Accounting Specialist

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.

OFFICE OF FINANCE AND ADMIN SERVICES

3003 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012

Salary: $18.7688 HRLY/$39,039.10

Grade: 16

Closing Date:
October 17, 2026

The Accounting Specialist 1 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.

• 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 invoices.
• Assist in the establishment and revision of processes and procedures used in the accomplishment of work assignments.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

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

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

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

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

The ability to secure and maintain clearance from the DCS Central Registry.

Bilingual (English & Spanish)

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…