DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Division of Financial Operations
Accounting Administration
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $51,393.89 - $56,100.00 Annually 

Grade: 19

Closing Date: September 18, 2025

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans 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 who 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 Department of Economic Security, Division of Financial Operations (DFO) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as an Accountant 1. This position operates under immediate supervision, analyzing financial information and preparing reports to maintain accurate records of assets, liabilities, profit and loss, and tax liabilities within the Division. The individual will apply accounting principles and perform tasks such as examining financial transactions for accuracy and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Responsibilities include reconciling reports, conducting accounting analyses, reviewing fiscal documents, and compiling data for financial summaries. The role also involves making entries and revisions to accounts and monitoring federal funds to ensure proper alignment of state and federal expenditures. Additionally, the individual will verify transactions like invoices and payments, while controlling budget expenditures to prevent overspending .

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona (one day 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, 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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Prepare, examine, and analyze accounting records, financial statements, and other financial documents to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards; monitor account transactions and verify related bank statements and the automated case management system for accuracy. Position requires access to the system with Federal Tax Information.
  
• Use automated accounting systems and applications to retrieve and review data files, analyze information, and track revenues and/or expenditures.
  
• Examine and verify a variety of fiscal transactions, including billing invoices, payments (including foreign payments from vendors), transfer recoupments completed by internal staff, payroll, or other financial documents.
  
• Establish tables of accounts and assign entries to proper accounts. Develop, implement, modify, and document record-keeping and accounting systems, making use of current computer technology.
  
• Develop, maintain, and analyze payment data, preparing periodic reports that compare payments to arrears and suspense amounts.
  
• Survey operations to ascertain accounting needs and to recommend, develop, or maintain solutions to business and financial problems. Advise management about issues such as resource utilization and the assumptions underlying budget forecasts.

Knowledge in:

• Economic and accounting principles and practices; Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Concepts, methods, and techniques of government accounting.
  
• Internal control structures and fiscal management.
  
• The analysis and reporting of financial data.
  
• Reference materials such as federal regulations, Arizona Revised Statutes, applicable agency manuals, and policies and procedures.
  
  
  

Skilled in:

• Analysis, interpretation, and communication of financial data.
  
• Techniques required to maintain accounting records through automated accounting systems (including personal computer skills and mainframe computer skills).
  
• Building and maintaining professional work relationships.
  
• Excellent oral and written communications to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with a diverse group (clients, co-workers, vendors, and other court and legal system staff).
  
  
  

Ability to:

• Learn the Federal, State, and agency laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing the child • support enforcement program.
  
• Multi-task and thrive in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment.
  
• Meet performance measures and data reliability goals.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Two (2) years of complex experience in bookkeeping, accounting, financial reporting, or related specialties.

• A Bachelor’s Degree in accounting or a closely related field is required.
  
• ARS 41-1969 Each employee or contractor of the Department of Economic Security who has access to federal tax information shall have a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to ARS 41-1758.07.
  
• 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 checks; 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).

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

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.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact us at (480) 952-7560 or email 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. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.