Financial Specialist II

Please apply on Yakima County Website at: https://yakimacounty.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/YakimaCountyWA/job/Yakima-County-Courthouse/Financial-Specialist-II_R2536

Salary Range: $21.49-$27.25 per hour (Step 1-13 B22 AFSCME Pay Plan)
Hiring Range: $21.49-$22.81 per hour (Step 1-4 B22 AFSCME Pay Plan)

Closing Date: March 10, 2025

The Yakima County Treasurers Office has one opening for an Financial Specialist II. This position is responsible for auditing and calculating tax record adjustments, segregations, advance and current use taxes. Analyzes and monitors bankruptcy cases and processes Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavits for property transfers in accordance with State RCW and WAC requirements. Audits affidavits/documents for accuracy prior to creating charges and receipting fees in the system.

A Word and Excel exercise will be administered at time of Interview.

Benefits included in position:
Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
Retirement Benefits
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Paid Sick Leave

This is a AFSCME 87-Master Contract Bargaining Unit position

Receives, audits and verifies the accuracy of tax record adjustments as provided from various governmental agencies and the Department of Assessments for prior and/or current tax years.

Recalculates taxes based on tax record adjustment documentation provided by the Department of Assessment and other governmental agencies, including audit functions of manual verification as required. Performs in-depth research on tax record adjustments that generate a refund. Prepares and mails Petition for Property Tax Refund to payer of tax for signature and address verification.

Receives signed Petitions for property tax refunds from the payer of tax. Verifies that the appropriate person signed the Petition; calculates new tax charges; reconciles and balances the amount that will be refunded. Prepares refund documentation packet for Treasurer’s review and signature. Prepares request to remove or reapply any interest, penalty, or cost charges. Calculates statutory interest based on date of payment. Prepares files that document applicable tax record adjustments for audit review and future research.

Maintains unclaimed property tax refund file. Processes tax record adjustments that have not been claimed, calculates the amount to be transferred to the unclaimed property account.

Audits, verifies and compiles monthly unclaimed property tax refund report. Balances control account monthly for unclaimed property tax refunds to the general ledger.

Receives and reviews payment in error requests. Researches and documents requests; applies corrective procedures to resolve situation when applicable. Corresponds with parties involved regarding final determination of payment in error.

Receives and reviews bankruptcy notices, payment plans and reports pertaining to property ownership. Downloads detailed bankruptcy information from the US Bankruptcy Court web site regularly. Reviews all documents to ensure our tax claim remains in a secured status at the full value. Prepares objections to reclassification of our claim or value. Completes and mails bankruptcy Proofs of Claim based on property tax amounts owed at the time of bankruptcy filing. Calculates advance taxes if necessary and files the appropriate documents. Receives and prepares bankruptcy payments for application. Balances payment(s) to data provided to accounting division to ensure accurate application of payments(s) to parcel accounts.

Receives and reviews monthly segregations reports. Researches payments made by each party involved in the original parent parcel and calculates the remaining taxes owing. Corresponds with taxpayer/owner regarding outstanding taxes as needed.

Tests for completeness and functionality of the Bankruptcy and Tax Record Adjustment modules of the Ascend system whenever fixes, upgrades for new releases occur. Processes through daily activities that are done on the Ascend system including recalculating taxes, creating refunds, flagging bankruptcy parcels, creating nuisance abatement charges, advance tax and current use/supplemental taxes. Completes issue paper when necessary.

Provides customer service over phone and in person regarding questions concerning tax information and research of payments and/or charges.

Receives, audits and verifies the accuracy of Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavits submitted in person, before processing through computerized system. Audits for accuracy all legal documents prior to transfer being completed, including comparing the legal description on the Affidavit to that which is in the computer system. Audits and enters the information from the Affidavit for grantor, grantee and address of whom all correspondence regarding property taxes will be carried on the tax rolls.

Enters information from excise affidavit to create tax charges in computerized system. Collects excise tax payment from customer. Ascertains appropriate tender whether check, money order or cash. Calculates appropriate change. Prepares Real Estate Excise Tax Transactions for Cashier for deposit of excise funds. Balances each document prior to submitting to cashier. Completes General Deposit to cashier for payments other than excise.

Performs other Tax Division duties as required. Must be cross-trained in multiple positions based on internal controls.

Education and Experience:

High School Diploma or G.E.D. plus (4) four years of general accounting support or related experience including six months in area of specialty; or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Required:

• Microsoft Word and Excel education/training is required.
• Successful completion of a criminal history and financial background check and general employment verification.

Preferred:

• One year specialized experience in providing real estate or collection preferred.

Knowledge:

• Basic accounting theories and principals;
• Basic financial recordkeeping methods;
• Basic mathematics;
• Customer service techniques;
• Office practices;
• Phone etiquette;
• Personal computer and software programs;
• Time management principles;
• General knowledge of property tax and bankruptcy principals;
• Rules of grammar, spelling and punctuation used in professional correspondence and reports; and
• Methods of safeguarding public assets, addressing Internal Control issues, and segregation of duties.
• Additional Knowledge of real estate documents, bankruptcy documents and legal description is beneficial. This position extensively reviews a multiple variety of tax record adjustments and related documents prior to determining tax recalculations, refund amounts or generating new tax statements. In addition, thoroughly examines each Affidavit submitted prior to any property transfer being recorded. In performing these requirements, strict adherence to state statutes and the administrative code must be followed.

Skills and Abilities):

• Preparing and processing documents related to assignment or function;
• Reviewing and verifying accounting information;
• Paying attention to detail and accuracy;
• Performing a variety of technical calculations for auditing and refunds;
• Using office equipment such as phones, copiers, calculators, microfilm machine and fax machines;
• Using a personal computer and related software applications;
• Establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships with Title Company
• employees, Attorneys, County employees and with the public;
• Communication, both oral and written, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give or receive work direction.

Working Conditions:

Bending, carrying, handling, lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching, sitting, standing, crouching, kneeling, hearing, talking, fingering, visual acuity, ability to multitask, confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, ability to follow written instruction, ability to follow verbal instruction, periodically must deal with irate taxpayers, discern as when security should be notified, stooping, mobility, grasping, seeing and repetitive motions. Other: Stooping, mobility, grasping, seeing, repetitive motions 210: Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.58 - $28.63 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• general accounting: 4 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $21 - $27