ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Division of Business and Finance (DBF) - General Accounting Office

 This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department’s business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures

Main Office Location: 100 N 15th Avenue, Suite 302, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $90,000.00 to $105,000.00 (DOE) 

Grade: 26

Open Until Filled

The Arizona Department of Administration, General Accounting Office, is currently looking for a Policy & Research Administrator. If you are driven, detail-oriented, and work well under pressure, this is the perfect opportunity for you. This position is all about providing thorough and precise work while also being able to provide guidance to our customers. The ideal candidate will be someone who is comfortable completing complex assignments, which include developing and defending statewide accounting and payroll policies, procedures, and forms in a fast-paced environment. They place a high priority on quality and accuracy, and can be counted on to always be prompt, precise, and professional. They must be highly self-disciplined, be able to conduct independent research, have strong written and oral communication skills, and be able to collaborate with other employees in a direct and clear-cut manner.

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.

• Recommend, draft, and prepare enhancements for improvements to policies, procedures, and methods for inclusion in the statewide policies and procedures or financial systems, sometimes based on input from other assigned professional and/or technical staff.
• Respond to agencies, boards, commissions, JLBC, and OSPB by providing guidance and/or research necessary to resolve problems or situations defined by the requesting entity, including requests for policy exceptions.
• Review subordinate or other assigned professional and/or technical staff recommendations for policy and procedures changes to assure the integrity of statewide financial data and consistency in the application of statutes and other related laws and/or regulations.
• Assist agencies in finding the resolutions to problems involving policies and monitoring.
• Review and approve transactions within the financial system and participate in various work groups and assignments related to statewide and agency financial policies, records, and processes
• Apply generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), and Governmental Accounting Standard Board (GASB) theories and concepts to a statewide governmental environment and policies.
• Testify on work performed and findings related to other state agencies and recommend enhancements for improvements to accounting and reporting systems, procedures, policies, and methods based on input from other assigned professional and/or technical staff.
• Review and recommend approval of data collected for accuracy prior to release, and develop training content for policy-related topics.
• Perform a lead role in the completion of complex assignments by other assigned professional and/or technical staff.
• Prepare documentation for presentation in court or before the legislature.
• Compose or review subordinate or other assigned professional and/or technical staff draft correspondence dealing with subject matter in ways that call for considerable discretion, judgment, or negotiation, replying to inquiries, presenting, and requesting information.
• Maintain current knowledge of job-related accounting theory, practices, and law by attending classes, seminars, or other educational courses and/or reviewing related publications.
  

Knowledge of:

• State’s laws, policies, and procedures
• Applicable Federal laws, rules, and regulations
• Preparing correspondence and policy
• Various accounting and payroll processes (e.g., principles, concepts, practices, methods, and techniques of governmental accounting)
• Generally accepted accounting procedures and principles
• Audit methodologies, internal control structures, accountability, and fiscal management
• English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar

Skills in:

• Communication - presents and expresses ideas and information clearly and concisely in a manner appropriate for the audience, whether oral or written
• Interpersonal - Is aware of, responds to, and considers the needs, feelings, and capabilities of others. Handles conflicts, confrontations, and disagreements in a positive manner. Works effectively with others in both favorable and unfavorable situations, regardless of status or position
• Technical - analytical, detail-focused
• Proactive - problem-solving orientation
• Urgent - able to achieve timely, quality results while working on varied activities
• Critical thinking - using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• Active learning - understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making
• Analytical - collecting, analyzing, and organizing complex and technical information
• Constructive feedback - able to hear and accept constructive feedback to modify and improve work product and communication

Ability to:

• Work within established standards and guidelines and use expertise-based problem-solving
• Effectively communicate and understand both in writing and orally
• Make quick decisions based on knowledge and experience in a timely manner while also collaborating with others
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Work autonomously and as part of a team
• Organize and prioritize
• Write formal policies using proper grammar and form
• Actively listen and respond appropriately with logic and knowledge of laws, policies, and procedures
• Be authoritative, able to minimize risk, and be confident in decisions made that meet quality and time standards
  

• Technical writing and government experience preferred
• Experience in accounting, finance, legal, and business-related subjects preferred
  

• Bachelor’s degree with a major preferably in accounting, legal, finance, or similar business-related field from an accredited college or university, OR a license as a Certified Public Accountant may be substituted for an accounting degree
• Background and reference check, including fingerprint check
• Requires possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete any required driving training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12)
  

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

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance
  

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

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment
  

• If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Christopher Langseth at christopher.langseth@azdoa.gov for assistance
• The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer