DEPT OF EMERGENCY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

Papago Park Military Reservation (PPMR), Phoenix, AZ

Salary: Up to - $24.7086 per hour (DOE) 

Grade: 19

Closing Date: August 11, 2026

The Accounting Specialist 3 provides agency-wide financial services to include: accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, travel, and financial status of funds reporting. Corresponds with internal and external customers regarding all financial inquiries and requests, conducts complex research and analysis, and provides timely resolutions and recommendations. Prepares financial reports for appropriations, funds, and grants. Actively participates in promoting a continuous improvement workplace culture, through the use of teamwork, root cause problem solving, standard operating procedures, and review of performance metrics.

Responsibilities include:
• Performs complex calculations, processes, and necessary documents for accounts payable, employee reimbursement (including travel and tuition) and payroll transactions of the agency are properly classified, recorded, reported, distributed, paid, and/or reconciled, as assigned. Analyze, interpret, and evaluate financial accounting/reporting systems, procedures, policies, and methods to ensure compliance, as assigned. Examine and verify fiscal transactions such as billing invoices, accounts payable documents, employee payroll and other reimbursement documents, and travel documents, as assigned. Perform complex mathematical calculations to complete accounts payable transactions, reports, documents, and claims, as assigned.
• Compiles and develops detailed billings for State Active-Duty missions and ensures submits for reimbursement to appropriate state agency. Maintains and updates agency tracking system to ensure reimbursement is received.
• Assist both internal and external customers on sensitive payment or reconciliation issues via email, phone or in person, as assigned. Work with vendors on invoice related matters, as assigned. Work with agency travelers to arrange appropriate and necessary travel accommodations, as assigned.
• Maintain, organize, and file agency financial records and reports. Prepare detailed reports summarizing financial transactions.
• Remains current on all laws, regulations, policies, and best practices related to accounting and taxation through regular engagement in activities such as: self-directed research, conferring with other practitioners and technical experts; subscriptions to regulatory/legal/industry newsletters and briefs; membership industry associations and attendance at meetings/events; and or participation in training and others continuing education opportunities. Actively contributes to team and individual effectiveness through the following: Attends staff meetings and huddles of work unit or district; and may cascade and track information as indicated. Completes all required training in a timely manner. Participates in assigned work teams as appropriate. May complete periodic metrics, projects, huddle boards and reports as requested. Prepares for and actively participates in 1:1 coaching with supervisor. Maximizes work processes and deliverables through lean principles within the Arizona Management System (AMS); and provides recommendations for process improvement and engages in continuous improvement efforts as assigned.

Knowledge of:
• Applicable State, Federal, and Departmental rules and regulations related to accounting principles and procedures
• Fundamentals principles of accounting and general fiscal and financial record keeping practices
• in the performance of assigned tasks
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Knowledge and Proficiency utilizing state of Arizona accounting systems to include: AZ360, HRIS, APP
• State of Arizona Accounting Manual (SAAM
• Cash flow principles and practices
• Strong financial and business acumen

Skilled in:
• Effective verbal, written, and listening communication skills
• Effective organization and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong mathematical skills to include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, average, and percentage
• Effective interpersonal skills and demeanor
• Proficient in the use of a PC in a Windows environment; in the use of the Internet; in the use of MS Office
• Applications such as Outlook, Word and Excel, PowerPoint; and in the use of Google Suite applications such as Gmail, Sheets, Docs, and Drive
• Proficient in Excel, specifically for financial transactions and tracking

Ability to:
• Clear a comprehensive background and criminal background check through the FBI via level one fingerprint clearance through the Arizona Department of Public Safety
• Work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Work in a confidential manner, ensuring information is shared with internal and external individuals in an appropriate manner
• Understand and solve problems by applying intermediate analytical skills to include collecting all the relevant information and data needed to address the problem; organizing, classifying and synthesizing the data into fundamental issues; from the information, identifying the most probable causes of the problem; reducing the information down into manageable components; identifying the logical outcomes from the analyses of the data collected; and, identifying the options and solutions for addressing the problems analyzed
• Analyze and maintain fiscal data
• Commit to excellence, and care about one another
• Work with and respond appropriately with Auditors

Desired qualifications include any combination of experience, education, and training that meets the knowledge, skills, and abilities as described. The preferred candidate will have experience in accounts payables, receivables, payroll and fixed assets. Knowledge in the state accounting manual and the state's procurement process. Successful completion of relevant training and college-level courses in the fields of accounting and finance.

Special Job Requirements:
• This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid Arizona 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 driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)
• In State travel required.
• Individual is required to pass a criminal background investigation.
• Must be a US citizen. Candidates for this position will be required to submit to a criminal background investigation as well as possess the ability to achieve a favorable Tier 1 investigation for the purpose of obtaining/maintaining a Common Access Card (CAC).

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.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• 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

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

Eligible DEMA employees participate in excellent retirement programs provided by the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and for fire personnel the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS).

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact hr@azdema.gov.
DEMA is a smoke-free work environment.
ADA/EEO Employer
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Employer