Sr Manager, Sales Tax Audit (Finance)

POSITION TITLE: Sr Manager, Sales Tax Audit (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #: req7981
DEPARTMENT: Sales Tax
LOCATION: 215 OFFICE BLDG
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) View Classifications & Benefits
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $93,564.00 - 155,940.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $105,000.00 - 130,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 3/5/2025.

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer background check required.

Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?

• Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, children) - eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire
• Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires
• Retirement + company contributions - after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting
• Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both
• Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
• Wellness program, workout facilities
• Employee/family onsite health clinic
• Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility
• Collaborative work environment

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

Job Summary

The City of Fort Collins is seeking a Senior Manager, Sales Tax Audit to join our Financial Services department. This is a full-time salaried position with an anticipated hiring salary range of $105,000-130,000 a year! The Senior Manager is responsible for overseeing the City of Fort Collins' tax audit program, focusing on sales, use, and lodging taxes. This position involves managing a team of Sales Tax Auditors, including hiring, training, and supervising staff, as well as developing and implementing audit strategies and work plans. The Senior Manager ensures compliance with the City's tax code by conducting audits of businesses, analyzing financial records, and preparing detailed audit reports. The role also includes evaluating and improving audit practices, managing third-party vendor relationships, and acting as a subject matter expert on tax compliance. Strong leadership, critical thinking, and expertise in municipal tax are essential to drive the success of the audit team and maintain efficient and effective tax operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

Audit Team Management:

• Hire, train, and supervise Sales Tax Auditors in conducting sales, use, and lodging tax audits.
• Develop, oversee, and implement audit strategies, work plans, and performance metrics for a diverse and comprehensive audit program.
• Assign, distribute, and prioritize audit work, ensuring alignment with departmental goals.
• Manage relationships with third-party vendors to support sales tax operations.

Auditing and Compliance:

• Conduct audits of businesses in the City of Fort Collins to verify compliance with City Code for sales, use, and lodging taxes.
• Analyze accounting records, determine taxes, interest, and penalties owed, and prepare detailed audit reports.
• Review audit findings with business owners or representatives, explaining procedures and relevant City Code.
• Collaborate with the audit team to identify and pursue audit leads effectively.

Policy and Representation:

• Coordinate with the City Attorney's Office on tax-related issues and represent the City in audits, hearings, and appeal proceedings.
• Assist in reviewing, drafting, and revising City Code, regulations, and tax compliance forms.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on the City's audit program and provide insights into trends or special analyses of tax revenues.

Process Improvement:

• Evaluate audit practices and procedures, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and streamline compliance activities.
• Work with senior management and staff to refine and publish taxpayer compliance documents.

Management Responsibilities

Yes

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of accounting and auditing procedures, including advanced mathematical skills.
• Comprehensive understanding of Colorado's home rule tax system and municipal revenue laws.
• Ability to interpret and comply with complex laws, ordinances, and regulations, including Chapters 25 and 15 of the City Code.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills for interpreting financial records and applying statistical extrapolations.
• Proficiency in summarizing complex financial and tax issues with clear written and verbal communication.
• Expertise in conducting tax audits and implementing best practices for compliance and enforcement programs.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of sales/use tax information.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, train, and mentor high-performing teams.
• Experience managing multiple projects and resolving conflicts effectively.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, database systems, accounting software, and geographic information systems.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships, even in challenging situations.
• Proven ability to resolve conflicts and communicate complex issues to diverse stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel out-of-state for audits and adapt to evolving priorities.

Required Qualifications

MinimumPreferredCollege degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees. Bachelor's degree in a business related field (e.g. Finance, Accounting, Economics, etc.) from an accredited four (4)-year college or universityAssociates / Bachelor's degree or other specialized skill training / certification may be required in some positions Master's degree in Finance or related field

Experience Requirements

• At least five (5) years progressively responsible experience in performing and supervising tax and financial audits. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered. Experience in accounting or auditing in a government setting preferred. Experience in sales and use tax auditing at a state or local level preferred.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training

• CPA preferred.

The content in this posting was created for recruitment purposes. To view the full job description click the link below.

Sr Manager, Sales Tax Audit

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use:
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender identity and expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, genetic information, and, in certain specific circumstances, marriage to a coworker or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.Job Summary

The City of Fort Collins is seeking a Senior Manager, Sales Tax Audit to join our Financial Services department. This is a full-time salaried position with an anticipated hiring salary range of $105,000-130,000 a year! The Senior Manager is responsible for overseeing the City of Fort Collins' tax audit program, focusing on sales, use, and lodging taxes. This position involves managing a team of Sales Tax Auditors, including hiring, training, and supervising staff, as well as developing and implementing audit strategies and work plans. The Senior Manager ensures compliance with the City's tax code by conducting audits of businesses, analyzing financial records, and preparing detailed audit reports. The role also includes evaluating and improving audit practices, managing third-party vendor relationships, and acting as a subject matter expert on tax compliance. Strong leadership, critical thinking, and expertise in municipal tax are essential to drive the success of the audit team and maintain efficient and effective tax operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

Audit Team Management:Hire, train, and supervise Sales Tax Auditors in conducting sales, use, and lodging tax audits.Develop, oversee, and implement audit strategies, work plans, and performance metrics for a diverse and comprehensive audit program.Assign, distribute, and prioritize audit work, ensuring alignment with departmental goals.Manage relationships with third-party vendors to support sales tax operations.

Auditing and Compliance:Conduct audits of businesses in the City of Fort Collins to verify compliance with City Code for sales, use, and lodging taxes.Analyze accounting records, determine taxes, interest, and penalties owed, and prepare detailed audit reports.Review audit findings with business owners or representatives, explaining procedures and relevant City Code.Collaborate with the audit team to identify and pursue audit leads effectively.

Policy and Representation:Coordinate with the City Attorney's Office on tax-related issues and represent the City in audits, hearings, and appeal proceedings.Assist in reviewing, drafting, and revising City Code, regulations, and tax compliance forms.Serve as a subject matter expert on the City's audit program and provide insights into trends or special analyses of tax revenues.

Process Improvement:Evaluate audit practices and procedures, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and streamline compliance activities.Work with senior management and staff to refine and publish taxpayer compliance documents.

Management Responsibilities

Yes