Under general direction, plans, manages, and coordinates the property tax function within the Auditor/Controller’s office, performs a variety of technical accounting work in the processing, maintenance, and review of property taxes and trust fund accounts; provides professional assistance to County management in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the Auditor-Controller. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. May provide technical and functional direction to lower level staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This single classification is responsible for applying specialized knowledge of accounting systems, program rules and regulations, and state/federal reporting requirements, along with fundamental knowledge of accounting principles to facilitate fiscal control of subsidiary ledger/trust fund accounts and solve operational problems for a property tax program including apportionments, preparation of the tax roll, reports to the state of California, revenue analysis, trust fund accounting, and others as required. The incumbent exercises a high level of discretion and independent judgment in performing the full range of routine and complex accounting and record-keeping programs. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of governmental accounting practices and procedures, fund accounting, and fiscal management. This class is distinguished from the Accountant in that the latter has responsibility for all financial and accounting functions involving general ledger accounts.
(Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Provides responsible professional and technical analysis in the preparation of the tax rolls, including calculating schedules, setting factors, bond schedules and payments, annexations and subdivisions, board order changes, and prorating property ownership changes.
• Performs specialized technical review and control of accounting records and accounts.
• Reviews and verifies source documents to ensure proper coding and classifications, accurate accounting treatment, and compliance with provisions of contracts/program/legal requirements.
• Prepares standardized financial/statistical reports to County, State, or Federal agencies.
• Researches and resolves a variety of difficult account problems through the review of records, interpretation of program rules and regulations, projection of the impact of potential actions and decision, and the coordination with multiple stakeholders.
• Interprets a wide variety of complex policies, procedures, regulations, contracts, and agreements to determine their provisions and regularly applies them to unusual or difficult situations.
• Develops and updates system codes, rate schedules, apportionment formulas, and accounting protocols to comply with regulations and policies.
• Assists in the research and compilation of information needed to develop budgets, set rates, or allocate costs.
• Receives and responds to inquiries and requests for assistance from other County departments and external agencies regarding property tax assessment.
• Participates in operating an automated office and computerized financial and information system; identifies, develops, and implements new automated applications as needed to facilitate effectiveness and efficiency.
• Prepares a variety of financial and statistical reports including year-end reporting, budgetary, legal documents, and management analysis.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions, and reviews publications to remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in accounting specialty.
• Performs routine administrative duties as necessary, including but not limited to conducting and attending meetings, reviewing and analyzing reports, compiling data for reports, preparing reports and correspondence, entering data into the computer and creating/maintaining spreadsheets, processing mail, copying and filing documents, etc.
• Evaluates operational policies and procedures and makes recommendations for modifications or changes as needed to maximize accuracy, effectiveness, and efficiency.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:
Accountant I

• Modern principles, practices, and methods of public and governmental accounting and financing, including program budgeting and auditing.
• General principles and practices of data processing and its applicability to accounting and government operations.
• Applicable Federal, State, County, Department, and Division laws, regulations, codes, policies, and procedures.
• Basic principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Principles and practices of business organization and public administration.
• Principles and procedures of financial record keeping.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to accounting applications, including word processing and spreadsheet software.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.

Ability to:

• Analyze financial data and draw sound conclusions.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Analyze situations accurately and develop effective course of action.
• Understand and carry out a variety of complex instructions in a responsible and independent manner.
• Prepare clear, complete, and concise financial statements and reports.
• Make accurate arithmetic, financial and statistical computations.
• Establish and maintain a variety of files and records.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting or a closely related field and three years of experience in governmental or professional accounting.

Licenses and Certifications:

• None.