California State Board of Equalization Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated Apr 1, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 13 ratings 
“Average” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 13 ratings
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| 1–10 of 13 California State Board of Equalization Interviews | Sort by |
Tax Auditor at California State Board of Equalization
Posted Apr 1, 2012
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Feb 2012 in Culver City, CA (took a day)
California State Board of Equalization (BOE) sent a form letter to my home requesting completion if I was interested in employment with the BOE. However, prior to this I had taken the State of California, Tax Auditor Exam and scored 95%. The test must be taken before any State of California agency will contact you. I sent the data via mail as requested by BOE. I was called by a staff employee approximately 3 weeks after the job announcement had closed for an interview. There were two interviewers and after introductory replies a stack of 5 questions were placed in from of me. The questions were skill and technically based; however, I was caught "off guard" because the description of the position on the website addressed training for this position. I felt rushed during this portion of the interview and I was not told I could use a writing tool to compute my answers. A multiple choice question asked for the amount to be charged approximately to 11 employees for the meal bill including tax. Two questions were on (1) what is cost of goods sold and (2) what is cost of goods sold in a manufacturing environment. The fourth question was a listing of transactions and basically you had to state how you would audit the data. Basically, the answer expected was that you would take a sample of the data to be reviewed. I can't recall the fifth question. I was not offered employment. I recommend a study of sales and use tax forms and the related cost and expense items on the forms, related tax auditing of those forms, and some financial statement data reminders to prepare for the interview. The staff appeared happy and pleased with their working environment.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
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Helpful Interview?
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No
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Business Taxes Representative at California State Board of Equalization
Posted Mar 26, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2011 (took a day)
Interview was very relaxed and straightforward. Both managers were very honest about selection process. Questions were very specific to BOE regulations, but are easy if you are familiar with their processes. Office culture seemed laid-back and employees were friendly while I waited in the lobby. You can land the job if you study, clearly meet applicant qualifications, and can provide quality answers to their situational questions.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.
More California State Board of Equalization Business Taxes Representative Interviews
Helpful Interview?
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Auditor Evaluator I at California State Board of Equalization
Posted Jan 9, 2012
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Feb 2011 in Sacramento, CA (took a day)
The interview was really dry,there was no interaction between you and the interviewer. After they read the questions out,you are expected to answer it. And, the answer better be as long as possible,because the whole interview is 45 minute.During your interview, they will also jot down some notes based on your answers.I had an interview over the phone,so obviously,I couldn't see their facial expression.THerefore,I did not know how well I did on my interview.Also, the position is an only entry level position that requires no experience at all.I have no idea why they'd ask me the case study questions that requires so many in depth analysis.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Tax Auditor at California State Board of Equalization
Posted Sep 29, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Sep 2011 in Santa Rosa, CA (took a day)
I applied with the State for tax auditor positions after I scored 95% on the online exam. The BOE contacted me by phone to schedule an interview about 10 weeks after I took the Auditor exam online. There were two days of interviews scheduled and I was offered a choice of days as well as time of day to interview (8:30 a.m. , 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m.). I checked in BOE office and was told that someone would arrive shortly to meet me. There were several individuals in the office that appeared to be negotiating with the BOE staff across a counter. The office atmosphere was somewhat gloomy especially when noticing the thick glass partitions separating BOE employees from those of "us" sitting in the general lobby. Within a few minutes of checking in at the lobby counter, an interviewer came into the lobby area and introduced herself to me. We went upstairs and I was again introduced to each of the panel of 3 BOE staff conducting interviews. I was instructed to review a single page (front and back) which had 7 questions (4 questions included several subsections) and let the panel know when I was prepared to answer those questions. Beginning with Question 1, the panel members went down the list of questions, each asking a question. As I answered all 3 panelists took detailed notes averaging half a page per question. Among the questions posed to me: 1). What do you know about the BOE? 2.) Why do you want to work for the BOE? 3.) What qualities, education and job experience do you have to offer the BOE if offered this position. 4.) Describe how would you respond in the following situation: You are assigned to audit a small business owner's accounting records to ensure that sales tax has been properly reported. The business owner agreed that you would go to the business location and review his records onsite. The following Monday when you arrive to inspect his financial records the business owner informs you that he has changed his mind and that he no longer will agree to let you inspect his records; that he doesn't have to allow an inspection and he's not going to do so for anyone. 5.) How would you respond if you were scheduled to review the records of the owner of a small convenience store for sales tax verification. When the taxpayer arrives in your office he shoves a shoe box at you. Inside the shoe box are several rolls of cash register receipts, cancelled checks and copies of other paperwork. The business owner does not have any other form of formal accounting records for his convenience store. 6). Math/accounting problem asking you to compare and contrast an income statement reflecting two years of Sales and other items (interest income, advertising expense, salary expense, etc). This problem required the reader to subtract the difference in the balances for each year, assign a percentage of change for each item and comment on the changes between the two years' entries. 7). Word problem: two pages (front and back) which included 2 pages of a Sales tax return, a business's Income Statement which reported net operating loss for each of two years and a 4th page reflecting numerous accounting transactions. The reader was to issue spot and advise the panel which, if any, entries found on the Income Statement and/or Sales Tax Return appeared inconsistent and "suspicious" when contrasted with other accounting entries reported.
