Accounting Specialist - Payroll

Mesa Public Schools; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 44,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation & sick leave

Holidays

Health insurance

Life insurance

Arizona State Retirement System

Job summary

Mesa Public Schools is seeking an Accounting Specialist - Payroll to manage biweekly district payroll, ensuring accuracy per district, state, and federal policies. The role requires processing payroll data, distributing paychecks, and maintaining timekeeping records.

Responsibilities include handling leave accruals, responding to employee inquiries, and ensuring compliance with salary codes and district procedures.

Qualifications

• High School education or equivalent.
• Three years payroll experience.

Responsibilities

• Verify data entry for personnel payroll records to ensure accurate hourly earnings, contract calculations, funding codes, personal information, etc
• Process and distribute paychecks
• Perform data entry for timecard batches and appropriate voluntary deductions
• Code employee records for leave accruals and holiday eligibility
• Examine and verify payroll and absence reports
• Maintain and monitor employee sick leave and vacation records in TimeClockPlus
• Verify leave of absence salary calculations and absence postings
• Run queries to maintain attendance files
• Process paperwork to replace lost warrants; generate hand-issued warrants and cancellations
• Acquire knowledge of and administer regulations, policies, and agreements
• Acquire knowledge of salary codes and use as needed
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding salaries, deductions and benefits with tact
• Regular and on-time attendance
• Perform other related duties to ensure functioning of the unit
• Assist with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of Mesa Public Schools

Skills

Typing & data entry

10-key by touch

Math aptitude

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Education

High School education or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Access

TimeClockPlus

Mainframe

iVisions

Job description

Accounting Specialist - Payroll

Mesa USD 4 Payroll - Mesa, Arizona Open in Google Maps

Job ID: 5930963

Application Deadline: Oct 01, 2026 11:59 PM (Mountain Standard Time)

Posted: Sep 17, 2026 6:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: To Be Determined

Job Description

• Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Employment Type: Full-time (40 hours per week)

Base Hourly: $21.01

Class/Calendar: B22,12 months

Benefits: Vacation, sick leave, holidays,retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay: Available annually

New Hire Experience: 1% of the base hourly rate granted for each year of verified like experience (within ten years) beyond the requirement, up to aten-year maximum

New Hire Education: 1% of the base hourly rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position

Job Summary: To process biweekly district payroll to ensure accuracy and adherence to district, state and federal policies and procedures; and to ensure accuracy of employees’ accrual records.

Key Responsibilities:

• Verify data entry for personnel payroll records to ensure accurate hourly earnings, contract calculations, funding codes, personal information, etc
• Process and distribute paychecks
• Perform data entry for timecard batches and appropriate voluntary deductions
• Appropriately and accurately code employee records for leave accruals and holiday eligibility
• Examine and verify payroll and absence reports
• Maintain and monitor employee sick leave and vacation records in automated timekeeping system (TimeClockPlus)
• Verify leave of absence salary calculations and absence postings
• Run queries to maintain attendance files
• Process paperwork to replace lost warrants; generate hand-issued warrants and cancellations
• Acquire knowledge of and administer state, county and federal regulations, district policies and procedures, all employee groups negotiation agreements/working condition documents, andannual changes pertaining to salaries and benefits
• Acquire knowledge of salary codes and use as needed
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding salaries, deductions and benefits and tactfully address complaints and make payroll adjustments as needed
• Regular and on-time attendance required
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications:

• High School education or equivalent
• Three years payroll experience

Skills & Competencies:

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Above average proficiency in typing, data entry and 10-key by touch with accuracy; excellent test battery; high math aptitude; skill in performing detailed numerical computations
• Computer proficiency to include use of basic software applications (Word, Excel, Access, etc); knowledge and experience with mainframe computers and iVisions and TimeClockPlus
• Ability to organize, prioritize and meet deadlines with an accurate attention to detail while working with frequent interruptions and minimum supervision
• Ability to perform high-volume detailed work with accuracy, to assume responsibility, to independently make sound fact-based decisions for daily tasks; to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written) and to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with district personnel and outside agencies

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Primarily works in an office within the school district administration building or finance department
• Regularly interacts with school staff, administrators, vendors, and financial institutions
• Often works with strict deadlines for budgeting, payroll, and financial reporting
• Occasional travel to schools within the district for audits, training, or financial reviews.
• Prolonged use of a computer and office equipment
• May need to lift or carry financial reports, binders, or office supplies (typically under 25 pounds)

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $21.01 Per Hour

Job Categories: Support Staff > Accounting/Bookkeeping

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required