BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY

100 N. 15th Ave. Suite 165

Phoenix, AZ 85007

http://www.azaccountancy.gov

Salary: $70,511 - $143,000 

Grade: E2

Closing Date: Open until business needs are met (first review of resumes on June 1, 2026)

The Executive Director reports to a seven-member board appointed by the Arizona Governor’s Office and serves as the chief executive officer of the Arizona State Board of Accountancy and is responsible for the overall management, leadership, and operation of the agency. This position ensures the effective regulation of approximately 11,300 certified public accountants (CPAs) and 900 CPA firms through examination, certification, registration, continuing professional education, peer review, regulation and rehabilitation to protect the public from unlawful, incompetent, unqualified or unprofessional CPAs or CPA firms.

This position is not a remote but may offer limited telework based upon the department’s business needs and the 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.

Management and Supervision:
• Direct the operations of the Board’s office which oversees the regulation of approximately 11,300 Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and 900 CPA firms
• Oversee the monthly activities of the Board and its six advisory committees (Tax Practice, Accounting and Auditing, Law Review, Peer Review Oversight, Certification, and Continuing Professional Education) consisting of 42 members
• Oversee the process for applicants applying to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam
• Oversee the process for applicants applying for certification, biennially registering their certificate and a CPA’s continuing professional education compliance
• Oversee the process for applicants applying for firm registration, biennially registering firms and a firm’s compliance with peer review
• Oversee the investigation of complaints and regulatory action against CPAs and CPA firms for violation of statutes and regulations and professional standards
• Oversee information technology
• Supervise employees, document performance issues, provide performance feedback, administer discipline, conduct performance evaluations and hire and train employees
• Oversee and ensure that business processes are efficient, cost effective and in compliance with statutory and administrative code framework

Operations:
• Statutes and rules – evaluate board statutes and rules and draft proposed language for the Board and the Board’s Law Review Advisory Committee to ensure that the Board’s statutes and rules stay up-to-date and consistent with board operations. Responsible for drafting legislation and dockets and notices of proposed/final rulemaking.
• Audits – responsible for sunset audit, financial audits and human resource audits.
• Fiscal – approve board expenditures, approve payment of all invoices and travel claims for authorized board expenditures, resolve accounts payable issues, and make effective and economical use of resources.
• Human resources – recruit, employ, evaluate, dismiss, discipline and direct professional, clerical, administrative, and technical personnel necessary to carry out the Board’s mission and enforce statutes and rules. Responsible for on-boarding and off-boarding employees, personnel requisitions, personnel action forms, Family Medical Leave Act administration, and other associated human resource related duties.
• Procurement/contract management – develop scopes of work, evaluate bids, enter into contracts for goods and services and manage contracts that are necessary to carry out board statutes and rules and the performance of the vendors carrying out the contract provisions. Enter into and manage interagency service agreements (e.g., Attorney General’s Office, Arizona Department of Administration Central Service Bureau, Office of Administrative Hearings).
• Facilities operations and maintenance – Approve and coordinate tenant improvements with property management. Maintain inventory of state property and ensure proper surplus.
• Reporting – responsible for annual reporting requirements including but not limited to fixed assets, FTE reporting, credit card transactions and revenue, risk management survey, OSHA, equal employment opportunity, Governor’s Regulatory Review Council, Bonded Indebtedness, and Lease Purchase or Third-Party Financing Contracts.
• Website – Manage content on the Board’s website and actively contribute content to keep information up-to-date.

Budget and Strategic Planning:
• Budget - Develop budget for submission to the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, manage appropriation, provide monthly budget updates to the Board.
• Strategic Planning – Develop and execute agency strategic plan and provide board updates, develop Master List of State Government programs for submission to the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.

Representation
• Represent the board before the legislature and serve as the Board’s designated public lobbyist and testify at legislative committees and meet with legislative council, house and senate staff, and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee staff to educate and advocate and advance the Board’s legislative and/or fiscal agenda.
• Represent the Board before the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council to address proposed rulemakings and work with GRRC attorneys and economists.
• Represent the Board before the media and respond to media inquiries and public records requests.
• Represent the Board with the Governor’s office and other executive branch agencies.
• Attend the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Arizona Society of CPAs meetings and conferences and work to coordinate joint activities that will enhance public protection and further professional accounting issues.
• Represent the Board with other boards of accountancy jurisdictions and share information when requested.
• Represent the Board with applicants, registrants, opposing legal counsel and the general public and manages difficult or emotional customer/stakeholder situations

Business Analysis:
• Identifies opportunities for use of solutions to improve efficiency and reduce waste
• Recommends business process redesign
• Pivotal role in gathering and documenting business requirements for complex projects
• Provide functional expertise to developers during the design and construction phase of projects

Board and Committee Meetings:
• Serve as advisor to board and committee members
• Ensure board and committee meetings are in compliance with open meeting law
• Oversee the preparation of agendas, materials, and recommendations for Board and committee consideration
• Attend Board meetings and facilitate board action through the writing of summaries of agenda matters to aid board member meeting preparation
• Attend advisory committee meetings, as necessary
• Provides written or oral reports to keep the board and its advisory committees informed of relevant issues
• Prepare and deliver follow-up correspondence as directed by the Board and advisory committees to relevant parties

Knowledge of:
• regulatory frameworks and administrative law

Skills in:
• Strategic leadership and public sector management
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Financial and operational oversight
• High ethical standards and sound judgment
• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking, decision making, oral and written communication skills

Ability to:
• Manage own emotions, remain calm and composed when dealing with distraught people; emotional self-regulation

• Master’s degree
• Experience with Arizona state government operations
• Experience working with the Arizona Legislature

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field
• Five (5) or more years of executive or senior management experience
• Experience with budgeting, personnel management, and systems development

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
• Retirement plan
• Health and dental insurance
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation
plans, and supplemental life insurance
• For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page
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

By providing the option of a limited 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

• 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 Whitney Jennings, HR Consultant at whitney.jennings@azdoa.gov.