After completing all 7 questions I was asked to use a laptop computer to write a letter to a former employer requesting a recommendation for a position as auditor with the BOE and reminding the former employer fo all those qualities that made me a good match for the BOE auditor position. I was told I had ten minutes to draft the letter and when the letter was drafted, to save it under my last name in the Word format.
The final task I was asked to perform was to prepare an Income Statement using various accounting entries/amounts representing a business owner's set of books.
When the interview was over, all the panel members were friendly, shook my hand and advised that there were other applicants scheduled for the remainder of the day. I was told that everyone would be notified of the panel's decision among candidates.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
More California State Board of Equalization Tax Auditor Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Tax Compliance Officer at California State Board of Equalization
Posted Sep 22, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2011 in Irvine, CA (took a day)
Received a call from BOE office to make an interview appointment among many other job applicants who were to be interviewed. The interview consisted of a three person panel, one of whom was a supervisor. At the interview, they handed me a sheet of predetermined questions asking me to explain how my past experiences, skills, and personality would make me a good tax compliance officer. One question asked me how I would proceed in collecting accounts. The panel had many interviewees scheduled over multiple weeks and expressed slight signs of fatigue from the process. From what they told me when we began discussion, they apparently didn't even look over my resume that I took the time to specifically tailor for the position: their initial comment on where I worked previously (in a related govt. office) was completely off the mark. Based on this experience, I would say an applicant should just prepare for these situational questions and not worry too much about the details in applying as hiring is mechanical and a mass-process.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
OSS III at California State Board of Equalization
Posted Sep 17, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Aug 2009 in Sacramento, CA (took 2 days)
Treat all employees just and equal. It i unfair to have someone come in and get promoted, nowhig
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Always check the market view and know your own self worth!
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Tax Tech at California State Board of Equalization
Posted Jul 22, 2011
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Mar 2011 in Irvine, CA (took a day)
After initially taking a Life Skills Test, I was contacted by mail to fillout an application. After mailing it back in, I was invited for an interview. I was interviewed by two people. I was asked about my prior work experience (based on my resume), basic skills (sorting mail, answering phones, dealing with irate people), and tax related skills test. During the interview, I was informed that pretty much all the Tax Techs already had Bachelors degrees and the competition was high.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Tax Auditor at California State Board of Equalization
Posted Jul 20, 2011
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2010 in Sacramento, CA (took 2 weeks)
I applied for the job posting online and I received a call a coupple of weeks later to set up an interview time. I came to the office and was ushered into a small conference room and I had two person interviewing me. They were both writing down notes as I was talking. They asked about 8 situational questions and after the interview they told me I would hear from them through the mail.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
More California State Board of Equalization Tax Auditor Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Tax Auditor at California State Board of Equalization
Posted Apr 18, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2009 in Oak Brook, IL (took a day)
Interviewed with two people who quizzed me on my knowledge of taxes.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
More California State Board of Equalization Tax Auditor Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Business Taxes Representative at California State Board of Equalization
Posted Jan 12, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2010 in San Diego, CA (took 3 months)
Applied online, took examination, mailed paperwork out, received a phone call about 3 weeks later, was asked several questions (interview), and scheduled an interview a week later. Arrived at office in Diego, met a very nice retiring woman from that office and waited for a few minutes to be interviewed. I was then met by an employee and escorted to back room of a typical open office room setting with cubicles. As I walked by I noticed another interviewee, probably for the same position. When I finally sat down, I was instructed on a writing prompt with about 8 questions, of which were 8 of about 20 questions that I was going to be asked in the initial interview. I had 15 minutes to review and write. After 15 minutes were up, I wad met by the supervisor and escorted to a conference room where I was introduced to a tax specialist and the ddistrict manager. I was asked about 20 situational and behavioral questions. All related to tasks that would be performed in the position I was applying for. At the end of the interview, I wad given 15 minutes to write why I was the best candidate for the position. Afterwards I continued to have a conversation with the supervisor, then I went home. Within the next month I continued to comunicate and was informed of being being one of their top 3 candidates. A month later I was called and told that I was the number one candidate and was given a preliminary job offer and I accepted.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I did not negotiate, considering that I was not willing to risk losing the opportunity.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, a Skills Test, a Drug Test and a Background Check.
More California State Board of Equalization Business Taxes Representative Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
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Inappropriate?
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