Item 9.A-September 12, 2014
ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY POSITION DESCRIPTION QUESTIONNAIRE
To expedite and facilitate the PDQ review process, please send the PDQ and Org Chart electronically to marshag@unr.edu for discussion and for initial review before routing PDQ for approval signatures.
Questions - call UNR Faculty HR at 682-6114
INSTRUCTIONS: See http://www.unr.edu/hr/compensation-and-evaluation for complete instructions.
Position #(s): 16394 Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable):
Current Title: Specialist, Tax and Accounting
(JCC:67505)
Department: Controller’s Office
Account #(s): 1201-104-0104
Current Range: 2
College/Division: Business and Finance /
Vice President, Administration & Finance
Action Proposed: ( check all that apply )
( ) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title:
( ) Proposed Reassignment from Range to Range
(X ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title)
( ) Line of Progression (show titles below)
Range:
JCC (Current or new HR assigned):
I certify that the statements in this description are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
____________________________________________________________
Employee’s Signature
__________________
Date
I/we have reviewed the statements in this form and they accurately reflect the job assignments.
_________________________________________________________________ _________________
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature Date
_________________________________________________________________ __________________
Director/Chair/Dean Sheri Mendez Date
Controller/Interim AVP, Bus & Fin.
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Ron Zurek
__________________
Vice President, Administration & Finance
Date
Action Approved by the Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
Pos #(s): 16394 JCC: 67505 Range:
Approved Title: Specialist, Tax and Accounting
2 EEO:
Employee signs on “final” stamped approved PDQ and sends to HR for personnel file.
Employee Signature:_______________________________________________ __________________
Printed Name: ____________________________________________________
Date
Rev: 10/1/2012

Position Description - Specialist, Tax and Accounting Page 2
1. Summary Statement: State the major function(s) of the position and its role in the university. Attach an organizational chart with positions, ranges, and names for the division which reflects the position in it as well as those supervised in the department. (This section is
used for advertisement of the position.)
The Specialist, Tax and Accounting, is responsible for fiscal management of tax compliance, including the non-resident alien tax (NRAT) compliance program, independent service provider contracts and claims, tax research and compliance with federal, state, Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), and University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) policies and internal controls. The position reports to the
Controller.
2. List the major responsibilities, including percentage of time devoted to each. Provide enough detail to enable a person outside the department to understand the job (percentage
first with heading and then bulleted information).
35% - Non-Resident Alien Payment Program Management

Audit and analyze information received from campus departments and the various mainframe systems

Compute and make final determination of compliance with federal tax and immigration regulations

Review and coordinate campus responses to the Board of Regents for NSHE internal audits
35% - Contract and Claims Review and Approval

Perform contract review and approvals for independent service providers

Audit claims for compliance with laws, policies and procedures
15% - Training and Support

Provide support, assistance and training to the university community and communicate policies to the campus users to aid in compliance with federal, state and UNR requirements for payments to non-resident aliens

Update forms, web pages, policies and procedures regarding payments to independent service providers and non-resident alien taxation
10% - Financial and Accounting Reconciliation and Reporting
 Administer NSHE’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Certifying Acceptance Agent Agreement
Program

Prepare and submit 1042 and 1042-S, 1099, and 990 reports to the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) on behalf of NSHE

Respond to IRS notices and correspondence

Reconcile balance sheet account for withholding liabilities
5% - Policy and Law Interpretation

Research, analyze and interpret court cases, IRS pronouncements, the Internal Revenue
Code (IRC), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and legal precedence pertaining to laws and regulations as applied to tax issues at UNR in order to make tax determinations for payments to non-resident employees, students and visiting scholars; to oversee compliance issues relative to these payments; and to support tax positions taken by
UNR in order to identify, quantify and report tax liabilities for UNR

Draft memorandums or other correspondence that supports tax positions taken by UNR

Analyze information received from schools and administrative offices on issues to maintain compliance

Position Description - Specialist, Tax and Accounting Page 3
3. Describe the level of freedom to take action and make decisions with or without supervision and how the results of the work performed impact the department, division and/or
the university as a whole.
Level of Freedom: The position is the primary review and has authority over decisions associated with tax issues on behalf of the University. The position consults with the Controller on decisions that would impact the overall tax and NRAT program and on new developments in tax law and University policy.
Impact: Decisions and judgments made by the incumbent affect federal tax reporting and liabilities for non-resident individuals, independent service providers and the University. Errors in judgment can result in violations of federal law and possible penalties, fines and interest to the University for failure to withhold taxes as required. Violations of immigration policies can result in debarment from federal contracts.
4. Describe the knowledge, skills (to include cognitive requirement and verbal and written communication), and abilities (to include task complexity, problem solving, creativity and
innovation) essential to successful performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:

State and federal laws and regulations concerning federal immigration policies and IRS taxes; non-resident alien tax payment and tax issues

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Payroll and/or 1099 tax reporting

Higher education organizational structures, operations and policies

IRS regulations regarding independent service providers

Accounting and financial reporting
Skills:

Effective interpersonal and human relations skills

Strong written and oral communication skills including public speaking and presentation skills for training

Organizational skills

Proficiency in the use of a personal computer and current software applications including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint and email)

Teaching and training skills

Effective problem-solving, decision-making and analytical skills
Ability to:

Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information

Work and interact with a diverse population with different cultural backgrounds

Understand and interpret formalized policies, guidelines, rules and regulations relating to nonresident alien tax and immigration issues

Educate and train employees on processes and procedures

Evaluate and interpret IRS pronouncements, tax regulations, revenue procedures, revenue rulings, tax court decisions and other supporting authority in order to ensure proper tax reporting, training and education of personnel on tax concepts and the rules and standards required to maintain compliance with government tax agencies

Draft memorandums or other correspondence to support tax positions

Position Description - Specialist, Tax and Accounting Page 4

Manage, prioritize and complete multiple projects/tasks in an efficient and timely manner while maintaining focus on organizational goals

Utilize sound judgment in developing solutions to tax questions, internal policies and control or audit issues

Research issues, provide solutions, make appropriate decisions and bring concerns to management
5. Describe the type of personal contacts encountered in performing the duties of the job.
Explain the nature and purpose of these contacts: i.e., to provide services, to resolve
problems, to negotiate.
Internal Reason for Contact
All levels and types of employees and students
UNR departments and units
Non-resident alien students and faculty
Discuss and resolve problems on issuing or receipt of payments; conduct independent service provider contract and claim review and approval; ensure compliance with nonresident tax reporting
Provide information and answer questions about processing payments to non-resident aliens and independent service providers; provide training on payments to non-resident aliens and independent service providers
Assist individuals in providing adherence to and compliance with federal laws and to educate personnel on the complexities of this area
External
Independent service providers
Internal Revenue Service
Reason for Contact
Review and approve independent contractor forms and collect information to assist in compliance with IRS tax requirements and to assure UNR does not violate tax law including non-resident alien taxation
Communicate issues on NSHE’s 1042 and 1042-S, 1099, 990 and other notices and reports and Certifying Acceptance Agent contract with the IRS
6. Indicate the minimum qualifications which are necessary in filling this position should it become vacant. Please keep in mind the duties/responsibilities of the position rather than the
qualifications of the incumbent. a. Minimum educational level, including appropriate field, if any.
Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution
b. Minimum type and amount of work experience, in addition to the above required education necessary for a person entering this position.
Bachelor’s Degree and two years, or a Master’s Degree and one year, of professional tax experience
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None c. Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None