Sales & Use Tax Auditor

City of Streamboat Strings•Steamboat Springs, CO

6d•$66,896 - $96,999•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Steamboat Springs' Finance Department is seeking a Sales & Use Tax Auditor to join their team. This role is responsible for the enforcement of tax compliance as provided for in the Municipal Code by auditing taxpayer records, reviewing construction use tax reconciliations, educating taxpayers, and providing customer service. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of general accounting principles, attention to detail, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and the ability to work with and assess customers for tax liability. Excellent teamwork skills, self-discipline, and the ability to maintain confidentiality are also required. The City of Steamboat Springs is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating a welcoming environment for all employees and the community.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration or related field, and Experience in sales tax auditing (preferably Colorado sales tax), general accounting; or Any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Working knowledge of accounting/auditing theory and a thorough understanding of business bookkeeping.
Working knowledge of computer operations in an accounting environment, including proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
Ability to maintain efficient and effective financial systems and procedures.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, city officials, and the public.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
State of Colorado driver’s license.
Ability to prioritize essential functions.

Nice To Haves

Colorado sales tax auditing experience

Responsibilities

Conduct sales tax audits of currently operating businesses within the City of Steamboat Springs, including reviewing taxpayer records, preparing draft and final audit findings, and generating assessments.
Conduct internal audits of city departments that collect sales tax, and other internal audits as requested by departments.
Review and research the City of Steamboat Springs Sales & Use Tax Code and Regulations to apply to audits and educate customers for future compliance.
Recommend and draft changes to the code and/or regulations for manager and legal review.
Review construction permits to ensure proper use tax deposits and other fees are paid when the permit is issued.
Review construction use tax reconciliations and conduct construction use tax audits for projects completed within the City of Steamboat Springs.
Sign off in the building department software for the Finance portion of the required certificate of occupancy on building permits.
Manage all sales tax delinquencies, including follow-up calls, sending Notices of Determination with estimated assessments, setting up payment plans, issuing court summonses, drafting contracts for review (e.g., jeopardy assessments, liens, distraint warrants), and conducting seizures of businesses.
Collaborate with State agency representatives as needed.
Track all delinquency actions in a database and follow up on a monthly basis.
Manage the monthly statistical reporting provided to City Council, staff, and the public.
Prepare clear and comprehensive statistical reports on the city’s sales and use tax data, as well as comparison data for other mountain communities.
Manage, prepare, and remit the quarterly sales tax returns to the City and the State on behalf of the City of Steamboat Springs.
Manage and prepare the quarterly tax surveys to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Prepare year-end ACFR statistics and audit schedules as assigned.
Review and verify all Claims for Refund submitted for City sales or use tax, determine if additional document review or audit is necessary, and submit check requests for refunds.
Prepare journal entries as needed.
Collaborate with the tax division to maintain the Municipal Tax page of the city website.
Record and maintain all essential documents in adherence to the City’s current records retention policies.
Develop, implement, and present training seminars for the public using various distribution methods (email, city webpage, social media).
Create and maintain public tax information brochures.
Improve public awareness and outreach by networking with local entities such as the community college and the chamber of commerce.
Stay updated on current tax topics and audit issues by networking with other self-collecting municipalities.
Attend available trainings and participate in Colorado Tax Auditor Coalition meetings.
Provide superior customer service to both internal and external customers on sales tax and building use tax questions.
Respond to inquiries/complaints related to tax ordinance compliance.
Provide data to community partners as allowable in accordance with the code.
Assist Finance Department staff on special projects as requested by the Director and/or Manager.
Serve as a backup to the Sales Tax Technician in matters of licensing, daily deposits, posting sales, and customer service as needed.