Business and Occupation Tax Analyst

City of Shoreline • Shoreline, WA

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• Two years of increasingly responsible experience in accounting, taxation, finance or closely related field; specific state or local tax experience preferred.
• Experience performing financial audits preferred.
• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work related to business and accounting.
• Knowledge of principles and methods of conducting tax audits.
• Knowledge of government tax software.
• Knowledge of principles and methods of performing statistical analyses.
• Knowledge of City and State tax laws and regulations; specific experience in Washington State and Local Tax laws preferred.
• Knowledge of general accounting techniques.
• Knowledge of principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Knowledge of 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.
• Ability to reconcile complex accounting transactions and taxpayer accounts.
• Ability to establish and effective working relationships with external and internal customers and coworkers.
• Ability to analyze transactions and complex financial information.
• Ability to 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.
• Ability to maintain and disseminate confidential information in a professional manner in accordance with statute and policy for the city and other impacted agencies.
• Ability to propose changes and streamline processes.
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively with customers, co-workers, other City Staff, and other outside agencies as required.

Nice To Haves

• Specific experience in Washington State and Local Tax laws preferred.
• Experience performing financial audits preferred.
• Certified Public Accounting license, preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Serve as a tax subject matter expert, collaborating with the City Attorney to interpret relative tax law and court decisions.
• 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 staff.
• 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.
• Develop and conduct compliance functions, including 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.
• Detect unregistered businesses and taking steps to register and collecting any back-taxes that are due.
• Educate 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.
• Provide analytical and/or coordination support for other departmental functions.
• 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.
• Participate in special projects as assigned.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level