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Tax Specialist II

Fairfax County Government
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Routinely conducts field visits to ensure accurate tax reporting and compliance of business establishments. The discovery requires a detailed survey of complex business establishments to determine the tax liability for Business Professional and Occupational License (BPOL) and Business Personal Property (BPP) taxes. Ensures previously reported gross receipts and business personal property align with industry standards for business size and type. Researches various factors that affect the tax liabilities of businesses and conducts audits of specific business firms by reviewing their state income tax records to verify and enforce the accuracy of the reporting of gross receipts and tangible assets. Independently maintains professional-level survey and statistical tracking to report audits' progress and revenue results. Applies state and county codes and guidelines; communicates and works collaboratively with business representatives to come to a positive resolution; reviews and analyzes personal property assessment procedures to ensure performance improvement within administrative and legislative guidelines; thoroughly reviews BPP and detailed asset lists to ensure accuracy of assessment before bills are produced. Briefs management on contested assessments and provide testimony in court, if required. 

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

  • Conducts field investigations, discovery and audits of business establishments to determine tax liability for business personal property and license liability and/or individuals e.g., type, size, location/tax situs, gross receipts, capital investments, income, assets, and equipment inventories;
  • Performs increasingly complex financial and investigative audits;
  • Ensures compliance with State and County tax laws; Researches various factors that affect tax liabilities of businesses and/or individuals;
  • Participates in the systematic identification, assessment and determination of business personal property tax and licensing liability and/or individual tax liability;
  • Conducts audits of specific business firms and/or individuals to assess accounts as to taxes and/or licensing;
  • Interprets and applies state, county codes and guidelines;
  • Reviews financial records of businesses and/or individuals to verify and enforce the accuracy of reporting of receipts, personal property, income and assets;
  • Negotiates differences with business and/or other representatives and resolves as many as possible by visits or correspondence;
  • Researches and applies appraisal techniques to conform to legislative changes and ensure uniform assessments of personal property and/or assessment of other County taxes;
  • Contacts other agency staff to obtain necessary data;
  • Prepares special studies for management and writes reports;
  • Reviews and analyzes personal property assessment and/or other tax related procedures to ensure performance improvement within administrative and/or legislative guidelines;
  • Briefs management on contested assessments and/or other tax decisions and provides testimony in court, as necessary;
  • Validates personal property and/or other tax assessments to ensure uniformity and equalization of values;
  • Performs occasional collection of delinquent accounts of a complex nature or involving a court action.
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Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

  • Knowledge of methods used in the assessment of Business, Professional, & Occupational License (BPOL), Business Personal Property Taxes, and/or other tax compliance areas;
  • Knowledge of accounting and management principles; Knowledge of relevant State laws and County Ordinances;
  • Ability to perform basic financial auditing skills;
  • Ability to gather, analyze and present data;
  • Ability to maintain effective relationships with the general public, business representatives and public officials;
  • Excellent customer service skills;
  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

 

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a closely related field and two years of related work experience in local business tax assessments or closely related area. 

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid Driver's License

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a credit check, and a driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Four-year college degree preferred in accounting, business administration, finance, or related field. Knowledge of accounting and management principles. Ability to perform basic financial auditing skills. Knowledge of methods used in the assessment and Discovery of Business, Professional, & Occupational License (BPOL) and Business Personal Property Taxes. Experience in interpreting state and county codes to determine business classifications and tax assessments. Practical experience in using Microsoft Office application. Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to walk, negotiate or traverse property sites that may be undergoing construction or having terrain that is not level. Ability to lift up to 15 pounds. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel Interview and may include a practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  
 
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.