Senior Accountant/Chief Deputy Tax Collector

Salary : $75,323.66 - $96,275.04 Annually
Location : 66 SE D Street, Madras Oregon, OR
Job Type: Full Time FTE with Benefits
Job Number: 2026_GE97
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 10/14/2026

Summary
The Senior Accountant/Chief Deputy Tax Collector performs a complete range of professional accounting and financial analytic activities in connection with accounting for Governmental and Proprietary funds. This position is responsible for overseeing accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, monthly journal entries and reconciliations, and any other operational fiscal affairs as needed in the Finance/Tax Department.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This position works under the direct supervision of the Finance Director/Custodial Officer/Treasurer (if the Finance Director is the County Treasurer)/Tax Collector. The Senior Accountant represents a level of para-professional accounting skills. Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, methods & practices. A strong background in fund accounting as prescribed for governmental units is preferred. This position exercises independent and highly technical thought, and analysis in financial management to produce reports, statements and analysis.
Essential Duties

• Greets public and other staff in a courteous and professional manner in person, telephone, email.
• Reviews transactions for accuracy, proper account coding or classification, and allocation.
• Reconciles fixed assets, expenditures, cash, accounts payable, payroll and accounts receivable.
• Maintains County Insurance Property, Auto, and Equipment schedules throughout the fiscal year.
• Assists Finance Director in annual and supplemental county-wide budget preparation.
• Reconciles cash balances, tracks errors through accounting system and recommends appropriate correcting entries. Maintains master records of all manual journal entries.
• Reviews and provides preliminary approval of all tax adjustments and refunds. Analyzes and corrects complex errors in tax accounts and reconciles Tax Office financial activity.
• Assists with the management of the taxation computer system as it relates to tax statements, tax collection, and tax distribution.
• Proposes, communicates, and drafts policies and procedures to optimize customer service and financial proficiency as it relates to Tax Collection, Custodial Officer, Treasurer, and General Ledger Management (i.e. Standard Operating Procedures).
• Reviews compliance with laws related to tax accounts in bankruptcy, real property tax foreclosure, and personal property garnishments and seizures.
• Oversees monthly reconciliation for the County's bank accounts and reviews monthly Financial Investment report for compliance with County Investment Policy.
• Ensures segregation of duties is in place for cash handling, reconciling investments, and deposits.
• Prepares and distributes various monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
• Prepares audit reports and work papers as designated by the Finance Director.
• Develops and coordinates the completion of the Annual Grantee Performance Report (if applicable), Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA), and other contract/grant documentation as needed.
• Maintains and processes payroll accounting records including resolving errors, balancing accounts, and preparing records.
• Reconciles, analyzes, and interprets standard payroll and accounting data and records.
• Prepares and proposes training for various County Departments on County Policy and Procedures.
• This position serves as a backup to the Staff Accountants and Finance Director when needed to maintain essential fiscal functions when staffing resources are limited.
• This position serves as a chief deputy tax collector under the delegation of the appointed Tax Collector.
• This position serves as chief deputy treasurer under the delegation of the elected Treasurer if the Finance Director is the County Treasurer.
• Files, indexes, organizes, and maintains records per State of Oregon archiving rules.
• Provides support to other departments when needed and assigned.
• Attends meetings, trainings, and conferences pertaining to assigned duties.
• Handle and process various forms of payment, including cash, checks, credit/debit cards, and electronic transactions, in accordance with established financial procedures.
• Adheres to internal controls and cash handling policies to minimize risk and ensure compliance with Finance and audit standards.
• Must complete cashier/financial transaction training (as approved by the Finance Director) upon hire. Periodic refresher training may be required to maintain compliance with financial policies, procedures, and align with current best practices.
• Regular attendance is an essential function of the position.
• Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position and department.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Skills
Specialized professional knowledge of the principles of financial accounting, cost-benefit analysis, and financial management of projects and programs. Requires technical knowledge of general payroll laws, regulations, procedures, practices and fair employment practices and laws. Requires basic knowledge of common employee benefits plan provisions such as group insurance, paid time off, retirement and capital accumulation plans. Requires demonstrated skills at accessing relational databases, verifying numerical and demographic information, and entering information onto established data entry screens. Requires a considerable knowledge of office procedures, practices, and equipment. Skill in various PC based programs.

Abilities
The ability to effectively communicate with public, employees and administrators in a professional, open, and friendly manner. Must be able to perform account and variance analysis, prepare account adjustments, and complete financial statements and custom reports using PC-based financial software and spreadsheets. Ability to coordinate and prioritize numerous complicated assignments often time with strict deadlines while dealing with interruptions from the public. Ability to perform detailed work involving both numerical data and legal descriptions. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions. Must be able to meet various deadlines, sometimes under stressful circumstances.

Physical Abilities
The ability to sit at a computer screen using rapid arm, hand, and finger movement for extended periods of time. The ability to stand, stoop, bend, kneel or crawl when required. The ability to lift, push or pull up to 30 lbs occasionally. Ability to engage in conversations over the phone and in-person.
Education and Experience
A Bachelor's Degree in Business with an emphasis in accounting from an accredited four-year college or university and three (3) years' experience in a progressively responsible financial and managerial accounting capacity; or equivalent experience in a related field. May alternatively possess an associate's degree as listed above and have five (5) years of experience; or eight (8) years of an equivalent combination of related education, training and experience to perform the aspects of the job.

Working Conditions
Work is performed indoors and outdoors where some safety considerations exist from physical labor and handling of light-to-medium weight, yet awkward materials.

Probationary Period
This position is based on the successful completion of a nine-month probationary period.

• Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical, with Vision and Dental coverage - low-deductible plan with low premium for employee + family
  • Deductible: $200 single / $600 family
  • Employee monthly premium (Single, Married, or Family coverage) $149.08 (July 2026 - July 2027 rates)
• VEBA HRA Account - $1,000 annual employer contribution
• Vacation Leave - option to front-load 6 months of vacation leave on start date
  Length of ServiceHours per MonthDays per Year (based on 8 hr/day)
  First 2 Years (0-24 Months)9.3414.02 Years (25-48 Months)11.016.54 Years (49-72 Months)12.6719.06 Years (73-96 Months)14.3421.58 years (97-120 Months)16.024.010 Years (121-144 Months)16.6725.012+ Years (145+ Months)17.3426.0
• Sick Leave - 8 hours per month (option to front-load 6 months of vacation leave on start date)
• 11 Paid Holidays, plus Christmas Eve Day holiday when Dec 24th falls on Monday-Thursday
• Oregon PERS Retirement (employer/employee participation varies)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 457(b) Deferred Comp Plans Available
• Supplemental Insurance Plans (Life, Short Term Disability, Accident, Cancer, Critical Illness, Dental, Hospital, and Vision)
• Flexible Spending Plans (FSA) - healthcare and dependent care
• Discounted Air Ambulance membership available
• Life Insurance, up to $40,000 employer paid: $20,000 if enrolled in LIUNA health plan. An additional $20,000 policy from Mutual of Omaha for the 2026 calendar year; continuation of this policy is an annual decision by the Board of County Commissioners.