POSITION PURPOSE / IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION
This is professional accounting work in conducting City tax audits and related fieldwork, and providing taxpayer education. Duties involve the responsibility for conducting audits of businesses to assure compliance with City ordinances, handling taxpayer education activities, and assisting the Revenue Agent with the collection function. The varied work situations and problems encountered require employee to possess detailed familiarity with laws and accounting practices related to municipal tax matters.
This position is located at Westminster City Hall, 4800 W. 92nd Avenue. A Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., a Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., or a Tuesday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. schedule would be considered. After a 100 percent in-office onboarding period, some remote schedule options may be offered based on operational coverage requirements.
In order to be considered for this position, all candidates must attach a cover letter and resume (maximum of two pages for each document) to the online application at the time of submittal. The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee’s level of proficiency and usage.
ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES AND CULTURAL VALUES/GENERAL COMPETENCIES
The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service - People - Integrity - Respect - Innovation - Teamwork).
This position supports the goals of the Finance Department, which provides quality financial services and expertise necessary to support a financially sustainable City Government.
Every employee is accountable to:- Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
- Communicate with customers to ensure that where possible they are satisfied and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
- Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
- Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
- Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty and ethical behavior
- Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
- Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility and takes calculated risks when appropriate
- Participate in personal growth opportunities and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
- Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
- Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
- Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences
GENERAL COMPETENCIES Citywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to: - Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
- Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses and target areas for personal self-development
- Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
- Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
- Achieve goals, handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
- Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
- Demonstrate accountability for work and take ownership in job performance
- Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product
Job Specific - Every employee in this position must be able to: - Demonstrate considerable knowledge of generally accepted accounting procedures and principles
- Demonstrate knowledge of modern practices, principles and procedures in the performance of audits
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills including the ability to express ideas concisely and clearly, verbally and in writing
- Demonstrate working knowledge of various word processing and spreadsheet applications
- Analyze and solve a wide variety of auditing and accounting problems
- Assist in initiating and executing revenue collection procedures
- Handle the stress of court appearances and give effective testimony in support of the City's position
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with, other employees, city officials and the public, even in contentious circumstances
- Transport and operate a personal computer
- Demonstrate knowledge of municipal revenue laws, requirements and procedures
- Demonstrate knowledge of computerized database systems, computerized accounting systems, and geographic information systems
Leadership - Every employee in this position is accountable to: - Foster a participatory organizational climate that is open, positive, reinforcing and supportive
- Encourage employees to be accountable for their work and take ownership in what they do
- Demonstrate leadership and courage by making or supporting decisions that reflect the organizational mission and goals even when the decision may be unpopular to some
- Demonstrate collaboration and conflict resolution skills with other departments and employees
JOB SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS
Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities and Tasks 1. Auditing:
- Recommends taxpayers to be audited
- Commutes to taxpayer offices both locally and out-of-town to obtain taxpayer records to perform fieldwork of businesses, which may include the following activities:
- Reads taxpayer records to evaluate taxpayer’s accounting systems, internal controls, availability, volume and reliability of records
- Recognizes different accounting systems and compiles tax information from incomplete records
- Interprets and applies Westminster Municipal Code provisions to determine compliance and identify exceptions from City ordinances;
Communicates audit results to taxpayer or taxpayer's representative both orally and in writingCommunicates audit findings at informal meetings, to hearing officers, and in courtEvaluates audit practices and procedures so as to simplify process and increase revenue collection efficiency, and proposes procedural changesMaintains current overall knowledge and in-depth specific knowledge of evolving complex tax issues and applicable State and Federal lawsReviews and issues final determination on claims for refundTakes lead role in review of Voluntary Disclosure Agreements and related compliance agreementsIdentifies projects and follow up on tax reporting requirements for construction activities in the City of Westminster2. Tax Software Program:
- Works with the Sales Tax Leadership, IT Staff, Vendors, and other stakeholders to identify and implement software program updates, enhancements, or new tax systems for the benefit of the organization
- Assists in the implementation of new software systems or processes
3. Accounting:
- Assists with monthly and year-end close activities
- Provides support to the Sales Tax Leadership in responding to accounting inquires
4. Enforcement:
- Assists the Revenue Agent with collection activities as necessary, including issuing summons, representing the City at Municipal Court proceedings, monitoring business activity, and coordinating distraints
5. Taxpayer Education:
- Conducts tax compliance seminars for groups and individual businesses
- Represents the City at professional and public organizations
6. Communicates with businesses in person and over the phone to ensure that City taxes are being properly charged, collected and remitted
7. Drafts and updates City tax guides, rules and regulations
8. Maintains regular and punctual attendance
Other Duties and Responsibilities 1. Operates a copy machine, fax machine and other standard office equipment
2. Assists with preparing financial, audit, and enforcement reports as assigned
3. Reads hard copy request, including supporting documentation, to verify requests for refunds
4. Answers telephone, greets general public and provides clerical support for the Sales Tax Division on a periodic basis
Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS/PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses and Certifications Required :- Graduation from a four (4)-year college with major course work in accounting or closely related field
- Experience in accounting or auditing
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain a safe driving record for continued employment
- Proficient with Microsoft Excel
Preferred : - Experience in sales and use tax auditing at a state or local level
- Experience using GenTax
Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.
