After a month's delay, the director general of the Finance Ministry, Yarom Ariav, appointed the other four members of the search committee that will recommend a new Israel Tax Authority (ITA) head in place of Jacky Matza, who resigned under a cloud of corruption accusations and police investigations.

Ariav will chair the committee. The other members are Civil Service Commissioner Shmuel Hollander, Yael Verba of the Justice Ministry, former treasury budgets division head Uri Yogev, and public representative Dr. Moshe Mandelbaum.

The ITA has not had a permanent chief since Matza resigned at the beginning of January, and his temporary replacement, former treasury director general Joseph Bachar, was appointed for a limited three-month term, which will expire on April 6.

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Finance Minister Abraham Hirchson instructed Ariav on February 18 to establish the committee, and in light of the importance and urgency of the matter, it is not clear why it took him so long.

The cabinet decided on February 25 to allow the next tax commissioner to be chosen without a public tender, but the waiver was conditional on the establishment of the search committee.

The committee on Thursday published an ad asking candidates to apply.

The requirements include a degree in accounting, economics or law, or an accountancy qualification. The candidate must have 10 years' experience in tax matters, and at least five years of management experience.

Candidates with degrees in other fields may apply if they have at least 12 years' experience in tax affairs and over six years of managerial experience.

Advanced degrees are considered an advantage, and experience in negotiations is required.

Given that several former tax chiefs have refused to accept the position, the next tax commissioner will likely be from the private sector -probably a senior tax expert from an accounting or law firm.

Ariav said Thursday that in light of the importance of the position, he would hold intensive meetings to find the most appropriate candidate.

The committee also may approach individuals it deems suitable.