Property Tax Analyst - Canada - Quinte West

Description

Property Tax Analyst - (CLOSES- April 22, 2024)

7 Creswell Dr, Trenton, ON K8V 6S7, Canada

Job Description

The City of Quinte West is situated on the shores of the beautiful Bay of Quinte.We are located directly along the Highway 401 corridor approximately 1.5 hours east of Toronto and 2.5 hours west of Ottawa. Over 46,560 people make Quinte West home.Quinte West's natural setting, with its attractive scenic backdrop of rolling hills, rich farmland and clean waterways, creates a healthy environment for working, living, and raising a family. Safe, well-planned neighbourhoods and plenty of recreational activities make Quinte West the ideal place to visit or call "home".

Position:

Property Tax Analyst

Department:

Division:

Taxation

Reports to:

Supervisor of Taxation

This department is responsible for providing administrative support services, as needed, to Council and to all City departments. The Department carries out the statutory duties for the City's Treasurer and is responsible for the taxation and providing financial support service responsibilities for the City and providing advice on fiscal, financial, accounting, purchasing, risk management and asset management matters to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Council on all statutory, operations and custodial matters affecting the finances of the City.

Taxation

This department is responsible for the management and control of billing and collection of property taxes and levies for the City, other agencies and Ministries.

Purpose and Scope:

The Property Tax Analyst, in the absence of the Taxation Supervisor, will be responsible for the statutory duties of the Tax Collector for the City of Quinte West and shall be responsible for the management and control of the Tax Collectors Roll which includes the development and implementation of an effective billing and collection system. The Tax Analyst is also responsible for managing all correspondence and forms concerning assessment and taxes. The position will assist the Taxation Supervisor in developing departmental objectives including those related to the provision of sound financial management of the municipality. Matters of a confidential nature shall be treated with due regard for the best interests of the municipality and its personnel.

This position is a contributing team member responsible for the day to day work and executing operations in line with department approved policies, plans and

programs as well as efficiently meeting service standards in the delivery of municipal services.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The position will jointly develop, monitor and implement the annual tax billing. which includes:

Assessment

• Coordinate the balancing of the original and supplementary taxes and assessment; process amendments caused by the Assessment Review Board, Ontario Municipal Board decisions, applications for cancellation under the Municipal Act and coordinate assessment related matters.
• Preparing forecasts for corporate tax related items such as assessment growth, supplementary tax revenue, Payment-in-Lieu of taxes, assessment appeals and tax write offs
• Coordinate the protection and enhancement of the City's assessment base through research and analysis.
• Calculates the financial impact and assesses the City's exposure with respect to various appeals or potential appeals and evaluates assessment growth;
• Representing the City before various working groups and stakeholder consultations.
• Coordinate the billing, balancing and collection of taxes including Payments in Lieu of Taxes

Collection

• Preparation of applications to Council for the cancellation or reduction of taxes
• Include and approve procedures to be taken by staff on arrears notices, tax rates and court actions
• Maintain and Develop policies and procedure manuals for all aspects of tax collection
• Approve Tax adjustments and journal entries
• Provide municipal approval to process provincial changes (OPTA) and new construction

General

• Prepare the necessary reports for the Director and Council for budget purposes
• Assess and develop computerized reporting and generation of billings and collection
• Maintain the Charity Rebate Program and tax deferrals for low income seniors and disabled program and other tax related programs
• Provide training to Customer Service Representatives
• Maintain confidentiality regarding customer account information while providing information to lawyers and financial institutions upon request
• Receive and respond to written and verbal public inquiries as well as lawyers, banks and mortgage companies.
• Maintain applicable aspects of City website.
• Publish notices as required. Search historical records as required.
• Assist in preparation of City's Financial Information Return (FIR).
• Coordination and support of merchant banking operations.
• Complete various types of analytical type projects.
• Perform internal audit functions as required.
• Assist the Tax Supervisor in the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures.
• Assist the Tax Supervisor with the preparation and maintenance of appropriate databases for use in the department and other City departments.
• Provides verbal and written information and explanation in response to escalated inquiries from customers including taxpayers,, Council, lawyers, realtors, mortgagors, businesses, etc. through various contact channels such as in person, telephone, email.
• Negotiates satisfactory payment arrangements from escalated staff calls with property owners and mortgagors on complex tax arrears properties.
• Conducts revenue and customer service analysis, gathers data and prepares summary information.
• Formulates recommendations for general report content and/or divisional statistical/trend reporting.
• Conducts account analysis for calculations related to assessment appeals.
• Calculates local improvement payouts as required.
• Assist with the upload of Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) assessment information to the municipal tax system including year-end returned roll and supplementary rolls.
• Assist the Tax Supervisor with the reparation and issuing of tax notices and statements following all legislated protocols.
• Provides assistance to the public on complex inquiries, adjustments of refunds on tax accounts including historic research and preparing summary report/correspondence/follow up.
• Reviews tax adjustments and refunds as required.
• Development of municipal tax and assessment policy and/or procedures for submission to senior Staff and Council

The position will provide:

Customer Service

• Recognizing and understanding customers' needs and delivering in a manner that meets customers' reasonable expectations.

