Agent (customs, taxes, Treasury)

 Agent (customs, taxes, Treasury)
Category C State civil servant, the agent works for the General Directorate of Taxes (DGI), for the Public Treasury or for customs. Supervised by the controller, he exercises control and verification functions for border security (customs), welcomes and informs the public (taxes), manages recovery operations (Public Treasury). Rigorous and versatile, he holds at least a BEP, a CAP or the DNB (national patent diploma).

Professional life
Highly coveted positions
Many contenders and few chosen ones... Agent competitions attract many applications. For example, in 2005, some 18,500 people applied for the customs assessment agent competition, for only 202 positions (and 272 for the tax assessment or assessment agent competition). As for the competition for Treasury recovery agent, in 2005 it attracted nearly 16,000 candidates for 227 positions...
Promotional opportunities
Seniority allows agents to climb the ladder and pass internal competitions. An assessment or assessment agent can obtain the title of second and then first class principal agent. If he meets the required conditions, he can also attempt an internal competition to become a tax controller or Treasury controller.
Beginner's salary
1244 euros gross/month for customs and the Treasury, 1606 euros gross/month for taxes.
Working conditions
A state official
The agents are category C state civil servants. They report to the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry and are attached to specific directorates: DGI (General Directorate of Taxes), DGCP (General Directorate of public accounting) for the Treasury, and General Directorate of Customs.
Not always in the office
Depending on their location, agents work in an office (in a property tax center, in mortgage conservation services, at a treasury counter, etc.), or in the field, in a border office , a large bus station, an airport or a port.
In contact with the public
Whether answering taxpayers' questions about the amount of a tax or carrying out inspection operations with travelers, the agent often works in direct contact with the public.
SKILLS
Rigor and thoroughness
Taste for figures, rigor and attention to detail: these qualities are essential in public finance professions. Required to answer specific questions and carry out secretarial and accounting operations, the agent must assume significant responsibilities.
Patience and diplomacy
In their role of welcoming and informing taxpayers, agents must know how to listen to their interlocutors and demonstrate diplomacy. You also need to know how to manage stress and control your emotions.
Versatility appreciated
Permanence at a counter, dog handler for the detection of narcotics or weapons, technician or radio operator: the status of agent covers numerous activities, requiring very varied skills.
Nature of the work
Customs: the hunt for trafficking
With the opening of borders, the mission of the customs agent changes... In the "control of commercial operations and general administration" branch, he exercises rather administrative functions: control of commercial operations with foreign countries. , in an airport, a bus station, etc. In the “surveillance” branch, its mission consists of controlling travelers and goods circulating in the territory.
Taxes: a numbers pro
Too high a tax, a late payment... the tax assessment or tax assessment officer answers taxpayers' questions. At the counter or on the telephone, he provides them with information and helps them complete their declaration. Other missions: secretarial and file management tasks. In a tax service, the agent manages everything relating to the base (the calculation of the amount of tax).
Treasury: state accountant
Reception of the public, processing of current files, payment of community expenses... the recovery agent fulfills numerous missions. Its activities depend on its location: general treasury, Treasury accounting position, finance receipts.
Training to enter the profession
These competitions require at least a CAP, a BEP or the national patent diploma. In fact, we often see a gap between the required levels of education and the actual profiles of candidates: many young people with over-qualified qualifications apply. The tax, customs and Treasury agent competitions (category C) are no exception. The tests are specific to each competition, and even to each option. However, we find a constant in the eligibility tests: a MCQ test (multiple choice questionnaire) intended to