Accounting Specialist 2

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.
Accounting Specialist 2
Job Location:
FINANCE AND ADMIN SERVICES
3003 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012
Posting Details
Salary: $22.2117 HRLY/$46,200.34 Salary
Grade: 18
Closing Date: March 26, 2026
Job Summary
Under the general supervision of the Accounting Supervisor, this position performs advanced accounts payable functions to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payment of departmental obligations. The Accounts Payable Specialist is responsible for executing the full AP cycle, including three‑way matching, invoice validation, vendor communication, and issue resolution. This role works closely with Procurement, Budget, and Business Operations to maintain strong internal controls and support efficient financial operations.
Job Duties

Perform three-way match review by verifying purchase orders, receiving documentation, and vendor invoices for accuracy, compliance, and proper authorization prior to payment.
Review, validate, and process invoices and payment requests within the Arizona Procurement Portal (APP) and the Arizona Financial Information System (AFIS), ensuring adherence to State of Arizona policies, regulations, and accounting standards.
Collaborate with Procurement, Field Operations, and Budget teams to resolve discrepancies related to purchase orders, contract terms, goods/services received, or funding availability.
Monitor and reconcile accounts payable vendor accounts, ensuring proper application of payments, vendor credits, and adjustments.
Research payment history, outstanding balances, and transaction activity; independently resolve vendor billing disputes and respond to vendor inquiries in a timely, professional manner.
Maintain and update Accounts Payable tracking tools, including Excel spreadsheets, shared reports, and reconciliations used jointly by Procurement, Budget, and AP.
Ensure accurate recordkeeping and documentation to support audits, reporting requirements, and internal control activities.
Identify process improvement opportunities in AP workflow, documentation, and cross‑functional coordination to promote efficiency and compliance.
Other duties as assigned as related to the position.
Knowledge Of
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Economic and accounting principles, financial reporting practices, and the analysis of financial data
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the principles, concepts, and methods of governmental accounting
Internal control concepts, fiscal management practices, and compliance requirements
Automated financial systems and ERP workflows, including invoice processing, purchase order management, and payment lifecycle tracking
Federal regulations, Arizona Revised Statutes, and agency policies and manuals governing financial transactions
State of Arizona and DCS travel policies and related reimbursement requirements
End-to-end accounts payable processing, including invoice validation, payment batching, and error resolution
Purchase requisitions, purchase orders, receiving documentation, and related procurement workflows Three-way matching methodologies and common exception scenarios
Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and related office software tools used for analysis, documentation, and communication
Skills In

Operating standard office equipment and effectively using personal computers and financial software
Communicating clearly and professionally in both written and verbal formats
Applying mathematical concepts to validate invoice accuracy, reconcile accounts, and resolve discrepancies
Managing time effectively, prioritizing multiple tasks, and balancing competing deadlines
Analyzing, interpreting, and communicating financial data to identify issues, support decision-making, and ensure accuracy
Using Excel for financial tracking, reconciliation, and data management, including sorting, filtering, and basic formula use
Ability To

Prioritize, organize, and manage workload in an environment with changing demands
Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve accounts payable and procurement-related issues
Work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail
Perform effectively under pressure and consistently meet deadlines
Interpret and apply DCS policies, procedures, and relevant state regulations
Provide responsive, professional customer service to both internal staff and external vendors
Plan, analyze, and establish work priorities to meet operational requirements
Correctly apply state and agency travel rules in processing reimbursements
Selective Preference(s)
N/A
Pre-Employment Requirements
High school diploma, GED; and
2+ years of work experience in related field
Must be able to secure and maintain clearance from the DCS Central Registry.
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 Verification Program (E-Verify).
Benefits
The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
10 paid holidays per year
Vacation time accrued at 4:00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
Sick time accrued at 3:42 hours bi-weekly
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans
By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.
Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page
Retirement
Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.
Contact Us
Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 602-255-3141 or by email at ADA@AZDCS.GOV. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Should you have any further questions regarding the interview process you can reach out to a member of our recruitment team at 602-255-2903 or by email at recruiting@azdcs.gov. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.