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.

ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST 1

Job Location:

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

Posting Details:

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

Grade: 16

Closing Date: May 1, 2026

Job Summary:

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.

Job Duties:

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, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

● Gener