Physical Requirements Work is sedentary in nature and requires sufficient physical stamina and strength for:
- Constant sitting to perform daily tasks; occasional walking through a multilevel facility to retrieve information; frequent standing sometimes for extended periods
- Frequent squatting, reaching above shoulder and twisting to file documents and lift supplies and material; occasional bending, kneeling, climbing, balancing and reaching below shoulder to store documents, material and supplies
- Constant light grasp, fine manipulation, and handling to perform daily duties; occasional firm grasp to safely use equipment
- Frequent lifting, carrying, push/pulling of up to ten (10) pounds to move material and supplies; occasional lifting, pushing/pulling of up to twenty-five (25) pounds with dollies and carts
- Lift and transport various audit supplies including audit bags and work papers sometimes weighing up to 20 pounds
WORKING CONDITIONS Work is constantly performed indoors. This is primarily sedentary office work. Some of the work will take place outside of City Hall. When auditing, position requires traveling within Denver Metro area during normal working hours and occasionally out of state for one to two weeks duration. Audits may be conducted in adverse working environments controlled by the taxpayer. Must routinely transport various audit supplies, audit bag, and portable computer weighing up to 20 pounds. Must demonstrate the ability to meet the physical demands of the job including the ability to retrieve information from various locations in the office when needed. Exposure to periods of high activity and high stress under demanding conditions. The position requires a great deal of communication with City employees, the public, and outside agencies.
Required Materials and Equipment Basic office equipment including but not limited to: personal computer, computer terminal, fax machine, postage machine, computer printer, ten-key calculator, and telephone.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS - Background checks will include employment references and criminal history and when applicable, credit check, driver’s license record, education verification
- Pre-employment drug screen
- Must be legally entitled to work in the United States
The City of Westminster offers a comprehensive benefit package including:
- Health and Dental
- Flexible Spending
- Pension/ Retirement Plans
- Term Life Insurance
- Long-term Disability
- Survivor Benefits
- Wellness Program
- General leave that provides vacation, holidays, illness leave and administrative leave
- Education and Training Reimbursement, and
- Exempt Reimbursement Program
For a more detailed overview of our Exempt and Administrative Officer benefit package:
Benefit Package
The City of Westminster does not participate in the Social Security system.In lieu of social security contributions, the city contributes to a 401(a) defined contribution plan on your behalf.
401(a) Contribution Rates:Employee Mandatory Contribution: 11% of your base pay. Contributions are pre-tax and fully vested.
Employer Contribution: 11.25%of your base pay.
Employer Contribution Vesting Schedule - Less than 3 years - 0%
- 3 years- 60%
- 4 years - 80%
- 5+ years - 100%
The City of Westminster provides employees with innovative and practical ways to improve their commute through two key features, EcoPass and Commute Benefits powered by Commutrics. EcoPass provides unlimited trips on RTD's core transit services and Commute Rewards allows you to record your trips and get rewards based on your commute mode.
Closing Date/Time: 5/20/2024 8:30 AM Mountain
