DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

The Arizona Department of child Safety (DCS) is a social and human services agency whose mission is to successfully partner with families, caregivers, and the community to strengthen families, ensure safety, and achieve permanency for all Arizona’s children through prevention, services, and support.

Accounting Specialist 1

Job Location:

OFFICE OF FINANCE & ADMIN SERVICES
3003 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012

Posting Details:

Salary: $18.7688 HRLY/$39,039.10 Salary 

Grade: 16

Closing Date: August 1, 2025

Job Summary:

The Accounting Specialist I position located in the Centralized Invoice Payment Processing Unit is responsible for accurately paying a high volume of invoices for contracted child welfare services and/or placement providers in an approved time frame. This includes examining and verifying fiscal transactions such as invoices, back-up documentation, and payments, reconciling billing discrepancies, working with providers and other units within the department to resolve payment barriers and ensure accurate payments.

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:

• Process a high volume of invoices which includes examining, evaluating, approving/denying payments for contracted child welfare services and/or placement providers by ensuring that the invoices meet the contract requirements necessary to support payment, as applicable. This also includes research and analysis of data from provider invoices, case manager records, Guardian, and other sources as well as initiating requests via e-mail, phone, fax or other approved department methods for assistance in resolving payment barriers.
  
• Research and resolve billing discrepancies. Includes collaboration with providers, case managers and other DCS teams to determine correct level and duration of service. Review, analyze, research and resolve provider payment issues. Utilize critical thinking skills to attempt to resolve problems independently and know when an issue needs to be elevated to a lead or manager. Coordinate with Referral Units, Placement Administration, and case managers to remedy problems with Guardian Service Approvals, and coordinate with contracts staff to remedy contract issues that prevent accurate payment.
  
• Assist providers with questions related to payments, remittance advice, navigating Guardian to accurately complete and submit their invoices, etc.
  
• Assist in the establishment and revision of processes and procedures used in the accomplishment of work assignments. Attend trainings and meetings.
  
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Accounting principles, techniques and practices
  
• State and federal laws, rules, regulations, and agency policy and procedures relating to the payment of child welfare services
  
• Multiple funded programs reflecting in various organizations
  
• Various financial automated systems

Skills in:

• Computer operation
  
• Microsoft usage
  
• Interpersonal relationships
  
• Verbal and written communication
  
• 10-key operation by touch
  
• Reconciling
  
• Problem identification and resolution
  
• Data entry
  

Ability to:

• Identify and resolve discrepancies
  
• Collaborate with a variety of people to achieve a common goal
  
• Apply Department of Child Safety (DCS) policies and procedures

Selective Preference(s):

The preferred candidate will have the following: 8 hours of college level accounting credits and/or 1 year experience in accounts payable

Pre-Employment Requirements:

The ability to secure and mai