Tax Specialist

Job Title: Tax Specialist

Salary range: $28.54 to $30.71 per hour DOE/Q plus Benefits

Location: Sitka

Department: Finance

Hours: Full-Time Benefited

Start date: Negotiable

Job Description:

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF JOB

The primary purpose of this position is to interpret sales, bed,  and marijuana tax codes to provide verbal and written responses to questions from the general public pertaining to the sales, bed, and marijuana tax requirements.  This position is also responsible to enter and ensure accuracy of all the sales, bed, and marijuana tax returns.

Under the general supervision of the Accounting Supervisor-Tax, the Tax Specialist exercises independent judgment and discretion as a professional with technical expertise to perform the position’s daily tasks and responsibilities withing the department established policies and procedures.

The Tax Specialist assists and acts in a confidential capacity to the Finance Director, Municipal Administrator, Assembly, and other department heads who formulate, determine, or effectuate management policies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Maintains and ensures integrity and confidentiality of tax records for sales, bed, and marijuana businesses
  • Investigates reports of businesses not on tax rolls or accounts in non-compliance with ordinances
  • Ensure accurate entry of sales, bed, and marijuana tax data into both the tax subsidiary ledger and into the general ledger;
  • Generates correspondence to account owners regarding reviews and audits performed
  • Advises the general public as to the scope and applicability of municipal tax code
  • Prepares reports and account summaries as needed
  • Performs tax account analysis as required
  • Drafts proposed interpretative guidance memorandums
  • Recommends to supervisor and department head improvements in processes to address potential work problems and to improve efficiency and effectiveness
  • Maintains current knowledge of the principles, practices, and new developments in municipal taxes
  • Provides backup for customer service personnel for the Utility Customer Service desk
  • Performs other duties as assigned 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

 Knowledge of:

  • Accrual accounting concepts, the accounting cycle concept, and the interrelationship between the general ledger and subsidiary ledgers
  • Financial office procedures, practices, and internal controls

Skills:

  • Operating a personal computer using standard software, such as Word, Excel, and Outlook, and customized financial, accounting, and auditing software
  • Organizing, maintaining, and managing a wide variety of records and files, including financial and legal records, both in paper and electronic form
  • Prioritizing work while focusing on multiple tasks that required meticulous attention to detail

Ability to:

  • Recognize and maintain confidential information
  • Read, interpret, and explain federal, state, and local laws regarding sales, bed, marijuana tax policies and procedure
  • Produce high quality work that has been self-reviewed for accuracy
  • Work independently based on general instruction and in compliance with policies and procedures
  • Communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language
  • Understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions
  • Prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations
  • Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions
  • Perform a wide variety of duties with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
  • Quickly learn and put to use newly acquired skills and knowledge

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Associate Degree in accounting, business, or related field, Bachelor Degree preferred; and
  • One year of experience in taxation, accounting, bookkeeping, or banking; or
  • Any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Working Conditions:

  • General office setting

Specific Physical Requirements:

  • Operating office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination using a computer and keyboard on a daily basis
  • Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time either in front of computer
  • Occasional bending, climbing, stooping, reaching, and twisting 
  • Occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull objects up 50 pounds with or without the assistance of proper equipment

General Physical Requirements:

  • Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities which permits the employee to communicate well with other employees and the general public
  • Sufficient vision or other powers of observation which permits the employee to use a computer screen and process numeric data
  • Sufficient manual dexterity which permits the employee to operate a computer keyboard and access files 
  • Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes which permits the employee to move about in an office environment

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