Accountant I - Sheriff's Department

Pima County; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 57,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Pima County’s Sheriff's Department seeks an Accountant I to perform professional financial accounting within a county office. The role requires knowledge of accounting principles and the ability to manage journals, ledgers, and audits.

The position offers a competitive annual salary with a hiring range from $56,555 to $79,164, and requires a two-year accounting background, plus strong Excel skills. Open until filled and located in Tucson, AZ.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, public/business administration or closely-related field and two years of professional accounting experience.
• Two years with Pima County in an Accounts Payable Specialist, Accounting Specialist, or closely-related position.
• Education/experience substitutions allowed as defined by the department head.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and maintains journals and ledgers of financial transactions.
• Reviews accounts payable charges for validity and within adopted budgets.
• Ensures compliance with Board of Supervisor policies and Administrative Procedures.
• Authorizes payments of valid charges.
• Establishes and monitors purchasing accounting procedures.
• Bills, collects, accounts for and manages debts.
• Posts, balances and maintains accounting records for departmental operations.
• Reviews accounting reports for accuracy in revenues and expenditures.
• Reviews transactions for coding and cost accounting purposes.
• Assists in preparation of supporting documentation for annual audits.
• Audits and reconciles accounting records and documentation.
• Implements and maintains internal controls.
• Researches problems and questions regarding accounting procedures.

Skills

Accounts payable

Payroll

Excel

Education

Associate degree in accounting/finance

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5504 - Accountant I - Elected Officials

Salary Grade: 11

Pay Range

Hiring Range: $56,555 - $67,870 Annually

Pay Range: $56,555 - $79,164 Annually

• Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
• Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position.

Job Description Summary

Department - Sheriff's Department

Job Description

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5504 - Accountant I - Elected Officials

Salary Grade: 11

Pay Range

Hiring Range: $56,555 - $67,870 Annually

Pay Range: $56,555 - $79,164 Annually

The first review of applications will be on 10/09/2026.

The Accountant I position performs professional financial accounting work within a financial division of an Elected Official’s office, requiring theoretical knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices and methods of professional accounting. The Accountant I classification differs from Accountant II due to the level of complexity of assigned projects.

Essential Functions

• Establishes and maintains journals and ledgers of financial transactions;
• Reviews accounts payable charges for validity and within the adopted budgets;
• Ensures departmental compliance with Board of Supervisor policies and Administrative Procedures;
• Authorizes payments of valid charges;
• Establishes and monitors purchasing accounting procedures;
• Bills, collects, accounts for and manages a variety of debts due;
• Posts, balances and maintains accounting records unique to departmental operations, or for multiple departments;
• Reviews accounting reports for accuracy in revenues and expenditures and makes necessary corrections;
• Reviews transactions for coding and cost accounting purposes;
• Assists in the preparation of supporting documentation for annual audits of financial reports;
• Audits and reconciles various accounting records and documentation prepared by others;
• Recommends, implements and maintains accounting internal controls;
• Researches problems and answers questions regarding accounting procedures or documentation;
• Reconciles and monitors various accounting records, reports and funds;
• Maintains equipment utilization and inventory accounting systems.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in accounting, finance, economics, public or business administration or a closely-related field as defined by the department head at the time of recruitment AND two years of professional accounting experience.

Or

Two years with Pima County in an Accounts Payable Specialist, Accounting Specialist, or closely-related position as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment.

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):

• Bachelors degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field.
• Minimum one (1) year experience processing accounts payable and/or payroll.
• Minimum two (2) years experience using Microsoft Office Excel.

Selection Procedure

Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information

Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. ValidAZdriver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination.

Special Notice Items: Some positions may require satisfactory completion of a personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems. The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. This position will require a post-job offer physical and/or drug screen. Pima County determines whether a position is eligible for visa sponsorship at the time of recruitment. Eligibility is based on the requirements of the position and applicable laws and regulations. Not all positions with Pima County are eligible for visa sponsorship.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position. Action activity - bending, kneeling, reaching; motion activity - grasping; , behind themselves; speaking activity - in person, on a phone; vision - must be able to operate a motor vehicle, distinguish color, have depth perception, have peripheral vision.

Working Conditions: Working conditions will be determined by the position.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.