Accounting Specialist 3

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Your Partner For A Stronger Arizona.

DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona.

DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life.

ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST 3

Job Location:

Division of Business Services
Office of Accounts Receivable and Collections
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $47,840.00 - $50,820.00 Annually 

Grade: 19

Closing Date: March 17, 2025

Job Summary:

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that makes Arizona thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES) we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals that are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit des.az.gov; or click on the link here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come Join the DES Team!

The Accounting Specialist 3 will lead and oversee Accounting Specialist 2 staff, ensuring proper procedures in the automated Collections system (ARICS) for cash receipts, billing, and collections. This role includes monitoring and analyzing automated reports, reviewing daily accounting and collection reports, and reconciling ARICS with other systems like AZTECS, GUIDE, FOCUS, and AZ360.

This position may be available for remote work within Arizona (one to two days per week in the office/hoteling.)

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Analyze client accounting transactions and promptly respond to DES or client inquiries
• Analyze accounting and collection information for DES programs.
• Prepare spreadsheets for clients, client representatives, or DES staff.
• Ensure the accuracy of data entered manually or electronically. Ensure the integrity of the cash receipts process.
• Review reconciliation of accounts receivable deposits and lockbox receipts and make necessary financial or system adjustments to the automated systems.
• Analyze cash receipts, bank records, and financial transaction adjustments, and ensure reconciliation of all other related documents to individual accounts.
• Assist in resolving difficult or unusual accounting and/or reconciliation problems in all automated interfaces, including ARICS and AZ360.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable statutes, federal rules, DES, and program-specific policies, procedures, and GAAP for all accounts receivable responsibilities. Respond to internal and external inquiries and Federal and state auditor inquiries regarding all accounting transactions in accounts receivable.
• Communicate with the Treasurer's Office, Government Accounting Office, and State servicing bank regarding transactions as well as access Federal Tax Information (FTI).
• Lead, train, and monitor the work of Accounting Specialist 2 staff.
• Monitor, reconcile, and review fiscal documents for the automated clearing account and electronic fund transfers for posting to the AZ360 and wire transfers to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and PUA Fund.
• Adjust AZ360 to ensure appropriate accounting of cash receipts.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:
• Principles, concepts, practices, methods, and techniques of government accounting and fiscal management.
• Automated accounting and collection systems, such as AZ360, ARICS; DES automated systems, such as GUIDE, and AZTECS.
• MS Office applications; Google Suite applications; and banking commerce protocols.

Skills in:
• Analytical and problem-solving; compile, organize and interpret complex financial data in a concise manner, including automated summary reports.
• Work techniques required to maintain accounting records through automated accounting systems.
• Mathematical computations, verbal and written communication, and workload management.

Ability to:
• Analyze automated data, summary reports, and provide workable products.
• Apply work methodologies in the processing of financial transactions related to accounting procedures.
• Establish work standards, disseminate information clearly and concisely, work independently, participate in problem-solving, and decision-making process.

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Two year of accounting experience plus a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field, such as Finance or Public Administration.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• A valid Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Fingerprint Clearance Card that meets DES requirements for a Level One card. The individual in this position must be able to obtain and retain this card for the duration of their employment with DES.
• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).
• Successfully pass background and reference check; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the Agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
• Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

Contact Us:

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Norma Pina at (480) 952-7560 or npina@azdes.gov.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by  contacting (480) 952-7560 or npina@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

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