Under general direction, audits all accounts filed by estates, personal representatives and guardians to ensure compliance with the Texas Probate Code. Monitors the caseload for probate and guardianships to ensure Probate Court compliance. Maintains related statistical data, records and reports.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is a job classification within the Finance job family. Incumbents typically perform a range of complex professional financial duties that require the application of standard financial theories, principles and techniques, and require the appropriate skill levels including intermediate skill levels in computer, analytical and communication skills. Incumbents perform complex work auditing probate records and accounts, conducting research and preparing related statistics and reports. Duties require a substantial degree of initiative and independent judgment. This classification typically performs duties at a department or office level. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.
- Audits Annual and Final Accounts to ensure compliance with Court instruction and the Texas Probate Code. Reviews bank statements, receipts, cancelled checks, and any additional information required by law for a complete audit of each Annual and Final Account. Reviews accounts for missing documents and writes letters or makes phone calls to request missing documents before auditing. Verifies and balances all accounts, noting questions raised and cash balance discrepancies on audit sheet. Ensures bond limit is sufficient to cover the estate.
- Inputs audit and account results into computer for future reference. Changes status of automated records to indicate next time period court review is required. Develops accounting systems and procedures to support Court's auditing procedures.
- Contacts attorneys to correct remaining problems in Annual and Final Accounts. Discusses problem accountings with Probate Judge and/or Associate Judge. Discusses with judges issues such as appointment of Attorneys Ad litem and case settings for Compliance or Show Cause hearing. Sends out monthly reminders for compliance dockets and works with attorneys to resolve problems prior to court date. Attends required court hearings. Updates database to reflect the next required action.
- Develops and maintains databases to generate reports, conducts analysis, and responds to requests for information. Designs, customizes and implements methods of retrieving data for use by Court staff. Assists in analyzing departmental methods of data usage to identify opportunities for improving databases. Trains and provides technical assistance to staff related to databases.
- Reviews bonds and miscellaneous applications such as motions to release funds from the Court Registry and applications for safekeeping, commissions, closing an estate, and attorney fees pertaining to the accounting. Discusses with judges any proposed actions on these applications. Updates databases to reflect actions required by the Court.
- Collects and prepares monthly case-activity statistics used to generate reports for Court staff. Updates database with statistical information.
- Serves as departmental liaison and represents the department's interests and works with County representatives and technology providers to implement automated systems.
- Supports the technical needs of the department. Coordinates with ITS staff to facilitate resolution of computer problems and issues. Provides backup for computer problems.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a directly related field AND four (4) years of increasingly responsible relevant professional level accounting, financial and/or legal assistant experience, including data analysis and case management related duties. Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a directly related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
OR,
Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
None required.
Preferred:
Completion of Texas College of Probate Judges (TCPJ) course work.
Valid Texas Driver’s License.
Knowledge of:
- Policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function.
- Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and standardized financial practices.
- Manual and automated systems relating to assigned function.
- Modern office practices, procedures and methods.
- Various types of investment vehicles and commonly used legal terminology.
- Business English, letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
Skill in:
- Problem-solving and decision-making.
- Completing professional financial reports.
- Both verbal and written communication.
Ability to:
- Evaluate statutorily required financial records.
- Collect necessary data and prepare analytical reports.
- Read, interpret and understand legal instruments.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.
Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-15 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing, crawling, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions.
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
Work Hours: 8am - 5pm, Monday - Friday
Work Location: 200 W 8th Street Austin, TX 78701
Department: Probate Court
This position may eventually offer a hybrid schedule, but it will start out on-site for an undetermined amount of time to allow for training and development.
Criminal background check, Education, Employment Verification Required.
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