Staff Accountant II/Deputy Tax Collector - INTERNAL POSTING ONLY

***INTERNAL POSTING ONLY***

(Only current Jefferson County employees are eligible to apply for this position)
CLOSING DATE, SUNDAY, JULY 7, 2024

The Staff Accountant II/Deputy Tax Collector performs a wide range of high-level accounting and financial activities.  This position is responsible for the coordination of property tax notices, monthly taxing district distributions, general ledger reconciliations, and any other operational fiscal affairs as needed in the Finance/Tax Department.

This position works under the direct supervision of the Finance Director/Custodial Officer/Treasurer (if the Finance Director is the County Treasurer)/Tax Collector and under the occasional direction of the Senior Accountant/Chief Deputy Tax Collector.  The Staff Accountant II supports and assists in the processing, routing, and tracking tax, payables, and cash receipting and assists with payroll while maintaining essential internal controls and preparing reconciliations. 

• Greets public and other staff in a courteous and professional manner in person, by telephone, or by email.
• Communicates effectively with internal and external customers via telephone, email, mailed correspondence, and in person.
• Assists with preparation of monthly reconciliation for the County’s bank accounts and reviews Finance/Custodial report for compliance with County Investment Policy
• Reviews Deposit reconciliations and reports to ensure dual custody procedures are maintained.
• Assists with preparation of such items as fixed assets, expenditures, cash, accounts payable, payroll and accounts receivable.
• Develops and maintains a detailed knowledge of the accounts payable function and the ability to perform all duties related to both interim and scheduled accounts payable runs.
• Assists with the completion of the Annual Grantee Performance Report (if applicable) and Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).
• Prepares the generation, coordination, and mailing of tax statements and notices.
• Maintains compliance with laws related to tax accounts in bankruptcy, real property tax foreclosure, and personal property garnishments and seizures.
• Calculates monthly tax distributions to taxing districts.
• Daily posting of payments, including cash, check, debit/credit card, and Data Exchange received by mail, online, or in person through various mechanisms (manual and/or scanner). 
• Assists in preparing documents for turning over daily tax receipts to Treasurer. Process image cash letters to the bank per department policies.
• Assists County Treasurer in reviewing, auditing, and transferring monthly Tax Distribution to taxing districts.
• Prepares tax adjustments and refunds. Analyzes and reports errors in tax accounts and reconciles Tax Office financial activity.
• Comprehends tax collection procedures and statutes to be able to explain or answer questions from taxpayers, lenders, and title companies pertaining to tax collection and foreclosure proceedings (ORS 311 and 312) via phone, email, or in person.
• Reviews delinquent notices, tax warrants, and foreclosure notices for accuracy.
• Provides cash reporting and distribution assistance to the Chief Deputy Tax Collector.
• Maintains bankruptcy accounts, monthly Summary of Property Tax Collections; quarterly Survey of Property Tax Collections, create and update notations and taxpayer addresses in tax software.
• Verify/correct accuracy of general ledger distribution, amounts, and posting of transactions recorded by others.  Posts and balances subsidiary ledgers such as A/P and transfer data to the general ledger.   Traces transactions to determine discrepancies.
• Performs reconciliations, balancing, and compilation of reports regularly.  Traces transactions through previous accounting actions to identify and correct discrepancies.
• Prepares and reviews records of financial transactions for entry of information into a computerized accounting system.  Performs general ledger coding, calculations, allocations, segregations, or classifications as required.
• Proposes, communicates, and drafts policies and procedures to optimize customer service and financial proficiency related to Tax Collection, Treasurer, and General Ledger Management (i.e., Standard Operating Procedures).
• Research and review Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administration Rules; determine the impact of new legislation on taxation; and ensure appropriate implementation and compliance. 
• Prepares basic audit reports and work papers as needed during the annual audit process. 
• Assists with reconciliations and data review of monthly payroll procedures and maintenance of payroll records. 
• This position serves as a deputy tax collector under the delegation of the appointed Tax Collector and general direction of the Chief Deputy Tax Collector.  
• This position serves as a deputy treasurer under the delegation of the elected Treasurer if the Finance Director is the County Treasurer.  
• Serves as a backup to the Senior Accountant for secondary review procedures of Finance/Custodial & Deposit reconciliations and reports to ensure dual custody procedures are maintained. 
• Files, indexes, organizes, and maintains records per State of Oregon archiving rules.
• Provides support to other departments when needed and as assigned.
• Attends meetings, trainings, and conferences pertaining to assigned duties.
• Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position and department.
• Regular attendance is an essential function of the position.

Knowledge and Skills
Requires strong working knowledge of the practices and terminology of accounting practices. Working knowledge of GAAP, financial accounting, cost-benefit analysis, and Oregon Revised Statutes. Requires advanced knowledge of office procedures, practices, and equipment.
Excellent working knowledge of assessment and taxation laws, procedures, and legal descriptions and deeds of transference. Advanced personal computer skills in spreadsheets, databases, and automated accounting systems, as well as an understanding of computer operations and networks. 

Abilities
Ability to effectively communicate with public, employees, and administrators in a professional, open, and friendly manner. Ability to perform various account analysis and complete custom reports using PC-based financial software and spreadsheets.
Ability to read and analytically understand tax account balances.  Ability to research and review tax credit balances to ensure proper corrections are processed. Ability to coordinate and prioritize numerous complicated assignments, often with strict deadlines, while dealing with interruptions from the public. Ability to perform detailed work involving both numerical data and legal descriptions.   Ability to follow written and verbal instructions. Must be able to meet various deadlines, sometimes under stressful circumstances.

Physical Abilities
The ability to sit at a computer screen using rapid arm, hand, and finger movement for extended periods of time.  The ability to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, or crawl when required.  The ability to lift, push or pull up to 30 lbs. occasionally. Ability to engage in conversations over the phone and in person. Requires the ability to perform data entry at 7,500 KPH or more with 98% accuracy.

Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, administration, or a related field and two years of progressively responsible financial and managerial accounting experience; or equivalent experience in a related field. May alternatively possess an associate degree as listed above and have four years of experience; or six years of an equivalent combination of related education, training, and experience to perform the aspects of the job. Tax collection experience is required.Working Conditions
Work is performed indoors and outdoors where some safety considerations exist from physical labor and handling of light-to-medium weight materials.

Probationary Requirement
This position is based on the successful completion of a nine-month probationary period.

***INTERNAL POSTING ONLY***

(Only current Jefferson County employees are eligible to apply for this position)
CLOSING DATE, SUNDAY, JULY 7, 2024

Salary : $64,937 - $82,998