ACCOUNTANT 4

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.

ACCOUNTANT 4

Job Location:

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

Posting Details:

Salary: $78,543 - $100,100.00

Grade: 24

Closing Date: November 9, 2026

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 Department of Economic Security, Financial Services Administration (FSA), is seeking an experienced, analytical, and detail-oriented Accountant 4. In this role, you will function as an agile Financial Project Lead, performing complex operational and cost accounting activities by applying established accounting principles to a wide variety of complex, rotating projects across the agency. Acting as a dedicated, project-based technical expert, this role is tasked with assessing, designing, and implementing GAAP-compliant financial frameworks for newly implemented programs, specialized initiatives, and existing processes.

​As a core member of the team, you will maintain a rigorous internal control structure through the review of reconciliations, financial data, and procedures to ensure absolute audit readiness. Operating independently under the supervision of the Deputy Accounting Administrator, this lead role resolves high-level problems and questions presented by management regarding complex accounting transactions. Furthermore, this position is critical in assisting with research to be used in the compilation of the agency's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).

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.

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:

• Accounting & Financial Statement Review: Performs senior-level accounting activities by applying established accounting principles, theories, and concepts to a wide variety of difficult rotating, project-based assignments. Reviews and approves complex financial statements and reports for completeness, accuracy, and strict conformance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or other specific accounting requirements.
• CAFR & SEFA Compilation Support: Schedules work papers and conducts research and analysis of financial data to be used directly in the compilation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) or other critical financial reports (SEFA). Ensures all assigned project frameworks and financial data rollups are fully audit-compliant and support state and federal reporting mandates.
• Internal Control & System Maintenance: Maintains a strong internal control structure through the comprehensive review of reconciliations, financial data, procedures, and controls across targeted agency programs and centralized accounts. Develops, implements, modifies, and documents record keeping and accounting systems (SOPs) to solve identified business and financial problems.
• Independent Problem Solving & Training: Works independently to resolve problems and questions presented by management regarding complex accounting transactions, policies, and procedures. Trains lower-level accountants on newly established frameworks and ensures a seamless operational handoff upon project completion.
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

​Knowledge of:

• Comprehensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the principles, concepts, practices, methods, and techniques of government accounting.
• Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, including the analysis and reporting of financial data.
• ​Knowledge of internal control structures and fiscal management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of reference materials such as federal regulations, Arizona Revised Statutes, applicable agency manuals, and policies and procedures.​

Skills in:

• Considerable skill in the analysis, interpretation, and communication of complex financial data.
• Skill in using automated accounting systems and applications to retrieve and review data files, analyze information, and track revenues and/or expenditures.​
• Skill in surveying operations to ascertain accounting needs and to recommend, develop, or maintain solutions to business and financial problems.

​Ability to:

• Review and approve complex financial statements and reports for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or other specific accounting requirements.
• Maintain an internal control structure through the review of reconciliations, financial data, procedures, and controls.
• Work independently to resolve problems and questions presented by management regarding complex accounting transactions, policies, and procedures.
• Schedule work papers and perform exhaustive analysis and evaluation of data to be used in the compilation of a Comprehensive Financial Report (CAFR) or other major financial reports. Perform in a lead capacity in training lower-level accountants.
  

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• CPA License preferred.
  

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in accounting or a closely related field is required. Plus ​two years' experience as an Accountant 2, 3 or equivalent.
• 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.
• 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
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities

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 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 dbsdfohr@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 dbsdfohr@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.