Teamwork and Collaboration

• Effectively work and collaborate with others toward a common goal.
• Build and maintain cooperative work relationships with others.
• Complete tasks for group projects in a timely and responsible manner and directly contribute to reaching the group goal.
• Align with the strategic directions and departmental plans.

Planning and Organizing

• Effectively organize and plan work according to organizational needs by defining objectives and anticipating needs and priorities.
• Effectively handle multiple demands and competing deadlines.
• Identify goals, develop plans, estimate time frames and monitor progress.

Delivering Results

• Maintains a high level of commitment to get things done, is dependable and responsible.
• Takes responsibility for achieving outcomes and works effectively with little direction.

Problem Solving

• Solve challenging problems through careful and systematic evaluation of information, possible alternatives and consequences.
• Generate good solutions to difficult problems, considering many sources of information, systematically process and evaluate information against possible courses of action, and carefully deliberate before a final decision is made.

Note: Above duties are representative of a typical position and are not to be construed as all-inclusive.

Contacts:

The position will have direct contact with:

Internal:

The Director of Financial Services/City Treasurer, the Manager of

Financial Services/Deputy Treasurer, Members of Committees,

Directors, Managers, Human Resources, Councillors and other

Municipal Finance staff and all City staff.

External:

Municipal Auditors, Municipal Bankers and Solicitors, MPAC and

the general public, local boards and their senior officers, Federal

and Provincial officials, agencies, consultants, contractors,

solicitors and the general public.

Education/Specialized Training/Skills:

The position will require:

• A minimum of a four (4) year University Degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field, or University Degree preferred.
• Enrolled in or working towards completion of the Municipal Tax Administration Program through the Ontario Municipal Tax and Revenue Association.
• Possess a sound knowledge of all aspects of tax administration and collection including tax sales, assessments, banking and public relations gained through the direct experience in a municipal environment.
• The position requires a strong aptitude for preparation of computerized spreadsheets, word processing and in-depth knowledge of billing software.
• Required to obtain and maintain a satisfactory criminal record check.
• A highly developed sense of professionalism, tact and diplomacy.
• Must demonstrate respect for confidential and sensitive issues.
• Demonstrated telephone and public relations skills.
• Thorough knowledge of current issues facing local government in Ontario and particularly as they relate to the portfolio.
• Knowledge of human resources management, and project management strategies.
• Demonstrated ethical behaviour and business practices.
• Strong computer skills including Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Dayforce (or other similar software programs) email and internet.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong negotiation skills (related to service and labour contracts as applicable).
• Strong and effective analytical, strategic, critical thinking and problem solving abilities.

Nice to Have:

Although not required, the following would be considered an asset to the position:

• Additional courses through Ontario Municipal Tax and Revenue Association (OMTRA) or Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers (AMCTO).
• The ability to communicate in both English and French.
• A valid Class G Driver's Licence and a safe driving record in good standing, satisfactory to the employer.

Work Experience:

• The position requires a minimum of (2) two years of work experience in the collection and billing of property taxes in a municipal environment.
• Progressive experience in municipal or broader public, private or voluntary sector environments.

Decision Making:

Decisions pertain to tax collection, billing and public requests/inquiries Errors or lack of action could have a negative financial and operational effect. The position is responsible for providing timely accurate advice/reports to the Tax Supervisor and to respond to the decisions and directions generated by the same.

Supervision:

This position does play a role in providing leadership, training and guidance to the staff within the division; however, it has no formal supervisory responsibility over these staff, with respect to human resources, disciplinary, or budgetary matters.

• Position works mainly within an office environment
• Occasional requirement for extended hours (evening meetings etc.)

Personal information and any supporting material are collected and administered in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).We thank all applicants who apply but advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.The City of Quinte West is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please contact the Human Resources Department at ext ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process.Applicants will be required to consent to the completion of a criminal reference check and the completion of a driver's abstract, if deemed a requirement of the position.

7 Creswell Dr, Trenton, ON K8V 6S7, Canada