DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Division of Financial Services
Accounting Administration
Address: 400 West Congress Street, Tucson, Arizona 85701

Salary: $39,728.00 - $42,712.00 Annually 

Grade: 16

Closing Date: May 1, 2026

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, Accounting Administration, is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as an Accounting Specialist 1. This position is responsible for the management of over 1200 individual member accounts that receive federal benefits from various sources, such as Social Security, and corresponds with Social Security, ALTCS, DDD Support Coordination, Qualified Vendors, Guardians, Public Fiduciaries, Parents, Family, and Members. The Accounting Specialist 1 applies reasonable independent judgment, following Social Security, DES, and ALTCS specific policies and procedures; completes and submits an accounting of federal benefits to Social Security; reports changes to Social Security, such as residence, employment, death, adoption, incarceration, and hospitalization; reports monthly earnings and account balances; completes and submits various documents to Social Security to avoid suspension or termination of federal benefits; conducts phone interviews with Social Security for continuous disability benefits or additional benefits; conducts phone interviews for Rep Payee request; coordinates process for disability determination of benefits with support coordinators (SC).

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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

● Review, analyze, monitor, and maintain accurate individual member accounts, do not exceed federal resource limit; establish budgets and set up recurring payments that are within the monthly benefits received; and engage in collection activities and/or recommend contract action to the Office of Licensing, Certification, and Regulation and Quality Assurance on any findings of misuse of members' benefits.
● Approve/deny request for funds, issue and mail out payments by check; approve/deny monthly expense ledgers and one-time special funds expenditures; and review Social Security income and Room/Board billing for variances or discrepancies, report/request expedient resolution.
● Report delinquent items to our Qualified Vendors/Providers for resolution; provide and explain procedure and/or policy on valid use of member funds, submission of monthly expense ledgers, and/or one-time special expenditures.
● Data entries and/or upload various information or documents into the Exact Payee program; download ACH deposits, update, and prepare paper deposits. Monitor and respond to bank exception reports and upload the daily positive pay report; and provide technical support to DES/DDD Support Coordination on how to use the Exact Payee program, reset passwords, unlock accounts, modify use, add/delete users, etc.

Knowledge in:

● Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP).
● DDD Services and Social Security Benefits.
● Maintenance of financial accounts and records.

Skilled in:

● Summarizing and analyzing large amounts of information and data.
● Reading, understanding, and interpreting complex issues, rules, regulations, and policies.
● Strong verbal and written communication.

Ability to:
● Reconcile accounts with a great deal of detail and accuracy.
● Calculate, analyze, and reconcile data.
● Organize, prioritize, and manage a very heavy workload with short deadlines.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

● Knowledge of Social Security benefits.
● Twelve (12) semester hours OR one (1) year of accounting experience.

● 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 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
• 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

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 Rose Ibe at (928) 225-4382 or by email at ribe@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 (928) 225-4382. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.