ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST I

Arizona State Government; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 41,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ASRS retirement

Paid holidays

Paid vacation & sick time

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Transit subsidy

Job summary

Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) is seeking an Accounting Specialist I to join the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) in Phoenix. The role focuses on statewide residential billing, cost of care, and reporting to support accurate client accounts and compliance with federal and state requirements.

Ideal candidates will have accounting knowledge, strong communication, and the ability to work with diverse teams.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of federal and state laws pertaining to client billing.
• AHCCCS rules and policy and Division rules.
• Policy, regulations and procedures on third party, liability/cost avoidance and billing procedures.
• Accounting principles and practices and math.
• Current practices in the field of Developmental Disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Statewide resource for inquiries, training and problem resolution for all residential billing issues.
• Participate with Federal Social Security Auditors on audits of client accounts.
• Develop methodology for Cost of Care program and track activities.
• Create and prepare weekly and monthly reports (Residential Cost of Care, Estates & Trusts).
• Review Estates, Trusts & Annuities program and ensure assets are billed appropriately.
• Review long-term care shares of cost and coordinate with health plans to determine charges.

Skills

Federal and State laws pertaining toó

Education

12 semester hours accounting or 1 year experience

Job description

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 I

Job Location:

Address:Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

1789 W. JEFFERSON STREET PHOENIX, AZ 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $41,000.00 - $43,000.00

Grade: 16

Closing Date: 8/11/2026

Job Summary:

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that makes Arizonans thrive? At the Arizona 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 here on the link to view 'Our DES' video. Come Join the DES Team!
The Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as an Accounting Specialist I. DDD provides individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families, services and supports that are flexible, high quality, and member driven. These services provide individuals with opportunities to exercise their rights and responsibilities of independent decision-making and engagement in the community.
Applicants for this position cannot be licensed or certified by the DDD Office of Licensing Certification and Regulation, cannot have a principal interest in or have a spouse or close family with principal interest in a DDD Qualified Vendor Agreement, and cannot be employed or subcontracted by a DDD Qualified Vendor.

Job Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Statewide resource for inquiries, training and problem resolution for all residential billing issues. Participate with management in ensuring maximum collections are maintained.
• Participate with Federal Social Security Auditors on Federal Social Security audits of client accounts.
• Statewide responsibility for the Cost of Care Program which includes developing methodology to determine those possibly eligible for the program; track all activities related to the program. Significant problem resolution.
• Create and prepare various weekly and monthly reports, including but not limited to the Residential Cost of Care reports, monthly summary reports, hardship reports, as well as collection reports on Cost of Care, Estates, Trusts & Annuities, Residential Billing, Share of Cost and Tort Settlements. Produce correspondence, review reports and other duties as assigned.
• Statewide responsibility for the Estates, Trusts & Annuities Program which includes assuring that all clients with more than the maximum level in assets are billed up to 100% of the cost of room and board until their resources drop below the eligibility limit.
• Review Long Term Care, verifying if client participates in the shares of cost for services.
• Send reports to the Office of Accounts Receivable and Collections so that they can bill client.
• Work with the health plans to determine charges that resulted in an injury claim. Run reports showing DDD charges and health plan charges. Correspond with attorneys.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

• Federal and State laws pertaining to client billing,
• AHCCCS rules and policy and Division rules,
• policy, regulations and procedures on third party, liability/cost avoidance and billing procedures Pedagogy and training Public speaking.
• Medical insurance billing and payments practices and procedures
• Medicaid and Division contracts
• Accounting principles and practices and math
• Current practices in the field of Developmental Disabilities..

Skills In:

• Excellent comprehensive oral and written communication
• Problem solving
• Research and organization
• Active listening
• Developing long range planning for cyclic events and seasonal variations in workload demands
• Working as a contributing member of a cohesive workgroup.

Ability to:

• Analyze billing problems and recommend usable solutions
• Resolve interpersonal issues
• Provide training to mixed groups of diverse backgrounds
• Work with frustrated and sometimes angry customers to resolve the issues
• Be cross-trained on other duties of the unit staff.

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
12 semester hours or (1) year of accounting experience.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• Valid Arizona Driver's License. Travel may be required for State business. Employees who drive on state business must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.) AND have an acceptable driving record in accordance with DES Fleet Management-Safety Program policy and procedures (DES 1-07-26 & DES 1-07-26-01). Employees may be required to use their own transportation as well as maintaining valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration however, mileage will be reimbursed

• 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.

Benefits:

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities.

Retirement:

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.
On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

Contact Us:

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact us Alyssa Figueroa at 602-663-9862 or [e-mail].

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 602-463-9862 or [e-mail]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.