Why Join the Canada Revenue Agency?

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers motivated individuals a challenging, interesting, and diverse workplace that will help you develop skills and advance your career. If you are looking to gain valuable work experience in a federal organization, make the CRA your employer of choice..

My CRA Experience: Timothy Leung

Hello – My name is Timothy and I am currently in my 3rd year of the Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. I would like to share with you a bit about my work experience at the CRA. Having been hired as a co-op student, I have been working at the agency for ten months (at the time of this writing). I was pleased to have been hired at the Surrey Tax Centre, initially in the Efile department. This department handles applications from tax practitioners and accountants, and part of my duties were to determine if they were eligible to file their client’s tax returns electronically. I also provided assistance to tax preparers (when they encountered errors while submitting tax returns), and monitored to ensure compliance. Filing online is fast, easy, convenient, and secure – if you haven’t filed your tax return electronically, you should try it!

After eight months, I had the opportunity for a new assignment in the Business Returns Division. My role in this position consists of assessing corporate returns, analyzing and resolving returns with errors to ensure they are processed as required.

I am really enjoying my work experience – both departments have been a very positive experience and I am looking forward to continuing these opportunities and experiences while working at the CRA.

I also represent the CRA on campus as a Student Ambassador. My role includes attracting new talent to the CRA through strategies such as peer-to-peer marketing, information sessions, and awareness campaigns of CRA career opportunities. I would enjoy meeting fellow students at events including, but certainly not limited to, information sessions and career fairs.  I am very excited for the opportunity to promote various CRA opportunities with fellow students. I hope that by sharing my positive experience with the Agency, I can assist in recruiting a new generation of CRA employees (you!).

If you see me on campus, please feel free to stop me – I’ll be happy to chat and answer any questions you may have. I hope to see you around!

My Advice For Students

Whether joining the CRA through Co-op, the Aboriginal Student Employment Program, or externally, my main advice would be to ensure you have fully read through the job posting, and clearly state your education, experience, and qualifications. Many applications may get screened out simply due to the applicant not clearly stating their credentials – you don’t want to lose an opportunity because of that! Don’t screen yourself out.

Also, be sure to highlight your skills and expertise – focus on your strengths and you‘ll do great.

The CRA and You - The Perfect Fit

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is committed to Employment Equity and Diversity. With flexible working arrangements, career development opportunities, a professional workplace environment, and continuous learning for all employees, CRA is the perfect fit for you!

We offer competitive salaries, flexible work arrangements and an excellent learning environment for students and post graduates in a variety of career streams including clerical and administrative positions. Rates of Pay for students can be found here: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. Opportunities may include positions in Taxpayer Services and Debt Management, Audit, Human Resources, Finance and Administration and Information Technology. Post-secondary education in specialized courses such as Financial Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, Social Sciences, Computer Science, Communications, and other fields are considered an asset.

What types of student employment programs does CRA offer for students?

Students

The CRA's student program offers students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while they are still attending school. They get to familiarize themselves with the federal public service, and to develop their competencies and employability skills. Although the CRA primarily hires students for the summer, employment can be extended into school terms, on a part-time basis. The program is intended for full time students at high schools, colleges, CEGEPs, technical institutes and universities across Canada

COOP/Internship

The Co-operative Education (Co-op) and Internship programs provide students with learning experiences through study-related assignments. They get the opportunity to use their knowledge in a real work environment. The CRA jointly administers the Co-op program with Canadian university, college, and CEGEP Co-op Offices. Co-op terms are available throughout the year. If you are a full-time post-secondary student enrolled in a recognized Co-op or Internship program, and are looking to fulfill your mandatory work term, consider an assignment with the CRA

Aboriginal Student Employment Program

The Aboriginal Student Employment Program (ASEP) was designed to introduce Aboriginal students at the post-secondary and high school levels to the three major business lines of the CRA: revenue generation, income redistribution and trade administration. A career in the CRA can be in a variety of professional streams, such as in the Audit, Appeals, Enforcement, Revenue Collections, Client Services, Information Technology, Human Resources, or Finance and Administration.

The Program offers challenging employment opportunities that will help qualified candidates gain valuable experience to better prepare them for a future career with the CRA. The ASEP Program is open throughout the year to all qualifying Aboriginal students. All Aboriginal student applicants must self-identify to be eligible for this Program. As defined in the Employment Equity Act, an Aboriginal person is a North American Indian or a member of a First Nation, a Métis or an Inuk. North American Indians or members of a First Nation include status, treaty or registered Indians, as well as non-status and non-registered Indians.

Aboriginal Tax Officer Apprenticeship Program

The Aboriginal Tax Officer Apprenticeship Program (ATOAP) aims to recruit, develop, and retain qualified Aboriginal college and university graduates, as well as those who are in their final year of a degree or diploma program. Apprentices receive the same competitive salaries and benefits as full-time employees. Various non-salary benefits, such as flexible work hours and reimbursement of tuition fees for successfully completed courses in support of the employee’s career, may also be available.

The 24-month ATOAP offers assignments in areas such as audit, taxpayer services, or debt management. On-the-job coaching and specialized training courses are provided during each assignment.

Auditor Apprenticeship Program (AAP)

The AAP is an on-campus recruitment program to attract postsecondary students who have the interest and potential to become auditors with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

The program provides participants with a combination of practical work experience, on-the-job coaching, formal training and an opportunity to develop technical, legislative and auditing skills over a 12 month period

How do I apply to the program?

All job notices are posted on the CRA’s Web site.

Where can I find additional information?

For more information, go to: Aboriginal Tax Officer Apprenticeship Program

Learn more about the CRA by browsing through the related links. You'll learn more about the business we do, the services we provide, and our corporate mission, vision, and values.

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