Chief Auditor



JOB CODE: 1420

PAY GRADE: 2260

SALARY RANGE: $52,473 - $88,604

LOCATION OF WORK
Finance Department

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the direction of an Auditing Manager and Assistant Auditing Manager, performs responsible professional supervisory and administrative auditing work in determining liability for municipal taxes or in auditing City-Parish financial records and operations. Work involves planning, directing and supervising the activities of a section of professional and clerical employees engaged in verifying returns of businesses for sales, use, occupational license and other tax purposes, determining the liability of taxpayers, or performing complex audits of all accounts and financial transactions in City-Parish departments and agencies. Work also involves assisting in the formulation of major policy decisions and supervision over auditors through assignment of duties and review of work completed. Work is performed with relative independence in accordance with established policies, rules, regulations, and professional standards and requires the use of discretion and tact, usually under circumstances in which cooperation must be secured through good will rather than legal authority. Work is reviewed through observation, consultation and monthly reports. Performs other work as requested.

ESSENTIAL WORK TASKS
REVENUE AUDITING: Supervises or conducts complex independent audits of journals, ledgers, invoices, bank statements, and other financial documents and records of taxpayers to verify the accuracy of sales, use, gross receipt, occupational license and other returns filed under the municipal tax laws and ordinances. Determines amounts of any additional liability; formulates opinions and recommendations from financial evaluations; prepares written reports of findings. Assists subordinate auditors with scheduling audits of selected taxpayers and, when necessary, trains subordinate auditors, reviews audit reports for compliance, issues final reports, and coordinates out-of-town audit assignments. Assists in the selection of tax audits and coordinates audit selection research if requested; assists with the assignment of audits to subordinate auditors engaged in audits of City-Parish taxpayers. Represents the City-Parish at sales tax administrative hearings; represents the City-Parish when subpoenaed to appear in court or before authoritative boards. Conducts or supervises the performance of special projects; prepares special financial and statistical reports. INTERNAL AUDITING: Supervises or conducts complex audits of financial and operational records, data, and programs to determine the effectiveness of internal controls, efficiency and effectiveness of systems, and the level of compliance with applicable statutes, rules, procedures, policies, and regulations. Examines all contracts, purchase orders, and other documents which may involve obligations of the municipal government; monitors financial operations of City-Parish departments and agencies. Monitors federal and state grants to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. Assists external auditors in audits of City-Parish government; provides assistance to City-Parish departments and agencies in establishing financial, system and operational controls. Determines audit strategies, programs, and procedures for specific audit assignments. Writes and edits professional audit reports detailing audit procedures, findings and conclusions. Reviews audit results with audited party and explains the findings and basis for exceptions. Assists with the assignment of audits to subordinate auditors engaged in internal audits. Conducts or supervises the performance of special projects; prepares special financial and statistical reports.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
REVENUE AUDITING: Knowledge of auditing procedures and accounting principles as applied to commercial accounts and auditing for tax purposes. Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, equipment and standard clerical techniques as applied to tax accounting systems. Knowledge of the principles and theory of sales, use and occupational license taxes. Knowledge of tax laws, regulations, procedures and the processes by which they are enforced and delinquent taxes collected. Skill in the operation and care of calculators, computers, and other office machines used in connection with auditing work. Ability to perform independent audits of a standard set of commercial accounts under circumstances requiring the utmost discretion and tact. Ability to prepare complete and accurate audit reports, thoroughly review audits, perform detailed work involving written or numeric data, and make arithmetic calculations rapidly and accurately. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, City-Parish employees, and officials, and to exercise initiative and judgment in difficult situations. Ability to make decisions, recognizing precedents and practices, and to use resourcefulness and tact in meeting problems. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. Ability to use a computer for word processing and spreadsheet applications. Ability to lift and carry a laptop and accessories to and from the work site. Ability to make assignments and effectively supervise subordinate employees. Ability to apply good work habits such as punctuality, reliability, preciseness, and dependability in order to effectively complete assigned tasks and contribute to the smooth operation of the department and division. INTERNAL AUDITING: Knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards and accounting principles as applied to governmental accounting. Knowledge of all ordinances and resolutions relating to the operation of the municipal accounting system. Skill in the operation and care of calculators, computers, and other office machines used in connection with auditing work. Ability to perform independent audits of a standard set of commercial accounts under circumstances requiring the utmost discretion and tact. Ability to prepare complete and accurate audit reports, to perform detailed work involving written or numeric data, and to make arithmetic calculations rapidly and accurately. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, City-Parish employees, and officials, and to exercise initiative and judgment in difficult situations. Ability to make decisions, recognizing precedents and practices and to use resourcefulness and tact in meeting problems. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. Ability to use a computer for word processing and spreadsheet applications. Ability to lift and carry a laptop and accessories to and from the work site. Ability to make assignments and effectively supervise subordinate employees. Ability to apply good work habits such as punctuality, reliability, preciseness, and dependability in order to effectively complete assigned tasks and contribute to the smooth operation of the department and division.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree with at least twenty-four semester (thirty-six quarter) hours of a university professional accounting curriculum or Master's degree with at least twenty-one semester (thirty-one and a half quarter) hours of a university professional accounting curriculum, and four years of professional level experience in auditing (accounting, budgeting, revenue collection, etc.).

SUBSTITUTIONS
Equivalent higher education in accounting may substitute for work experience; CPA may substitute for one year of work experience.

CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES / REGISTRATIONS
(Unless otherwise specified below, must possess at the time of appointment and must be maintained current throughout employment in this classification.) Must have a valid Louisiana driver's license at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment in this classification.

OTHER JOB ASPECTS
Availability of, and ability to drive a private motor vehicle during working hours. Must be able to perform out-of-town work for a one week period (Internal Auditing) or consecutive two-week periods (Revenue Auditing) when requested by supervisors.


NOTE:
The work examples described in this specification are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from job performance requirements if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the job.