Auditor-Appraiser I

Position Information

Do you have an accounting degree and an interest in real estate?
Would you like to serve your community and grow your career with the County of Sonoma?


If so, apply today to become an Auditor-Appraiser I!

Starting salary up to $48.48 /hour ( $101,183 /year) and a competitive total compensation package!*

As an Auditor-Appraiser I in the Clerk-Recorder-Assessor's Office (CRA) , you will gain experience auditing accounting records based upon data contained in those records and from physical inspections of properties in the field. Additionally, you will learn how to explain business assessment auditing procedures and methods to the general public, businesses, and commercial firms. You will also learn to apply auditing and appraisal theories and techniques to assess valuations of businesses' assets and improvements, as well as personal items like boats and aircrafts.

As an Auditor-Appraiser I , you will also be responsible for the following:

• Conducting business property tax audits on various sizes and types of businesses and properties
• Determining assessed values for business assets and fixtures
• Providing customer service via phone and in person to taxpayers
• Assisting taxpayers with their property tax matters and property statement filings
• Verifying the accuracy of property statement data that is reported by the taxpayer
• Preparing for assessment appeals and testifying before the Assessment Appeals Board
• Performing in-person site inspections when needed to collect and verify property data, equipment, fixtures and other improvements
• Performing computer searches of data for property ownership, valuations and other information

As an ideal candidate, you will possess many of the following:

• Experience with bank and general ledger reconciliations, tracking fixed assets and preparing depreciation schedules
• Familiarity with creating financial statements and related financial reports and completing a Business Property Statement and Agricultural Property Statement
• Knowledge of California Revenue and Taxation Code
• The ability to obtain permanent certification through the California Board of Equalization
• Strong public-speaking and communication skills
• Good listening skills, empathy, compassion and patience toward others
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) skills
• Possession of the Certified Public Accountant license is highly desirable

Please note: The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) is responsible for the certification of state and county assessors' personnel performing appraisals for property tax purposes. Statutes require the BOE to certify Auditor-Appraisers before they perform these duties. The certification includes an initial evaluation of the candidate's education and experience, and the successful completion of a qualifying examination. Please visit the California State Board of Equalization website for the certification requirements.

Board of Equalization License/Certification Requirements

• Hold a four-year degree with a specialization in accounting from a recognized institution of higher education (accredited) or be a licensed accountant in California or have passed a government civil service or merit system examination regularly given for the position of accountant or auditor by the Board of Equalization.

• A degree with a specialization of accounting consists of either 18 semester units (or quarter equivalents) of accounting and/or auditing courses from a recognized institution of higher education.
• Business law and economic classes may not contribute toward the 18 units; or 19 semester units (or quarter equivalents), 16 of which must be accounting and/or auditing courses from a recognized institution of higher education, and 3 semester units may be either business law or economic classes.
• Examples of accounting courses would include Principles of Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, Advanced Accounting, Governmental Accounting, Cost Accounting, Tax Accounting or Auditing.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Career Advancement - With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Auditor Appraiser II (salary up to $110,617/year)
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits: Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory .

This recruitment is being conducted to fill an Auditor-Appraiser I position in the Clerk Recorder-Assessor (CRA) Department. This position is 100% in-office Monday through Friday, with an 8am to 5pm schedule. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience*: Any combination of education, training and/or work experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally this would include a Bachelor's degree, or equivalent from an accredited four year college or university with major course work in accounting and auditing, or an active licensed accountant in the State of California; AND one year of recent, professional experience in accounting or auditing.

*The qualifications for this classification are subject to the California State Board of Equalization's current standards.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

The position advertised on this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Certificate: Incumbents are required to obtain an Appraiser's Certificate within the one year probationary period. Temporary certificates will be issued by the State Board of Equalization to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and receive a job offer from the County.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of: personal computers and commonly available software.

Knowledge of: the methods and practices used in auditing the accounting and financial records of businesses.

Ability to: read, interpret and apply the rules, regulations, policies and procedures that relate to the Assessor's Office; analyze financial and accounting data and draw logical conclusions from this review; speak and write effectively and establish and maintain cooperative relations with the public and with other employees; apply accounting and auditing techniques to practical field problems; obtain an Appraiser's Certificate within one year from the date of employment.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• • Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
  • You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
  • You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
  • Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
• Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
  
  Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.
  
  Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.
  
  The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
  
  An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Personally identifiable information (PII) is removed from the standard application fields and applicable attachments. This PII blind screening practice redacts a candidate’s personal information that could potentially influence or bias the scoring process. Personal information includes the applicant’s name, former last name, address, phone number, email, driver's license number, school name, education start and end dates, age, date of birth, gender, and race. This PII blind screening practice helps contribute to a fair and equitable examination process.
  
  Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
  
  • Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.
• Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.
  

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: JL
HR Technician: PPB

Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

County of Sonoma Benefits: General*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at Labor Agreements & Salary Resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to Human Resources or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonomacounty.gov or (707) 565-2900.

*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 11/25/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• County of Sonoma

• 707-565-8059

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