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State of Washington Classified Job Specification

TAX SPECIALIST 3 - ES

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TAX SPECIALIST 3 - ES
Class Code: 173L
Category: Financial Services
Salary Range: 48
Abolished Effective: 07-01-2023


Definition

Provides senior-level professional unemployment insurance (UI) tax services, requiring a high level of technical skill and program knowledge, to the Washington State business community, reporting agents, legal representatives, out-of-state businesses, unemployment benefit recipients, and other state and federal agencies. Performs program administration and/or provides direct services for inter-related tax programs (Status, Tax Accounting, Redetermination, Compliance, Audit, Experience Rating/Benefit Charging, Unified Business Identifier).

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the fully skilled level of the series, and incumbents work independently with only general directions.

Typical Work

Determines employer liability within the Employment Security Act; registers liable employers and establishes accounts within Employment Security and Unified Business Identifier programs, rules and regulations; identifies predecessor/successor for proper assignment of tax rates and/or successor liability;

Plans and conducts complete verification, request and IRS request audits of employers' accounting records; reviews and analyzes for conformity with Employment Security Rules and Regulations; may involve use of automated audit program;

In Central Office, reviews Deferred Payment Contracts for conformity with RCW's and policy;

Conducts detailed audit and analysis of employer records; acts on findings pertaining to any of the seven inter-related tax programs;

Researches, gathers data and makes decisions which will produce the annual tax rate assigned to employers;

Conducts complex collection activity and investigations utilizing Employment Security rules and regulations;

Reviews employment contracts and performs fact-finding interviews to determine independent contractor status utilizing Employment Security rules, laws, regulations, policies and procedures;

Researches and investigates appeal issues and prepares appeal memoranda; acts as agency representative and testifies at appeal hearings;

Audits and determines validity of "Affidavit of Earnings" requested for UI benefit payments;

Assists in designing, developing, writing, producing and updating manuals and instruction information;

Provides expert technical assistance to internal and external constituents;

Audits, reviews, and analyzes requests to adjust wages and/or taxes submitted from other units, District Tax Offices, employers and reporting agents to ensure and determine correct billings to the employer;

Investigates, determines validity and/or recommends approval or denial of refunds and request for waiver of penalty and interest;

Audits, reviews, determines and validates appropriate credit for refund;

Reviews and researches Offers-in-Compromise;

Reviews and/or recommends approval or denial of Voluntary Election requests to extend UI coverage for exempt coverage;

Secures bankruptcy information from employers and their attorneys; works within federal bankruptcy laws to determine appropriate collection action;

Assists in training;

Initiates Service Requests or Problem Reports as well as coordinating and collaborating with Information Systems Liaison for issues related to the TAXIS system;

Makes recommendations for Predecessor/Successor corrections and/or tax rate adjustments;

Researches and analyzes errors on the data base and determines correct information for FUTA certifications;

Issues soft warrants as required;

Reviews, analyzes and approves FUTA Certifications;

Conducts audits of unique reimbursable and state agency billing processes;

Prepares and reviews quarterly, annual and biennial financial statements of all state agency accounts for Treasurer;

Investigates, analyzes and responds to state agency billing and benefit charging issues and coordinates resolution with other units as necessary;

As leadworker, assigns, monitors and reviews work of professional staff;

Provides agency representation and education to public when requested;

Researches and reviews legal documents for compliance and conformity to RCW's, WAC's and policies;

Processes and prepares accurate and timely quarterly billings to all state agencies; prepares monthly reconciliation of total receipts with treasurer's total deposits;

Reviews and analyzes requests for Class Code and Payment Method changes for compliance with laws and agency procedures; coordinates and makes adjustments to TAXIS system and issues formal denial if necessary;

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: theory and practice of accounting and auditing; departmental laws and rules relating to Unemployment Compensation; office policies and procedures.

Ability to: provide technical assistance to employers in establishing appropriate account reporting requirements; analyze employer accounts and financial statements and make proper determinations; establish and maintain effective working relationships; write clear and concise correspondence and reports.

Legal Requirement(s)

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Desirable Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree which includes a minimum of 12 semester or 18 quarter hours of college-level accounting and two years of professional accounting or auditing experience.

Additional professional-level accounting or auditing experience will be substituted, year for year, for education except for the 12 semesters or 18 quarter hours of college-level accounting.

OR

One year as a Tax Specialist 2 - ES.

NOTE: Only accounting courses transferable to a Washington State degree granting institution will be acceptable as equivalent college-level accounting.

Class Specification History

New class: 3-13-87.
Revised definition and minimum qualifications: 11-13-87.
Revised definition and minimum qualifications: 10-15-93.
New class code: (formerly 16140) effective July 1, 2007.
Abolished job class adopted June 22, 2023, effective July 1, 2023. See ES Benefits Specialist series.