Accountant I

Under limited supervision of the Delinquent Tax Manager, works with members of the public accepting payments, certifying documents, and responding to inquiries concerning functions of the Treasurer’s Office and other County departments, while exercising discretion and judgment. Works with the Revenue Accounting Supervisor to ensure payments are sent out in a timely, accurate manner. Performs high level clerical, accounting, and financial analysis to ensure the accurate processing and balancing of revenue received from various sources. Manages the Ottawa County Animal Licensing system. Performs technical and administrative work for the Treasurer’s Office requiring detailed knowledge of specialized departmental operations and rules in accordance with Michigan Compiled Laws. Performs detailed research and examination of legal documents to be recorded. Participates in the design, development and implementation of policies and practices to maintain industry best practices, safeguard County assets, and maintain world-class customer services.

This is a full-time, benefited position working at the Fillmore Complex in West Olive at 12220 Fillmore Street, West Olive, MI 49460. The schedule is Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Some travel to other county locations, as needed.

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Performs a variety of cashiering, cash handling, and accounting functions required to ensure the accurate processing, recording, and balancing of revenue received from various sources. Processes payments made in-person, over the phone, and on-line.
2. Conducts title and legal description research on deeds received, verifying that the legal description and ownership is accurate, and that the property is free of delinquent real property taxes for the previous five years, thereby issuing a certificate. Identifies discrepancies between data on deeds received and existing parcel data and researches and reconciles differences. Notifies property owners, engineers, land surveyors, attorneys, title companies, and other governmental agencies of errors on deeds or of delinquent real property taxes owing, providing instructions for correcting and resubmitting deeds for recording and a delinquent tax statement for the taxes that are owing. Compiles information required for recording of plats and condominiums.
3. Manages the animal license operation of the Treasurer’s Office. Coordinates the sale of kennel and dog licenses with local governmental units, veterinarians, and the Harbor Humane Society. Verifies with local governmental units and the Ottawa County Animal Control Officers that proper inspections have been completed. Manages the maintenance, testing, implementation, operation, modification, user maintenance, and training of the County’s web-based animal licensing program. Solicits bids for, maintains, distributes, and inventories kennel and dog license supplies. Prepares billings and reconciles license fee collections.
4. Reviews and processes amendments to prior years’ tax rolls. Completes calculations and forms to record the amendments. Makes amendments in the County’s BS&A Delinquent Tax.net software. Prepares journal entries to be posted to the general ledger, properly allocates revenues and fees to appropriate accounts, prepares billings, and submits payment requests to Accounts Payable.
5. Prepares, sorts, distributes, and delivers to the post office the weekly County check payments, the monthly dog license renewal applications, the annual kennel license renewal applications, and the quarterly delinquent real property tax notices.
6. Collects, organizes, and distributes payments and correspondence to various County Departments.
7. Processes all returned mail to determine the correct address and mails all items to the correct address.
8. Processes, prepares, and maintains a record of delinquent personal property tax payments and tax adjustments.
9. Reconciles general ledger accounts to subsidiary ledger at month end and year end. Prepares work papers for use in the annual audit.
10. Administers office business functions, managing inventories of operating and printing supplies, ordering supply inventory and verifying invoices for payment.
11. Maintains accurate and up-to-date millage cards for all taxing entities of the County based on the latest election results and forwards the millage card information onto the Ottawa County Equalization Department.
12. Provide notarization services for various documents to customers and multiple county departments.
13. Assists in the development and updating of processes, policies, and procedures to improve efficiency and improve overall customer experience.
14. Performs other duties as assigned, which could include the researching and preparing of reports, developing and implementing programs, and presenting technical data to management, elected officials, local units of government, and the public.

Associate degree from an accredited institution in Accounting or closely related field combined with three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in fund accounting or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Cash Handling Training for Treasury Personnel Certification strongly preferred.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

1. Thorough working knowledge in proper cash handling and cash accounting protocols, practices, and procedures.
2. Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of parcel numbers, property descriptions, parcel mapping, deeds, and survey data, additionally, understanding real estate terminology and title documents.
3. Knowledge of local government finance and the Michigan General Property Tax Act as amended by PA 123 of 1999.
4. Thorough working knowledge of principles and practices for both general ledger and fund accounting.
5. Thorough knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements governing the confidentiality of information, including the provisions of HIPAA.
6. Computer literacy, including thorough working knowledge of spreadsheet, database, accounting, e-commerce applications software, and ESRI based GIS software.
7. Good analytical, quantitative and critical thinking skills, along with good organizational skills.
8. Strong attention to detail.
9. Excellent interpersonal and human relations skills.
10. Ability to interact positively and objectively with directors, managers, employees, court officers, auditors, regulatory and funding agency staff, vendors, contractors, consultants, local government officials and staff, real estate brokers, title company staff, surveyors, property owners, lien holders, and members of the public from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, including both verbal and written interactions.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including, but not limited to, visual and/or audiological appliances and devices to increase mobility.

Working Conditions:

Work is generally performed in a normal office environment.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.