Santa Cruz County

DEFINITION

Under direction, to plan, organize, coordinate and direct the property tax accounting activities of the Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector's office, and to do other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This position is a single class position and oversees the property tax operations of the Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector's office. This class is responsible for supervising and coordinating the work of professional, supervisory and accounting clerical staff. The Tax Manager is distinguished from the Accounting Manager in that the latter has responsibility for managing multiple divisions in the department, whereas the former oversees the operations of the Property Tax Division in the department.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Performs complex accounting studies including the determination of Countywide tax rates, the distribution of tax increments to entities, and the calculation and distribution of property tax fees;
• Performs and reviews reconciliations to the property tax accounting system;
• Analyzes legislative changes and develops systems and procedures to implement changes as appropriate;
• Troubleshoots automated tax accounting system problems, diagnoses system errors and coordinates with the vendor and Information Services staff to resolve problems;
• Provides technical assistance to departmental staff and to staff in other departments and special districts;
• Researches special accounting or tax code problems and conducts highly complex studies;
• Supervises, trains and evaluates the work of subordinate supervisory and professional staff;
• Establishes priorities;
• Assures that reports prepared by staff are accurate, adhere to acceptable accounting standards, are prepared within established timelines, and conform to applicable laws, rules and regulations;
• Analyzes and solves difficult administrative and accounting problems;
• Ensures efficient work flow between other units and offices and implements necessary changes to maintain and improve services;
• Acts as liaison with outside tax vendor and Information Services staff regarding modifications and enhancements to the automated tax reporting system.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Thorough knowledge of:

• Property tax collection and apportionment practices and procedures;
• Tax accounting principles, practices and procedures relating to the analysis and reconciliation of the various property tax rolls;
• State Revenue and Taxation Code and other laws and regulations relating to the work of the property tax unit;
• Record keeping and reporting procedures and requirements for secured, unsecured, and supplemental taxes;
• Automated property tax computer systems and procedures for extending the tax roll annually within the system;
• Complex parcel transactions, including transfers, escapes, corrections and refund processing.

Working knowledge of:

• Accounting systems and procedures applicable to the receipt, deposit, distribution, collection, and disbursement of funds in a public agency;
• Related computer technology systems, hardware and applicable software applications and operations;
• Principles and practices of supervision, including work planning, scheduling, reviewing, evaluating and training;
• Administrative policies governing contracts, claims, and reimbursements in a public agency.

Ability to:

• Understand, interpret, and apply the Revenue and Taxation Code and other laws and regulations relating to the work of the division;
• Analyze new and proposed legislation and determine its impact on the Property Tax Division and the County;
• Reconcile differences within the property tax system;
• Coordinate the enhancement and implementation of the computerized tax accounting system;
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate subordinate staff;
• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate varied accounting operations;
• Develop or revise accounting systems, processes and activities to meet changing needs and requirements;
• Analyze and evaluate financial information, researching and gathering appropriate information to timely and efficiently resolve problems;
• Prepare clear and concise accounting and narrative reports;
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with a variety of governmental officials, coworkers and the public;
• Develop, implement and administer automated data gathering, processing and reporting systems.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college with major course work in accounting, business administration or a related field (including 9 semester units in accounting) AND four years of increasingly responsible accounting experience in property tax accounting or auditing work, preferably in a governmental or public agency, including one year of supervisory experience.

OR

Equivalent to an Associate's degree from an accredited college with major course work in accounting, business administration or a related field (including 9 semester units in accounting) AND six years of increasingly responsible accounting experience in property tax accounting or auditing work, preferably in a governmental or public agency, including one year of supervisory experience.

Special Requirements/Conditions:

License Requirement: Possession of a valid California C Driver License or the ability to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.

Background Investigation: Must pass a background investigation, which includes fingerprints.

Bargaining Unit: 11
EEOC Category: 02
Occupational Grouping: 80
Worker's Comp Code: 0053