Auditor - Royalty Auditor

Auditor - Royalty Auditor-(23143492)

Work Unit Overview:

The Forestry & Trust Lands Division is responsible for the program administration and management of trust lands along with planning and implementing forestry and fire management programs throughout the State of Montana. These programs are implemented through an extensive network of staff in offices throughout Montana that work together to promote the sustainability of Montana’s trust lands, forests, rural lands, and communities. Trust lands were granted to the State of Montana through the Enabling Act of 1889 for the purpose of providing economic support to Common Schools (K-12) and other trust beneficiaries. These lands are managed while considering environmental factors and protecting the future income generating capacity of the land. Trust lands currently total 5.2 million surface acres, 6.2 million mineral acres, and ±200,000 acres of navigable waterway beds. Trust Lands bureaus include Forest Management, Real Estate, Agriculture & Grazing, and Minerals Management.

The Minerals Management Bureau and the Area Offices provide program administration and management for the 6.2 million acres of school trust mineral estate referenced above, including lands underlying navigable waterways. In fiscal year 2023, annual revenues generated by the Bureau contributed $68.17 million. Revenue for the common schools and other endowed institutions is generated through issuance of leases, licenses and permits authorizing individuals and companies to explore, develop and produce various minerals (coal, oil & gas, metalliferous and non-metalliferous). These various agreements require payment of fees in the form of rentals, bonuses, and royalties. The Bureau monitors compliance with agreement requirements, both in terms of payment of proper revenues to the state, and proper operational and reclamation activities on the ground. The Bureau has an annual budget of $1.2 million and 9.5 full-time employees.

Job Overview:

The Royalty Auditor conducts audits of production volumes and royalties reported and paid by companies who have leased state trust lands for producing oil, gas, coal, and other types of minerals.Duties include researching, examining, and verifying data on assigned audits, summarizing documents and findings in written reports, participating in informal conference calls, and assisting with program services.This position does not audit financial statements or taxes.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Audit Examination:

·Assists in identifying and evaluating eligible audit candidates.Additional data may be gathered to determine if a field audit is appropriate.

·Initiates royalty audits by sending an engagement letter to the involved parties. Coordinates travel and onsite arrangements for field audits.

·Conducts complex state trust lands royalty audits as assigned while using the Audit Program manual guidelines.Audit steps include preparation and setup, document review and analysis, drafting a summary report of the audit findings and issue letters, concluding the audit and any needed follow-up, and other related activities.

Royalty Payor and Program Support Services:

·Assists leasing and royalty unit staff with audit and royalty related questions.Provides references for state laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to state trust lands royalties.

·Provides input in the design of new reports, manuals, forms, and the Audit Program to enhance and improve production reporting and royalty paying compliance.

·Other duties as assigned may include managing special projects, representing the Division or Department at various meetings and conferences, and participating in ongoing training and educational programs.

Supervision - This position does not supervise

All applicants must submit the following (only electronic materials will be accepted):

Cover Letter Resume

HELPFUL HINT: You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application.

DNRC Benefits:

Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage Retirement Plans Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here, to learn more and see if you may qualify

If you have any questions or would like to review the job description for this position, please email Makayla Mangold at makayla.mangold@mt.gov.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, business, public administration or related field.  Two years directly related experience. Other combinations of education and experience may be substituted.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

This position requires knowledge of accounting and auditing standards, principles, and practices; investigative methods and procedures; business practices. Skills in researching and analyzing data from multiple sources; analyzing various financial, technical, and legal documents; technical and business writing; multi-tasking; paying attention to details and accuracy; managing multiple deadlines; providing timely and effective written and oral directions; and spreadsheet and word processing applications are required. Deductive and inductive reasoning skills are required abilities to solve complex problems and make decisions based on the relative costs and benefits of potential actions. To perform successfully as a royalty auditor, the incumbent must be self-motivated, possess a strong work ethic, maintain a positive attitude, and enjoy working with the public.

Special Information : Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months. 

Eligibility to Work : In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card".

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