Tax Auditor

Position Description

The Office of City Finance (OCF) OCF is responsible for the financial operations of the City of Seattle. While working closely with the City's Budget Office. OCF oversees the City's financial control functions and enterprise reporting responsibilities and supports the goals set by the Mayor and the City Council by providing financial information and expertise. The Office of City Finance champions race and social justice and works progressively to realize the City's vision of racial equity by participating in the Race and Social Justice Initiative - RSJI, which requires fostering a relational culture and an openness to learn and apply new ideas and skills through an equity lens.

License and Tax Administration (LTA) LTA is a key division of the OCF. This unit administers and collects various tax types, including Business & Occupation, Payroll Expense, Sweetened Beverage, Utility, Gambling Tax, Commercial Parking, Admissions, Firearm/Ammunition, Transportation Network, and Social Housing. All new taxes proposed and passed by the City are developed and implemented through this division. The tax audit unit performs tax audits and investigations, refund reviews, develops and publishes tax rules, answers ruling requests, performs tax training for taxpayers and city personnel, and assists customer service with taxpayer questions. The unit is dedicated to administering the city’s taxes efficiently in support of the city’s services and programs while acting with integrity and fairness in its efforts to ensure all taxpayers engaging in business in the city are registered and pay the correct amount of tax owed.

LTA is seeking to hire two Tax Auditors. The primary responsibility of a Tax Auditor is to conduct tax audits and investigations that are essential to ensuring the City of Seattle's overall tax compliance and revenue generation. The tax audit team carries out tax audits and investigations of businesses and other organizations to verify their compliance with the City of Seattle's Business Tax Laws, as outlined in the Seattle Municipal Code and the Seattle Business Tax Rules.

Job Responsibilities

• Performs complex tax compliance audits of accounting records and financial reports for corporations, individuals, partnerships, nonprofits, and other organizations subject to the City of Seattle's revenue and tax ordinances.
• Conducts opening interviews to understand the organization's business activities, accounting systems, reports, documents, and tax reporting procedures.
• Determines the scope of audit fieldwork, examination procedures, and professional investigative/auditing techniques needed to verify and interpret source documents.
• Evaluates accounting and reporting practices and records, performs calculations, and determines whether correct tax and license fees have been paid.
• Research and determine applicable statutory and case law, code provisions, and tax rules relevant to taxpayers' business activities and tax issues.
• Examines pertinent financial records to collect, manage, prioritize, and compile information needed to determine total gross and taxable income, including identifying unreported income; tests samples and collects audit evidence.
• Communicates and corresponds with taxpayers throughout the audit process; prepares written audit reports that document scope, findings, adjustments, legal authority, and reporting instructions; prepares for and appears at appeal hearings.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years' experience in auditing and a bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field, including at least 24 semester or 36 quarter hours of course work in accounting.
  
  

(Or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class.)

You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

Experience In

• Reviewing accounting records and audit evidence to identify reporting issues, calculate liabilities, verify compliance, and support audit adjustments or assessments.
• Preparing clear and accurate written documentation, including audit narratives, worksheets, schedules, and supporting workpapers.
• Working directly with taxpayers and stakeholders by conducting interviews, requesting records, providing audit updates, and resolving audit questions.
• Performing work in the field and working independently.
• Applying tax laws and rules to a variety of business activities and tax issues, using tax research tools and legal references to support findings and conclusions.
  
  

Skilled In

• Microsoft Outlook, Office 365 included Microsoft Excel, and SharePoint
• Providing quality customer service to colleagues and clients.
  
  

Ability To

• Apply general accounting principles and auditing practices to review financial records, analyze data using computer applications, and document workpapers and audit reports.
• Communicate professionally and clearly—both verbally and in writing—with taxpayers, stakeholders, and internal staff throughout the audit process.
• Research and interpret state and local tax laws, rules, and other guidance to support audit issues and findings.
  
  

Additional Information

PAY

This civil-service position is eligible for overtime and is classified as a Tax Auditor. The full pay range for this step-progression position is $47.54 to $51.45 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $47.54 hourly. Current City employees’ starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees are expected to be in-office three days per week. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor and are subject to change. Collaborative, inclusive team environment. Field work is required for this position.

Application Process

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. You must submit the following items to be considered for this position no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on the scheduled closed date.

• Completed NEOGOV online application.
• Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
• Current resume indicating relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and education.
  
  

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state “see my resume” or “see my personnel file” are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

PLEASE NOTE: This job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Background Check: Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Why work at the City of Seattle? The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

Benefits: The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

Who May Apply: This position is open to all applicants that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The city encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience.