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Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an assessor. Feel free to use our assessor job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an assessor.

 

Who is an Assessor?

The word assessment or assessor is used in different ways to mean different things. Educationists use the word to mean an individual who vets a student’s project, coursework, and assignment for instance. However, assessment or tax assessment is a process of determining the value, worth, and use of a property or asset to calculate tax. Tax payment is important in every society. The government at all levels needs to collect taxes to function properly. Hence, community, local, state, and federal governments often impose taxes that must be redeemed against personal properties, real estate properties, and income.

Assessment is usually carried out by skilled individuals called assessors. An assessor evaluates and estimates the value of a property and recommends a particular amount to be paid as tax. In some areas, the assessed value is meant to equal the market value of the asset. In contrast, the market value of the property is multiplied by an assessment ratio to arrive at the assessed value in other jurisdictions. Once the assessed value is determined by the assessor, it is multiplied by a tax rate known as the “mill rate” to arrive at an amount for the property tax. Thus, the assessor plays a crucial and unique role in tax generation.

An assessor uses several methods and techniques to determine the value and taxability of assets; these include structural management, sales analysis, expense analysis, field inspection, calculation, and market trend studies. Also, the assessor inspects new buildings and constructions and major renovations to existing buildings to determine their value and taxability respectively. Most assessors monitor and evaluate the monetary worth of multiple properties in a niche or neighborhood. They are officials mostly appointed by the government or elected in some cases. Although the profession has some similarities with real estate appraisers, differences still exist.

A real estate appraiser evaluates one property at a time to determine its value for a mortgage company or bank. In contrast, an assessor evaluates numerous properties at a time in the terrain. Assessors are mostly based in the office; however, they visit and inspect properties and assets sometimes and are known to work full-time during regular business or work hours. To grow in the profession or career, an assessor must have or develop expertise in real estate and have excellent business acumen among others; this enables them to get a grip on property evaluation, valuation, estimation, and appraisal.

Apart from the evaluation and inspection of properties, assessors can also use maps to assess buildings and surrounding assets, apply assessment techniques to review properties, and subsequently write reports. Many assessors have been reported to possess good knowledge and qualities such as availability for travel at any given time, property assessment capabilities, proficient networking abilities, and excellent computer and numeracy competencies. Relatively, the prominent assessors are those with a keen interest in subjects like economics, finance, and business. Crucially, assessors take cognizance of fair value and work per prescribed schedules when appraising personal and real assets. Daily, an assessor reviews information about the transfer of assets to enhance its accuracy; they make corrections accordingly and check rudimentary information on sellers, buyers, and sales prices. Similarly, most assessors develop and keep present data on each allotment assessed such as elements and characteristics of properties, maps of boundaries, inventories of land and structures, and any applicable exemptions. In some organizations and agencies, the assessor provides sales analysis reports to be used for equalization and adequate estimation. Importantly, the assessor is responsible for defending every assessment at public hearings; he/she provides details and data on the entire assessment process.

Furthermore, an assessor explains the assessed values to the property owners, employer, or government in general. Some agencies mandate the assessor to explain personal and real property taxes to asset owners as well. A property might change or be upgraded due to demolition or construction; assessors regularly review properties within the terrain to determine and take note of such changes. The review can be quarterly or yearly. Notwithstanding, some assessors often serve and participate in assessment board reviews weekly or monthly based on the organization. Analysis of trends in prices, rents, construction costs, and sales form part of the routine of assessors. This enables them to determine the accuracy and correctness or not of previous assessments. While assessing the property or structure, an assessor photographs the interior and exterior and compares them to similar properties to generate an accurate value for the property. Instead of evaluating individual properties or homes in a municipality, an assessor utilizes computer software to evaluate the entire area at once. In large jurisdictions, like government-owned property or investment, an assessor merely certifies the report of fieldwork done by revaluation firms. Depending on the level or strata in the position, an assessor can set policies and procedures for establishing assessed value; they can reject or approve exemption applications as well. Additionally, an assessor’s familiarity with a specific clime or geographical location gives them the advantage of knowing the effects of the environment on properties.

                                       

Assessor Job Description

Below are the assessor job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an assessor job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.

An assessor performs various tasks and duties to complete his/her job responsibilities. To stand out in the profession and perform duties accurately or efficiently, an assessor must have a keen eye for detail and unique public relations ability. Although the job descriptions of assessors often vary due to the employer or municipality; the following are the main functions of an assessor;

