Senior Accountant/Chief Deputy Tax Collector

Jefferson County•Madras Oregon, OR

About The Position

The Senior Accountant/Chief Deputy Tax Collector performs professional accounting and financial analysis for Governmental and Proprietary funds. The position oversees accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, monthly journal entries and reconciliations, and other fiscal operations in the Finance/Tax Department. It exercises independent, technically advanced judgment in financial management and prepares reports, statements, and analyses. A strong background in governmental fund accounting is preferred. The position works under the direct supervision of the Finance Director/Custodial Officer/Treasurer (if the Finance Director is the County Treasurer)/Tax Collector. It serves as chief deputy tax collector under the appointed Tax Collector and, where applicable, as chief deputy treasurer under the elected Treasurer. The position also backs up Staff Accountants and the Finance Director as needed to maintain essential fiscal functions. Work is performed indoors and outdoors, with some safety considerations related to physical labor and handling light-to-medium-weight, awkward materials. The position is based on successful completion of a nine-month probationary period. Regular attendance is essential.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business with an accounting emphasis from an accredited four-year college or university and three years of progressively responsible financial and managerial accounting experience; or an associate’s degree in the listed field and five years of experience; or eight years of an equivalent combination of related education, training, and experience.
Specialized professional knowledge of financial accounting principles, cost-benefit analysis, and financial management of projects and programs.
Technical knowledge of general payroll laws, regulations, procedures, practices, and fair employment laws and practices.
Basic knowledge of common employee benefits provisions, including group insurance, paid time off, retirement, and capital accumulation plans.
Demonstrated ability to access relational databases, verify numerical and demographic information, and enter information using established data-entry screens.
Considerable knowledge of office procedures, practices, and equipment; skill using PC-based programs.
Ability to communicate professionally and courteously with the public, employees, and administrators.
Ability to perform account and variance analysis, prepare account adjustments, and complete financial statements and custom reports using PC-based financial software and spreadsheets.
Ability to coordinate and prioritize complicated assignments with strict deadlines while handling interruptions from the public.
Ability to perform detailed work involving numerical data and legal descriptions, follow written and verbal instructions, and meet deadlines, sometimes under stressful circumstances.
Ability to sit at a computer screen and use rapid arm, hand, and finger movements for extended periods; stand, stoop, bend, kneel, or crawl when required; occasionally lift, push, or pull up to 30 pounds; and converse by phone and in person.
Must complete cashier/financial transaction training approved by the Finance Director upon hire; periodic refresher training may be required.
Regular attendance is an essential function.

Nice To Haves

A strong background in fund accounting as prescribed for governmental units.

Responsibilities

Greet the public and staff courteously and professionally in person, by telephone, and by email.
Review transactions for accuracy, account coding or classification, and allocation.
Reconcile fixed assets, expenditures, cash, accounts payable, payroll, accounts receivable, and County bank accounts.
Maintain County Insurance Property, Auto, and Equipment schedules throughout the fiscal year.
Assist the Finance Director with annual and supplemental county-wide budget preparation.
Reconcile cash balances, investigate accounting-system errors, and recommend correcting entries.
Maintain master records of manual journal entries.
Review and provide preliminary approval of tax adjustments and refunds.
Analyze and correct complex tax-account errors and reconcile Tax Office financial activity.
Assist with management of the taxation computer system for tax statements, collection, and distribution.
Propose, communicate, and draft policies and procedures to improve customer service and financial proficiency for Tax Collection, Custodial Officer, Treasurer, and General Ledger Management.
Review compliance with laws concerning bankruptcy tax accounts, real-property tax foreclosure, and personal-property garnishments and seizures.
Review the monthly Financial Investment report for compliance with County Investment Policy and ensure segregation of duties for cash handling, investment reconciliation, and deposits.
Prepare and distribute monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
Prepare audit reports and work papers as assigned by the Finance Director.
Develop and coordinate the Annual Grantee Performance Report, if applicable, the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA), and other contract or grant documentation as needed.
Maintain and process payroll accounting records, resolve errors, balance accounts, and prepare records.
Reconcile, analyze, and interpret standard payroll and accounting data and records.
Prepare and propose training for County departments on County policies and procedures.
Serve as backup to Staff Accountants and the Finance Director when needed to maintain essential fiscal functions.
Serve as chief deputy tax collector under the appointed Tax Collector and, if applicable, chief deputy treasurer under the elected Treasurer.
File, index, organize, and maintain records according to State of Oregon archiving rules.
Provide support to other departments when needed and assigned.
Attend meetings, trainings, and conferences related to assigned duties.
Handle and process cash, checks, credit/debit cards, and electronic transactions according to established financial procedures.
Follow internal controls and cash-handling policies; complete cashier/financial transaction training upon hire and periodic refresher training as required.
Perform other duties that support the department’s objectives.