Business and Occupation Tax Analyst

Shoreline is an inclusive City that endeavors to build a work culture which embraces diversity, encourages participation, and promotes equity. The Administrative Services Department (ASD) provides leadership and oversight to ensure the effective management and financial integrity of the City’s programs, activities, and resources. The Department develops, implements, and monitors policies, systems, and processes in the areas of budgeting, financial administration, accounting, procurement, internal controls, utility billing, and information technology. ASD has more than 30 employees organized into three work units reporting to the Administrative Services Director: Budget & Tax, Finance Operations, and Information Technology. The B&O Tax Analyst serves as the functional system owner and business analyst for the City’s B&O Tax systems and processes. The position is responsible for the day-to-day administration, processing, and compliance activities associated with the City’s B&O Tax program. This includes developing, documenting, and maintaining business processes and procedures; supporting taxpayer education and communication; monitoring compliance; and identifying opportunities to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and customer experience of B&O Tax administration. The B&O Tax Analyst works collaboratively with staff throughout the organization who support related processes, including annual business licensing and quarterly B&O Tax filings. The position also works closely with the Budget & Tax Finance Manager to represent the City in state and regional discussions related to B&O Tax administration, regulatory requirements, and the FileLocal partnership. The B&O Tax Analyst will play a lead role in the continued expansion, automation, and integration of the City’s B&O Tax processes. The position is expected to identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement, strengthen internal controls and compliance, and help ensure the City’s B&O Tax is administered consistently, efficiently, fairly, and equitably. DEFINITION To administer the Business and Occupation Tax Program as well as other miscellaneous tax programs; providing taxpayer assistance and education, account maintenance and ensuring compliance with the tax and business license codes and to provide tax program-related support to the Administrative Services Department and other City departments. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives administrative supervision from the assigned supervisor or manager. ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Essential Functions Administer the Business and Occupation tax program including evaluating and recommending policies, procedures, administrative rules, and operating practices. Serve as the business owner, functional administrator and subject matter expert for City’s tax administration system in partnership with the Information Technology Division for technical support and collaboration. Representative work will include installation, testing, debugging, troubleshooting, managing interfaces and working with vendors. Serve as a tax subject matter expert, collaborating with the City Attorney to interpret relative tax law and court decisions. Additionally, maintain tax statistics and information resources. Collaborate with the City Clerk and other departments on annual business licensing processes. Provide exceptional customer service and technical assistance to taxpayers on the most complex questions that require advanced interpretation or research by other sta?. Representative work will include explaining tax code and how to ?le taxes, providing information and tax rates, and developing and providing taxpayer education and outreach programs. Perform recurring financial and administrative processes to ensure accurate accounting and reporting of tax receipts and taxpayer accounts. Review taxpayer accounts and tax filings for accuracy and compliance with code. Representative work will include detailed taxpayer account reconciliations, identification of refunds, reviewing transactions and business licenses, and identification of unregistered businesses. Develop and conduct compliance functions, Representative work will include: Performing routine and complex tax audits; determining the audit scope, examination procedures, professional investigative and auditing techniques to verify and interpret source documents, evaluate accounting and reporting records, conducting interviews to acquire an understanding of business activities, accounting systems, reports, documents and tax reporting procedures; performing calculations and determining whether the correct tax and license fees have been paid; preparing audit worksheets, schedules, reports and files Detecting unregistered businesses and taking steps to register and collecting any back- taxes that are due. Educating taxpayers; explaining complex tax law in a clear, concise manner. Identification and collection of delinquent tax filings. Act on complex account delinquencies that cannot be resolved through routine efforts. Work with delinquent taxpayers and unregistered businesses to promote tax-filing and license registration compliance. As needed and assigned, provide analytical and/or coordination support for other departmental functions. Representative assignments might be assisting the budget office during peak times, or monitoring trends, or analyzing data. Develop revenue forecasts and trend analyses related to Business and Occupation tax revenues. Provide policy analysis and recommendations to supervisor on program changes and improvements. Present recommendations regarding proposed ordinance changes to City Council, City Leadership, and advisory bodies. Recommend code amendments and administrative improvements. Represent the City with state agencies, Association of Washington Cities (AWC), Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC), or regional tax groups Marginal Functions Participate in special projects as assigned. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. Knowledge of Principles and methods of conducting tax audits. Government tax software. Principles and methods of performing statistical analyses. City and State tax laws and regulations; specific experience in Washington State and Local Tax laws preferred. General accounting techniques. Principles and procedures of record keeping. Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation. Understanding of general and industry specific business and accounting practices. Ability to Participate and work effectively in an organization committed to advancing principles and practices of equity and anti-racism. Reconcile complex accounting transactions and taxpayer accounts. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with external and internal customers and coworkers. Analyze transactions and complex financial information. Prioritize and manage many projects and tasks simultaneously, with numerous interruptions, and meet strict deadlines. Proficiently use Windows based word processing, spreadsheet and database software; including but not limited to template use, formulas, and queries. Maintain and disseminate confidential information in a professional manner in accordance with statute and policy for the city and other impacted agencies. Propose changes and streamline processes. Work both independently and cooperatively with customers, co-workers, other City Staff, and other outside agencies as required. Experience Two years of increasingly responsible experience in accounting, taxation, finance or closely related field; specific state or local tax experience preferred. Training Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work related to business and accounting. License or Certificate: Certified Public Accounting license, preferred. Environmental Conditions Office environment; may travel from site to site; exposure to computer screens. Application Process To demonstrate skills and interest, please complete the application and provide answers to the Supplemental Questions which will help us determine your qualifications for the job.(This application does NOT allow for attachments.) Conditions Of Employment All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas. All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor. Remote Work Eligibility This position is eligible for remote work. The City’s remote work policy, Employees Working Remotely, requires staff in positions eligible for remote work to work onsite a minimum of four days per pay period (every two weeks), the schedule will be mutually agreed upon with the supervisor. Full-time remote work is not an option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington. Recruitment Timeline Review of applications: August 27 Tentative Panel interviews: Week of September 8 Reference checks: Week of September 14 Targeted start date: Last week of September The City’s mission is to fulfill the community’s vision through highly valued public service. Our employees work relentlessly to achieve organizational goals while embracing the City’s values. City Mission, Values, and Goals. #J-18808-Ljbffr City-of-Shoreline,-W