• Review property changes: When a property or structure has undergone renovation, deterioration, or improvement, an assessor reviews the changes and re-evaluates the property. Then, they update the relevant records and documents to include the recent changes. Whenever there is a property sale or transfer, the assessors check the previous assessment and verify the seller and buyer information.
• Gather assessment data: The first step in the evaluation, assessment and valuation of assets and properties is the gathering of assessment data. The assessor inspects the property, takes photographs, gathers extensive data, and documents any milestones about the property. They will consult structural plans, conduct interviews, and peruse related construction papers to test for efficiency and discover deficiencies.
• Prepare documentation: As part of their job description, assessors prepare and maintain the quarterly or yearly assessment roll that contains the valuation of all properties in a community or jurisdiction. They write reports for every assessment conducted; these reports describe the condition of the structure, provide technical details, and estimate the costs of maintenance.
• Provide information: Information is essential in the assessment of properties for tax valuation. Since the exact property tax rate relies on the assessors’ judgment, the assessor is expected to explain in detail the justification for their valuations to asset owners. Such explanation must be accompanied by shreds of evidence and proof. Significantly, the assessor answers questions from all and sundry and defends their reasoning and policy during tax hearings.
• Determine property value: Perhaps, this is the most important and sensitive aspect of the responsibilities of an assessor. Evaluating the value of a property requires more than a thorough examination of its physical condition. An assessor compares their findings or discoveries against the current sales trends, economic context, depreciation over time, and how properties in the area compare. After deciding on a market value, they deduce the property tax rate.
• Prepare and maintain current statistics and facts on each parcel assessed such as maps of boundaries and inventories of land.
• Identify the owners of each piece of taxable structure or property.
• Issue notices of assessment and taxes.
• Be familiar with aspects of municipal real estate markets.
• Approve or reject applications for assets tax deductions or exemptions.
• Analyze trends and developments in construction costs, sales prices, and rents to assess properties value and determine the accuracy of the assessment.
• Create identical and equitable systems for assessing all forms of properties.
• Participate in assessment board reviews and hiring of new staff.
• Enter, transcribe, record, store, and maintain information in electronic or magnetic form.
• Negotiate with property owners to reconcile and resolve differences.
• Participate in employee training and orientation.
• When instructing team members, select and use the appropriate training and instructional procedures and methods.
• Monitor and assess properties within the vicinity constantly.
• Stay updated technically and apply discoveries to the job.
• Maintain a database of all properties in the terrain.
• Determine how properties are used and assign classifications based on that.
• Retain property maps.
• Notify taxpayers of the classification and market value of their assets annually.

 

Qualification Requirements and Proficiency for Assessors

An assessor is an organized, disciplined, and meticulous professional with experience in real estate. Assessors have developed familiarity with property trends over time. They are conversant with the property dynamics and laws guiding property usage and taxation in their terrain. These days, employers and firms recruit assessors with the best qualification that span college or university education, membership of professional bodies, and provable working experience. Thus, the following are the qualification requirements for an assessor;

• Education: Though there aren’t any universally mandated and specified minimum education requirements for assessors, every country, state, and locality that have assessor boards develop their minimum educational standard. Most times, a bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, or business is desired; however, some terrains and municipalities recruit candidates with a high school diploma with good grades in mathematics, English, business, computer science, business, and economics. Also, applicants or assessors with a bachelor’s degree in engineering or other related fields are favored since their coursework covered aspects that can tackle the technical concepts involved in property valuation.
• Certification and training: Candidates that have completed and passed certain certification examinations are at an advantage. However, such persons will be required to complete some hours of continuing education yearly as well as regular on-the-job training. Some organizations or agencies mandate assessors to undergo and complete training in a revaluation firm, municipal board, or local college as well. The International Association of Assessing Officers offers various assessors certifications that can suffice. These certificates signify exceptional skills, excellent intellectual ability, and can help you get a promotion or pay rise. Examples of such professional certificates include Residential evaluation specialist, Assessment administration specialist, certified assessment evaluator, Personal property specialist, and Cadastral mapping specialist.
• License to practice: Some territories and employers require an assessor to present a state or local license to practice. To keep and maintain such a license, the assessors must take continuing education courses for specified hours and periods.

 

Essential Skills

To be a successful assessor, an individual must develop proficiency and skills that cut across analysis, mathematics, written and oral communication, and public relation. The assessor must be able to inform the public and property owners about assessment and taxation via meetings, seminars, workshops, and presentations. Importantly, these skills are either inherent in the assessor or acquired through training and life experience. Hence, employers recruit candidates who display the following skills for assessor positions;

Social perceptiveness: This is the ability of an individual to understand why others react in a certain way. This skill enables the assessor to be aware of a property owner’s reaction and understand why they act in a particular way.

Active learning: The assessor is a voracious reader and learner; they must develop and harness skills that make them understand the implications of new information and changes in the valuation of properties for current and future decision-making.

Property valuation skills: The endpoint of assessment of the property is valuation and onward taxation. Therefore, an assessor must be knowledgeable about different appraisal procedures and processes ranging from cost analysis of building materials to software usage.

Information management skills: Every process of property assessment produces an abundance of information. An assessor must possess the technical know-how to organize this data into clear reports and systematically note them down in assessment rolls.

Sensitivity and Patience: Tax rate can be a complex and sensitive topic. Thus, an assessor must be transparent throughout the process and patiently address customers’ or property owners’ concerns. Also, they should be polite and mindful of privacy when entering properties.

                                         

How to Become an Assessor

Arguably, the path to becoming an assessor is smoother and easier than most professions; however, certain criteria must be met to qualify for a role as an assessor. The following tips can guide fresh graduates and aspiring assessors in the journey ahead;

• Read and understand the job description, qualifications, and skills for an assessor.
• Complete a high school diploma with good grades in subjects like economics, mathematics, computer science, and business.
• Enroll for a bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, engineering, and other related fields to enhance your education and employability.
• While in school, develop and build essential skills required for the profession through focus group discussions and field trips.
• Look for trainee assessor positions to gain relevant work experience and on-the-job training.
• Earn professional certification from the International Association of Assessing Officers.
• Where applicable, get a license to practice and hence, apply for assessor positions online or onsite.

 

Where Can An Assessor Work?

Most assessors are employed by city, town, or county governments. An assessor can also work for evaluation firms and agencies as well as large assessment enterprises in municipalities. In some locations, assessors are employed on a part-time basis or on short contracts.

                                        

Assessor Salary Scale

The earnings of an assessor vary with location, employer, and experience. According to reports, the median annual salary of an assessor is $54,980. Assessors in the lowest or tenth percentile earn $29,690 while the highest-paid assessors make an estimated $102,590 yearly.

Education and Training

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