finished my CPA not too long ago. I just got back from an accounting open house from my campus. Even though I wouldn’t mind working in public accounting, I’ve always wanted to work for the IRS criminal investigation field. I am worried that they will never open a position because I have been looking into it since last year October and never saw a position open up. I always though most of the hiring would happen during Fall semester. When I was looking around on this forum, I didn’t see any topics about people talking about the law enforcement side of accounting.

I was wondering if anyone know anything about the IRS criminal investigation special agent program or have any experience with the field? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

So I must assume that no one here has any knowledge of the IRS and law enforcement with respect to accounting? =)

[K_Sunshine5]

Hi @can1, where are you located? My future mother-in-law actually works for the IRS on the east coast (not as a CI special agent, she is a management analyst but knows a lot about what is going on with the hiring for the government). She knows a few people that are in that field. I actually had a professor in college that is a CI special agent which is one of the guys that she knows. My professor explained his job to the class and it was super interesting. I don't blame you for wanting to go into that field. I heard it's very hard to get into but if you have a criminal justice degree AND an accounting degree, I would think you would be a good candidate for a position if one were to open up. I was talking to my future mother-in-law about the projected openings here on the east coast and there was supposed to be one opening up but then they cancelled it. Probably because of the furloughing and everything the government is going through right now. It might be a job where if one opens up, you should apply even if it is far from where you live now and you would have to relocate if you really have your heart set on that job. I'm not sure if relocation is possible for you but it might be something to think about with this position if one opens up in the near future.

I'm not sure if this helps but I'll try to answer any questions you may have. I know a little bit about the program because of my future mother-in-law and my former professor 🙂

FAR: 65, 77!
AUD: 72, 72, 80!
REG: 64, 84!
BEC: 83!
Ethics: 98!

Delaware CPA as of May 23, 2014 at 10:43am EST.

"She believed she could, so she did."

[Anonymous]

Hello kreibsome08. I do not mind relocating if a position opened up. I do not have a criminal justice degree, but I do have an accounting degree. I was a criminal justice major and I took some courses before I switched over to accounting. I always had a thing with criminal justice and wanted to mix it in with my accounting career. Yes, I also heard getting in is very hard. When I was reading the site, they go through a detailed process before admitting you to the training facility in Georgia.

Thank you for the help and information. I really appreciate it. =)

[Anonymous]

[Tncincy]

I'm thinking you might want to go for an different position with the IRS then apply for a position for CI. I am sure you've already looked at the IRS site for employment. I also find your local federal building and see if an IRS office is housed there and ask questions of the employees there, they might be able to direct you to someone as well.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[RA2CPA]

Hi can1,

I currently work as an Revenue Agent for the IRS….have been with the Service for 10 years now. I have some friends who came in around the same time that I did who were able to make the switch to CI and I have some other friends who were unable to make the switch (got admitted but something happened during the training and evaluation period). I know that hiring at the Service right now is just not happening, too many budget cuts, etc….but the Government tends to hire in waves. It may be dry out there now, but once they start hiring it is a big haul. I would keep your eyes open on the USAJOBS.gov site for anything that could get you in the door at the IRS. There are many more internal opportunities than external and the Revenue Agent gig isn't bad either while you wait for CI to open up. That being said, there are age restrictions to consider….so if you are young than no worries, but if you are creeping up to or past 30 this is something to consider.

Ill be happy to answer any Service questions you may have, just throw them out here and I will keep my eye on the thread.

FAR - 8/31/13 - 88
REG - 10/18/13 - 97
BEC - 1/18/14 - 85
AUD - 4/4/14 - 99

[taxgeek83]

@RA2CPA – I'm curious what you mean by age restrictions…?

[RA2CPA]

Unless things have changed in the past few years, I believe that to get a job in CI you must be under the age of 37….unless you have had a job in federal law enforcement in the past, which would allow you to come in later.

FAR - 8/31/13 - 88
REG - 10/18/13 - 97
BEC - 1/18/14 - 85
AUD - 4/4/14 - 99

[taxgeek83]

Interesting. At first blush it seeks like that policy would contradict Equal Opportunity Emploment laws, but I don't know too much about federal government employment and if things are different…?

[Anonymous]

You might explore CIA jobs, which also have potential for “accountan.st with guns”. We had them speak at our university last year, and it was very interesting. Based on what they said, they might have more opportunities than the IRS. They especially seemed to like degree combos of accounting, criminal justice, and/or IT. Like the IRS, they had some age limits for certain positions (mid-thirties or something). Same goes when you enter the military, you can't do so after a certain age.

If you are very, very serious about a governmental position like this, and you're young, you might consider joining the military in some capacity. They have significant hiring preference when opportunities come open, and I suspect it's good training for the type of job you're looking for, i.e, significant resume builder. You would need to look into the “points” system for hiring preference – I really know nothing about it other than it exists and I suspect a large chunk of governmental jobs go to people with preference.

[Mayo]

“Interesting. At first blush it seeks like that policy would contradict Equal Opportunity Employment laws, but I don't know too much about federal government employment and if things are different…?”

From the EEO act legislation:

“All personnel actions affecting employees or applicants for employment (except) with regard to aliens employed outside the limits of the United States) in military departments as defined in section 102 of title 5, United States Code, in executive agencies (other than the General Accounting Office) as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code (including employees and applicants for employment who are paid from nonappropriated funds), in the United States Postal Service and the Postal Rate Commission, in those units of the Government of the District of Columbia having positions in the competitive service, and in those units of the legislative and judicial branches of the Federal Government having positions in the competitive service, and in the Library of Congress shall be made free from any discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.”

Looks like age isn't included.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

Nevermind…from the EEO Commission…

“The laws enforced by EEOC prohibit an employer or other covered entity from using neutral employment policies and practices that have a disproportionately negative effect on applicants or employees of a particular race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), or national origin, or on an individual with a disability or class of individuals with disabilities, if the polices or practices at issue are not job-related and necessary to the operation of the business. The laws enforced by EEOC also prohibit an employer from using neutral employment policies and practices that have a disproportionately negative impact on applicants or employees age 40 or older, if the policies or practices at issue are not based on a reasonable factor other than age.”

So technically, it seems to be in conflict with the EEOC?? *shrug*

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

And then on the IRS website…

“No applicant for employment with the Department of Treasury – Internal Revenue Service shall be subjected to discrimination because of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, disability, age, reprisal for engaging in anti-discrimination activities, protected genetic information, sexual orientation or parental status.”

So who knows what the heck is up with that….

And yes, I obviously have too much time on my hands….

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[taxgeek83]

@Mayo – thanks! That's kind of what I was finding too. Along the same vein, however, I can upon the ADEA, which seems I cover federal employees.

https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/age.cfm

Anyone have any thoughts? I'm enjoying learning about this – haven't run into it outside a two-line blurb in a class somewhere way back. 🙂

[taxgeek83]

And apparently auto-correct is messing up my posts, but I think you probably get the gist! 🙂

P.S. Just caught your last two posts after I wrote that. I'm getting that Title VII and the ADEA are the two employment laws that seem to pull in age, race, gender, etc. Might be off base here though….

[Author]

Replies