Tax Specialist II
Apply NowCompany: Fairfax County, VA
Location: Fairfax, VA 22030
Description:
Salary : $64,190.88 - $106,984.59 Annually
Location : FAIRFAX (EJ32), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 25-00665
Department: Tax Administration
Opening Date: 03/15/2025
Closing Date: 3/28/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S23
Posting Type: Open to General Public
Job Announcement
Incumbents are tasked with routinely conducting 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.
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:
(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:
Frequent walking. 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 () 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. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.
#LI-LD1
Merit Positions
Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:
NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:
For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions
Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year. Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
01
What is the highest level of education that you have completed?
02
Please indicate all major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.
03
If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
04
If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a related degree.
05
How many years of full-time equivalent professional level experience in local business tax assessments or closely related area do you possess?
06
Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?
07
How many years of full-time equivalent experience in business discovery, research and investigation skills and techniques do you possess?
08
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have working for a regulatory or compliance agency in a field position?
09
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have enforcing and explaining business tax or license regulations?
10
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have interpreting state and county codes to determine business classifications and tax assessments?
11
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have in basic financial auditing?
12
Are you proficient in any of the following Microsoft Office Suite applications? Check all that apply.
Required Question
Location : FAIRFAX (EJ32), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 25-00665
Department: Tax Administration
Opening Date: 03/15/2025
Closing Date: 3/28/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S23
Posting Type: Open to General Public
Job Announcement
Incumbents are tasked with routinely conducting 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.
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:
(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:
Frequent walking. 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 () 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. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.
#LI-LD1
Merit Positions
Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:
- Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
- Group Term Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability
- LiveWell Program
- Flexible Spending Programs
- Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
- Paid Holidays
- Contributory Retirement Plan
- Deferred Compensation
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employees' Child Care Center
- Commuter Benefit Program
- Continuous Learning Opportunities
NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:
For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions
- Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
- Flexible Spending Program
- Deferred Compensation
- No benefits
01
What is the highest level of education that you have completed?
- Less than 12th grade
- High school diploma or GED
- Some college
- Associate's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Master's degree
- Doctorate degree
02
Please indicate all major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.
- Business administration
- Finance
- Accounting
- Public administration
- Other (related field)
- Other (non-related field)
- Not applicable
03
If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
04
If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a related degree.
- Less than 45 quarter hours
- 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
- 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
- 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
- 180 or more quarter hours
- Less than 30 semester hours
- 30 to less than 60 semester hours
- 60 to less than 90 semester hours
- 90 to less than 120 semester hours
- 120 or more semester hours
- Not applicable
05
How many years of full-time equivalent professional level experience in local business tax assessments or closely related area do you possess?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five to less than six years
- Six or more years
06
Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?
- Yes
- No
07
How many years of full-time equivalent experience in business discovery, research and investigation skills and techniques do you possess?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five years or more
08
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have working for a regulatory or compliance agency in a field position?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five or more years
09
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have enforcing and explaining business tax or license regulations?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five years or more
10
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have interpreting state and county codes to determine business classifications and tax assessments?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five years or more
11
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have in basic financial auditing?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five years or more
12
Are you proficient in any of the following Microsoft Office Suite applications? Check all that apply.
- Outlook (Composing email messages; sending and receiving email messages; organizing email messages into folders; managing contacts; scheduling appointments & meetings, managing tasks)
- Word (Knowledge of common functions such as creating a title; using, modifying, and creating styles; indenting paragraphs; using tabs and tables; inserting a hard page break; using page numbering; creating headers and footers; inserting graphics; adding comments and tracking changes)
- PowerPoint (Creating a template and working with a design template; working with graphics, animation and multimedia; building interactive presentations using hyperlinks)
- Excel (Basic knowledge of creating a worksheet; performing calculations in a worksheet; modifying and formatting a worksheet; printing workbook contents; creating and modifying pivot tables; using formulas and links to other cells/worksheets)
- None of the above
Required Question