Tax and Assessment Officer

City of Kenora

External Job Posting

Kenora provides a high quality of life for residents and unforgettable experiences for visitors by celebrating and embracing the community’s rich heritage, diversity, and natural environment.

Job Title:  Tax and Assessment Officer

Location:  Kenora, Ontario

Type:        Full Time | Permanent

Salary:     (PM 07) $71,413 – 83,806 per year

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Please note that we encourage early applications as we may proceed with interviews and make offers to exceptional candidates before the closing date.

Reporting to the Senior Financial Analyst, the Tax and Assessment Officer is responsible for billing and collecting property taxes within the guidelines of by-laws, resolutions, and government legislation. This role involves handling confidential and sensitive data.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Manages the Property Tax process to ensure data integrity, legislative compliance, and policy is adhered to have an efficient customer focused service delivery.

• Coordinate, prepare, and distribute interim, final, and supplementary tax billings.

• Monitor tax payments, notices, manage property tax schedules, administer applications, calculate adjustments and update property owner records accurately and timely in the City’s Financial Information System.
• Provide customer service and tax legislation information via in-person, phone, and email.
• Respond to tax inquiries from the public, legal entities, real estate professionals, staff, and auditors.
• Prepare and sign Tax Certificates and process Tax Sales.

• Perform property tax analysis, including balancing the assessment roll with the tax roll, and supporting the forecasting and budgeting processes through detailed analysis and reporting.
• Manage collections activity including legal tax sales process.

• Conduct monthly interest updates and prepare quarterly financial reports for Council.
• Collaborate with the Senior Financial Analyst for review and transmission of pre-authorized cheque runs.
• Monitor and support ARB appeal processes with necessary documentation.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field.
• Completion of Municipal Tax Administration Program (MTAP), or be willing to obtain within two years of hire.
• Municipal Accounting and Finance Program (MAFP), or a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation would be an asset.
• 1-3 years of relevant experience, preferably in municipal finance and taxation, or equivalent.
• Thorough knowledge of municipal taxation systems and the Ontario Municipal Act; knowledge of additional provincial assessment legislation is beneficial.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, with attention to accuracy and thoroughness, along with strong organizational and administrative skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and outlook, knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics GP Property Tax module is considered an asset.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills, both oral and written, with a focus on confidentiality, tact, and discretion.

Successful candidates will be required to submit a criminal record check and professional references. 

The City of Kenora is an equal opportunity Employer and committed to building a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the community we serve. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals including members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equitable employment, including but not limited to, Indigenous Peoples, members of racialized communities or visible minorities, persons with visible and/or invisible disabilities, diverse sexual and gender identities, orientations and/or expressions, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

The City of Kenora is committed to providing accommodation in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require an accommodation, please advise the Human Resources department in advance to ensure your participation in the recruitment and selection process.

Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and is used to determine eligibility for potential employment.

We thank all candidates for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process.
Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.