Meet Virginia Malloy, Candidate For Tax Collector And Treasurer In Abington Township

ABINGTON, PA — Patch continues its pre-election coverage with a profile on Virginia Malloy, who is running for tax collector/treasurer in Abington Township.

Read on to see how Malloy responded to a Patch candidate questionnaire.

Age (as of Election Day)

58

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

Husband, Terry Malloy, three children Dana, Tara, and (Terrence) Max. Three grandchildren, Cheyenne, Tommy, and Elena. My husband and children were all educated by the Abington School District.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My son, Terrence Maxwell Malloy, is a Montgomery County probation officer.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, IRS Enrolled Agent

Occupation

Tax Accountant, 18+ years: Although I serve in a management position, my day-to-day responsibilities include financial statements, tax preparation, including federal, state, local, payroll, and sales tax returns for individuals, Partnerships, S corporations, Non-Profits, etc.
Prior to tax accounting, 35 years ago I started as a bookkeeper and worked my way up to Accounting Manager for large corporations.
As of July 1, 2021, I hold the position of 1st vice president of the Souderton-Telford Business Professional Women's (BPW) group.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

www.virginiamalloy.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

To counter the hubris of the status quo. Over time and generations, the means of communication has changed with advancements in technology. Our goal is to improve the tax office service structure and to implement communication strategies that will help the taxpayers of Abington Township better navigate the tax code requirements. All taxpayers will be kept informed.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Transparency and resolving issues: To improve the tax office service structure including communication strategies. Our team will create a feedback loop to allow our office to lean into taxpayer complaints and suggestions. We will take taxpayer suggestions seriously and act on those recommendations to improve the process, communication, technology, and system glitches. Our office will never be in the dark about the state of the taxpayer experience. This will allow us to continue to improve the experience and think about future needs of all taxpayers. Transparency will be established through two-way communication.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

We all understand that it is necessary to pay taxes because money collected in the form of taxes is used for building and maintaining roads, schools, fire protection, etc. Being a tax collector is not a one-sided position. I promise to pro-actively address taxpayer needs and continue to improve on your experience. I understand that some taxpayer needs will be time-sensitive and require immediate interaction via phone or in person meetings.
I promise that no member of our team will re-direct you to other government offices to avoid resolving your tax issue. Our goal will be to continue to develop a more integrated taxpayer service. Our office will be proactive. Remember, this is NOT a political position.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

First of all, I want to acknowledge Jay Blumenthal’s service and his willingness to put himself forward as someone ready to serve the people for another term.
However, my accounting and managerial experiences lead me to believe that the tax office needs an improved process for service and communication. This is not just my opinion, after going door-to-door in our campaign; I learned that the tax office response falls short of taxpayer expectations. I will take taxpayer suggestions seriously and act on those recommendations to improve the process, communication, technology, and system glitches.
If a problem arises or a tax regulatory interpretation is required, I understand that you, the
taxpayer will want it resolved and feel heard in the process. I will meet your needs with empathy, but along the way, our office will continue to establish and create an easier process for obtaining support.
There are many successful strategies in place in other townships that provide relief for long-term senior residents. These need to be explored and adopted, if applicable. In this economy, multiple ways of serving the taxpayer should be explored.
My many years of work experience in the tax field has prepared me well to fulfill the promises that I make to you today, the Abington Township taxpayers!

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Taxpayers can sign up for an automated newsletter to inform them about major updates. (Also posted on the website.) Our office will have extended hours during high volume tax season. Our help desk will always return your call or schedule an in-office meeting in a timely manner.
As we are living in challenging economic times, I promise to be forward-thinking in addressing taxpayer needs to help them prevent potential problems with meeting their tax liabilities.
I will continue to be active within the community through volunteering and participating in all township meetings.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My experience as an Accounting Manager, has enabled me to ensure efficiency and accuracy in all aspects of the accounting department. My experience as a tax accountant has enabled me to be educated and stay up to date with the ever-changing federal, state, and local tax laws.
I’ve researched tax regulations and analyzed financial statements to implement tax strategies to minimize the financial risks. I’ve maintained long-term relationships with our clients. I continue to provide taxation consultancy and explained the intricacies of tax laws to business and individual clients.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

At all times, come from a place of service and respect.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I do not and will not take the voters of Abington Township for granted. I have campaigned door-to-door to meet the Abington Township taxpayers in person to hear their concerns and
experiences with the Abington Township Tax Office and how we can be more responsive and provide better service.
My goal is to serve the Abington taxpayers in a professional and personable way
and to improve the efficiency and accuracy of our tax office, including our online services,
according to federal, state, and local laws. And finally, to build confidence in the Abington
Township Tax Collectors’ office by demonstrating consistency in my actions and respecting and valuing the time of our taxpayer.