Finance and Tax Officer "INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY"

Pottawattamie County•Council Bluffs, IA

About The Position

Under limited supervision, performs moderate to complex accounting work, utilizing general accounting principles and practices. Maintains financial records requiring an understanding of the County’s established accounting procedures. Provides accounting / financial support of County departments/agencies; reconciles, maintains, monitors and controls major groupings of funds, or revenue / expenditure accounts. Will provide general supervision to the Accounting Technician, Assistant Finance & Tax Officer and Account Clerk II.

Requirements

Knowledge of accounting methods and terminology.
Knowledge of principles / practices of fund accounting in government.
Knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations relating to the collection / disbursement of County funds.
Knowledge of local government budgeting / financial management procedures.
Knowledge of cash handling and balancing procedures.
Knowledge of general office practices and procedures.
Knowledge of business English, spelling and grammar.
Knowledge of and the ability to maintain departmental policies, practices and standards.
Intermediate keyboard and typing skills.
Proficient skill in operating a personal computer and other general office equipment.
Proficient alpha / numeric proofreading skills.
Ability to accurately perform complex accounting calculations.
Ability to create and maintain complex ledgers / spreadsheets including mathematical / accounting formulas utilizing various hardware and software programs.
Ability to make routine decisions, in accordance with laws, rules, regulations, and departmental policies and procedures.
Ability to research, analyze, and resolve moderately complex problems / discrepancies.
Ability to juggle several tasks at once; continuously prioritize / re-prioritize tasks.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to maintain accurate and complete office records.
Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with other County employees and the general public using courtesy, patience, and tact.
Position requires a high school diploma or GED.
College Associate Degree or 2 years experience in accounting or any combination of training and experience that will have provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Responsibilities

Assists with the preparation of property valuations and distributes to county taxing entities and to the State Department of Management.
Creation, publication and compliance for financial and real estate reporting to the Department of Management, Department of Revenue, State Auditor, Treasurer of Iowa and dept disclosure including County Annual Financial report, GAAP report, debt reporting and valuation reporting.
Calculates utility valuations per State Department of Revenue. (i.e. railroad mileage, utility lines)
Prepares real estate taxes and abstracts of taxes and certifies same to County Treasurer annually.
Input and certifies tax rates per taxing entity.
Tax billing process including certified levy rates per authority fund applied to system, state credit allowance percentages and data applied, TIF actual revenue calculation applied and verified against valuation estimates for accuracy.
Obtains appropriate data and prepares levy sheets and distributes to county taxing entities and to the State Department of Management.
Reviews and makes corrections to the County tax book.
Prepares valuation increments for Urban Renewal and TIF districts.
Ordinance, amendment certification to the County for TIF revenue collection by approving authorities in the County.
Create new taxing districts when necessary for TIF based on amendment.
Prepares appropriations, re-appropriations and amendments of budgeted funds per department funds per fiscal year.
Apply to general ledger.
Receives all county, city, school and township budgets and oversees distribution to the State Department of Management.
Responsible for 1099 filing and reporting in Accounts Payable.
Real Estate Records maintenance including roll over process and value maintenance in splits and combined parcels.
Assistance in Elections department if required.
Public assistance for phone and counter questions in all aspects of duties.
Work with State Auditor each year at annual audit time.
Perform other duties as directed or as the situation dictates.