Professional Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Outstanding Performance Awards received throughout my career with IRS

Florence Mathis-Coles

Internal Revenue Service, IRS
Sicklerville,NJ
42
years of professional experience

Results-driven Appeals Officer with a proven track record in compliance and dispute resolution. Skilled in problem-solving, effective communication, and leadership, consistently achieving departmental goals while mentoring junior staff.

Work History

Appeals Officer

15 Years 3 Months
Internal Revenue Service, IRS | 06.2010 - 09.2025
  • Facilitated resolution of complex tax disputes through effective communication and negotiation with taxpayers.
  • Reviewed and evaluated taxpayer appeals for accuracy and compliance with IRS regulations.
  • Analyzed case files to identify discrepancies and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
  • Developed comprehensive reports outlining findings and recommendations for management review.
  • Mentored junior appeals officers on case analysis techniques and best practices in dispute resolution.
  • Implemented process improvements that enhanced the efficiency of the appeals workflow within the department.
  • Led training sessions on updates to IRS guidelines, ensuring staff remained informed on regulatory changes.
  • Developed strong relationships with various stakeholders, facilitating effective communication throughout the appeals process.
  • Analyzed case files to determine issues of fact and law.
  • Exceeded departmental goals related to timeliness and accuracy of decisions by consistently meeting deadlines and following established guidelines.
  • Improved the efficiency of the appeals process by streamlining communication between parties involved.
  • Managed caseload effectively, prioritizing urgent matters while maintaining attention to detail in all cases handled.
  • Conducted in-depth research on appeal cases, gathering pertinent information from all relevant sources.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in the field of appeals administration.
  • Conducted appeals conferences for settlement and resolution of tax issues.
  • Handled sensitive information discretely, upholding strict confidentiality standards at all times during the processing of appeals.
  • Assisted colleagues with complex cases as needed, offering expertise and guidance to achieve favorable outcomes efficiently.
  • Resolved appeals by thoroughly reviewing case files and conducting comprehensive investigations.
  • Trained new Appeals Officers on department processes, contributing to a well-prepared and knowledgeable team.
  • Maintained detailed records of appeal cases, documenting findings and final decisions for future reference.
  • Demonstrated adaptability to shifting priorities, effectively managing changing caseloads and handling new issues as they arose.
  • Provided timely and accurate decisions on appeals, ensuring fairness and adherence to established policies.
  • Reviewed policy updates regularly, applying changes where appropriate when considering new or ongoing appeal cases.
  • Conferred with counsel attorneys on settlement or trial of docketed cases.
  • Presented comprehensive reports on appeal findings to management, offering recommendations for improvement when necessary.
  • Negotiated settlements with appellants, achieving satisfactory outcomes for both parties involved.
  • Researched case issues to determine and apply law to facts presented.
  • Reviewed reports from the Compliance Division of the IRS and information provided by taxpayers and made appropriate decisions with careful consideration based on factors such as function, cost and risks.
  • Evaluated physical and digital records, testimony and reports in order to weigh both support and opposition to proposals.
  • Articulated opinions and binding decisions through verbal presentations and written documentation.

Revenue Officer

16 Years 4 Months
Internal Revenue Service, IRS | 01.1994 - 05.2010
  • Implemented data-driven analysis to identify trends in taxpayer behavior and inform policy decisions.
  • Educated taxpayers on their requirement to meet tax filing and paying obligations.
  • Conducted thorough financial analysis of both businesses and individuals to determine that taxpayers' ability to pay their tax obligation.
  • Provided guidance and service on various financial problems in order to assist taxpayers in resolving tax issues.
  • Developed strong working relationships with taxpayers, fostering trust and encouraging voluntary compliance.
  • Contributed to a positive work environment through proactive collaboration and effective communication with colleagues.
  • Maintained detailed case documentation, ensuring accurate recordkeeping and streamlined communication among team members.
  • Exceeded performance targets consistently by prioritizing tasks effectively and managing caseloads efficiently.
  • Improved data accuracy by validating taxpayer information and updating records as needed.
  • Provided exceptional customer service to address taxpayer inquiries and resolve disputes quickly.
  • Enhanced taxpayer education by conducting informative workshops and providing helpful resources.
  • Considered alternative means of resolving tax debt issues if taxpayers could not pay
  • Conducted thorough investigations to uncover hidden assets, increasing revenue collection success rates.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify underreported income and enforce tax laws.
  • Mentored junior staff members, sharing valuable knowledge gained from years of experience in the field of revenue collection.
  • Participated in continuous professional development opportunities to stay current on industry trends and best practices in revenue collections.
  • Negotiated payment agreements with delinquent taxpayers, ensuring prompt debt resolution.
  • Conducted research, interviews and investigations for information pertaining to alleged criminal violations.
  • Identified potential fraud cases, leading to the recovery of unpaid taxes and prevention of revenue loss.
  • Utilized advanced software tools to analyze financial data, pinpointing discrepancies for further investigation.
  • Collected delinquent federal taxes and secured all delinquent returns.
  • Processed tax payments, set up payment plans and worked with delinquent taxpayers to resolve issues.
  • Professionally negotiated and dealt with taxpayers in confrontational situations.
  • Responded to taxpayer questions and helped individuals complete and file tax documentation.

Supervisory Tax Examiner

1 Year 11 Months
Internal Revenue Service, IRS | 01.1992 - 12.1993
  • Supervised, trained and mentored tax examiners.
  • Reviewed and approved complex tax cases, returns and related correspondence.
  • Monitored workflow to ensure proper and timely actions were taken.
  • Trained employees on best practices in tax compliance and regulatory requirements.
  • Developed training materials to enhance understanding of tax laws among employees.
  • Evaluated operational workflows, identifying opportunities for process enhancements and increased efficiency.
  • Collaborated with team members to enhance overall efficiency and effectiveness within the department.

Tax Examiner

7 Years 9 Months
Internal Revenue Service, IRS | 03.1984 - 12.1991
  • Reviewed complex tax cases, identifying discrepancies and recommending adjustments.
  • Analyzed tax returns for accuracy and compliance with federal regulations.
  • Advised taxpayers on filing procedures, ensuring adherence to IRS guidelines.
  • Conducted on the job training for new examiners, enhancing onboarding processes.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration

Peirce College | Philadelphia, PA

Skills

Legal research
Regulatory compliance
Strong analytical skills
Problem-solving
Ethical judgment
Dispute resolution
Leadership skills
Teamwork
Conflict resolution
Dispute resolution abilities
Reliability
Problem-solving abilities

Timeline

Appeals Officer

Internal Revenue Service, IRS
06.2010 - 09.2025Read More

Revenue Officer

Internal Revenue Service, IRS
01.1994 - 05.2010Read More

Supervisory Tax Examiner

Internal Revenue Service, IRS
01.1992 - 12.1993Read More

Tax Examiner

Internal Revenue Service, IRS
03.1984 - 12.1991Read More

Peirce College

Bachelor of Science from Business Administration
Read More

Outstanding Performance Awards received throughout my career with IRS

Throughout my career with the IRS, I consistently achieved a rating of outstanding on my annual evaluations.

Florence Mathis-Coles