DIRECTIVE	:	UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 20-92
TO	:	ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
FROM	:	DONALD J. KULICK Administrator for Regional Management
SUBJECT	:	Unemployment Insurance Revenue Quality Control -- Recruitment of State Staff for the Revenue Quality Control Work Group

1. Purpose. To announce continuing opportunities for State employment security agency (SESA) tax staff to actively participate in the Revenue Quality Control (RQC) program development.

2. Reference. None

3. Background. The RQC Workgroup is developing a comprehensive measurement system which will assist State and Federal Administrators in assessing and improving their Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax operations. The design has been crafted through a cooperative effort between National Office staff (the RQC Workgroup and the Contribution and Fund Management Group), Regional Office (RO) staff, and SESA staff serving on Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignments. To date, staff from ten different SESAs have served on IPAs. With the approaching expiration of the terms for the current IPAs, several vacancies will become available.

4. Current Status of RQC. The design of the RQC system encompasses all major dimensions of quality: accuracy, timeliness, and completeness. The system has been divided into four "modules:"

   1. Core RQC.  This module assesses SESA tax operations through computed measures obtained by required reporting of data, Program Reviews, and Surveys. Computed Measures are similar to the indicators and DLAs currently used in tax assessment from the 581 Reports. The Program Review is further divided into Systems Reviews and Acceptance Samples. The Systems Review examines tax processes for the existence of internal controls. Acceptance Samples examine small numbers of transactions to verify the effectiveness of the internal controls. Surveys gather information on methods and procedures for the purpose of identifying successful operations and sharing information amongst the SESAs.

      The major tax functions included in Core RQC are:

      (1)  Status Determinations

      (2)  Cashiering

      (3)  Report Delinquency

      (4)  Collections

      (5)  Field Audits

      (6)  Account Maintenance

      The Program Review and Survey segments of Core RQC were "pre-tested" in 1990 in nine volunteer SESAs. Revisions were made to the package based upon the feedback of those involved in the pretest. Eight SESAs are currently involved in pilot testing the revised Core RQC package.

   2. Benefit Charging Accuracy.  This module involves two steps:

      (1)  determining whether claimants' base period employers have been correctly charged or noncharged for benefits paid, and

      (2)  determining whether the proper share of benefit payments has been allocated to chargeable employers. Pilot testing has been completed in six SESAs and the results are being evaluated.

   3. Employer Compliance.  This module, which is in the early development stage, is an attempt to produce a single measure for the dollar impact of employers' tax compliance (or noncompliance) through two components: compliance with taxreporting and compliance with paying contributions due.

   4. Data Validation.  Reported data can be used to evaluate performance. RQC will develop a methodology to validate report data to ensure that the data mean the same thing in every State.

5. State Nomination of Staff to Provide Technical Support in the Development of RQC. The current contractual assignment for our present team of IPAs is drawing to a close; therefore, the services of up to four new SESA tax staff will be needed. The RQC Workgroup is seeking individuals with knowledge and experience in SESA tax operations, with knowledge of automation in tax operations, and with good writing and analytical skills who can apply this expertise on a broad scope. The RQC workgroup isrecruiting SESA tax staff to work in Washington, D.C. on 1-1 1/2 year assignments, beginning in the summer of 1992. These staff will participate with National Office staff in preparing the Core RQC package for national implementation and in the development of the Employer Compliance module. A person serving on an IPA assignment with RQC remains a State employee, continuing to draw normal salary and benefits. Direction and control will be provided by Federal staff. Arrangements also will be made to reimburse employees for either (1) the reasonable cost of relocation to and from Washington, DC or (2) the reasonable cost of living expenses (per diem) while working in Washington, DC. Salary and relocation/per diem expenses may be paid by the SESA, the U.S. Department of Labor, or shared, depending on arrangements negotiated between the SESA and the Department.

6. Action Required. SESA Administrators are requested to notify appropriate staff of opportunities for IPA assignments and to forward resumes/applications of interested applicants to the Regional Office within 30 days of this UIPL. The resume/application should show work history (including duties), name and phone number of the applicant's supervisor, and the applicant's phone number.

7. Inquiries. Direct inquiries to your Regional Office.

8. Attachments. A general statement of duties is attached. Actual duties will be based on individual expertise and experiences. Also attached is an informational booklet on the IPA program.