Accountant III - Phoenix Fire Department

City of Phoenix; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 69,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Traditional pension with employer and員

401(a) and 457 plans

Medical plans options

Paid time off including holidays and 2

Job summary

The City of Phoenix is seeking two Accountant III professionals to perform highly technical accounting work within Fiscal Services. One position is permanent and one is temporary, supporting GAAP, internal controls, audits, and city budget preparation.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, analyzing financial data, preparing statements, coordinating audits, and assisting with payroll, accounts payable/receivable and grant management as needed.

Qualifications

• Four years of progressively responsible experience as a professional accountant.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business or public administration or a related field.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.

Responsibilities

• Plan, assign, and supervise the work of professional and/or paraprofessional level accounting staff.
• Develop systems for reporting and accountability, including reports to Federal and State agencies and for capital projects and bonded debt programs.
• Coordinate and supervise auditing, scheduling, and updating annual and quarterly budget estimates.
• Analyze contract compliance requirements based on funding requirements.
• Track and maintain current accounts of all bond funds and operating funds related to the capital budget.
• Evaluate and revise accounting procedures for central control of capital improvement projects.
• Analyze and interpret fiscal and accounting records and prepare financial statements.
• Write financial and administrative reports and documents.
• Collaborate with Budget & Research and Finance to align department budget objectives with city plans.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Accounting supervision

Financial analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, business or public administration

Other combinations of experience and education may be substituted

Tools

Excel

Budgeting

Audit coordination

Job description

About This Position

The Phoenix Fire Department is committed to providing the highest level of public safety services to our community. We protect lives and property through fire suppression, emergency medical and transportation services, disaster services, fire prevention and public education. Our members will Prevent Harm, Survive and Be Nice!

About This Position

The Phoenix Fire Department is committed to providing the highest level of public safety services to our community. We protect lives and property through fire suppression, emergency medical and transportation services, disaster services, fire prevention and public education. Our members will Prevent Harm, Survive and Be Nice!

The Fire Department seeks to fill two dynamic and experienced Accountant III positions (one permanent and one temporary assignment) to perform highly technical accounting work. This work requires the application of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and sound internal controls. These positions will support the Department Budget Supervisor in accounting operations and annual city budgetary processes.

Accountant III staff will analyze financial data, prepare financial statements, develop rates, coordinate audits, support major programs or special projects, and assist with implementing new systems or processes. They may also prepare materials for presentations to executives, committees, or boards. Depending on operational needs, the incumbents may guide accounting personnel and assist with payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, grant management, and GAAP/budgetary reporting.

These roles will also support the Grants Financial Manager and Accounts Payable Team as those units expand within Fiscal Services. As this growth continues, the incumbents may supervise professional or paraprofessional staff and contribute to broader accounting operations. Both positions will initially report to the Fiscal Services Management Services Administrator, transitioning long-term to the Grants Financial Manager and Department Budget Supervisor.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, assign, and supervise the work of professional and/or paraprofessional level accounting staff.
• Develop systems for reporting and accountability, including but not limited to Federal and State agencies that fund City programs, capital improvement projects, and City bonded debt programs.
• Coordinate and supervise auditing, scheduling, and updating annual and quarterly budget estimates.
• Analyze contract compliance requirements based on funding requirements.
• Track and maintain current accounts of all bond funds and operating funds related to the capital budget.
• Evaluate and revise accounting procedures relative to central control of capital improvement projects.
• Analyze and interpret fiscal and accounting records and prepare accurate and complete financial statements.
• Write financial and administrative reports and documents.
• Collaborate closely with the Budget & Research and Finance departments to ensure alignment of department budgetary objectives with the broader city budget planning initiatives.

The temporary position will be funded through June 2028 with a possibility to be made regular in a future budget cycle. The temporary position will have benefits but will not earn city retirement credits or participate financially into the city's retirement program. If the successful candidate is a current City employee, all benefits will still be applicable, and the employee will still contribute to their pension. Temporary positions are not covered under civil service rules, and thus employment is considered "at-will", and employees may be separated at any time.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will have the ability to continuously improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service. The successful candidate will also have well developed competencies in complex decision making, effective communication, personal and interpersonal skills, and managing projects.

SALARY

Pay Range: $69,201.60 to $112,715.20 annually.

Hiring Range: $69,201.60 to $102,232.00 annually.

Pay Range Explanation

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• 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.

Benefits

A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes:

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information.
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions.
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans.
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan.
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually.
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options.
• Employer paid long-term disability.
• Free Bus/light rail pass.
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year.
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days.
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period.
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi.

For more details, visit: Unit 007 Benefits.

Minimum Qualifications

• Four years of progressively responsible experience as a professional accountant.
  • Including some experience training and supervising paraprofessional and professional accounting personnel.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business or public administration or a related field.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.
• The City job description can be found here.

Preferred Qualifications

• Accounting theory, principles, and practices and their applications.
• Financial audits (conducting, participating or providing information in response to an audit).
• Preparing annual budget estimates (expenditure and/or revenue).
• Interpreting and analyzing financial/accounting records and reports.
• Supervising professional and paraprofessional level accounting staff.
• Performing annual City budget processes.
• Performing advanced functions in Excel.

RECRUITMENT DATES

Recruitment closes September 9, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

• Job interviews may be held by video or audio conference.
• If you are in need of computer resources, click here for free options.
• Arizona at Work has frequent classes to help with resume writing, interviewing skills, and general career guidance. Click here for more information.
• Explore other Employment Opportunities with the City of Phoenix.
• Subscribe to receive e‑mail notifications about new employment opportunities.
• If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at [phone] or by text at [phone]. You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

REFERENCE Accountant III, JC:03240, ID# 62860, 08/27/2026, USM, CM, Benefits:007.

Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.

#DoWorkThatMakesPhoenixWork

City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.