Accountant III - Payroll

Pima County•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

OPEN UNTIL FILLED Job Type: Classified Job Classification: 5244 - Accountant III - Central Services Salary Grade: 15 Pay Range Hiring Range: $69,908 - $83,886 Annually Pay Range: $69,908 - $97,864 Annually Range Explanation: 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. The first review of applications will be on 2/6 /2026. The Pima County Finance and Risk Management department is seeking a detail-oriented individual with strong communication skills to join our payroll team! In this role, you will help process biweekly payroll for nearly 7,000 employees, ensuring compliance with Federal and State laws and county personnel policies. Responsibilities include: Auditing electronic timecards Managing pension plans Handling quarterly taxes and W-2s Providing excellent customer service to employees This position offers the opportunity for alternative work schedules, providing greater flexibility to support work-life balance. If you have the skills and experience to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply today! Essential Functions: As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor. Prepares and maintains financial statements, supporting schedules, and reports in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and relevant regulations; Monitors and reconciles general ledger accounts, ensuring accurate recording and reporting of financial transactions; Analyzes and monitors cash flow, revenue, and expenditure trends to provide recommendations for maintaining financial stability and operational efficiency; Reviews and analyzes financial data to identify discrepancies, prepare adjusting entries, and ensure compliance with County policies and procedures; Manages financial activities related to grant funding, including monitoring expenditures, ensuring compliance with grant requirements, and preparing financial reports for grant audits; Prepares and maintains documentation to support federal, state, and County audits of grant-funded expenditures, including billing, advances, and correspondence; Provides technical guidance and training to departmental users on the County’s automated financial, accounting, and grants management systems; Oversees the preparation, submission, and archiving of federal, state, and County-mandated financial reports and grant-related documentation; Researches and implements changes in legislation and regulations impacting accounting and grant compliance, ensuring conformity across County operations; Identifies opportunities for process improvement and contributes to the development and implementation of more efficient accounting and grants management procedures; Participates in audits by preparing documentation, supporting schedules, and responding to inquiries, with a focus on grant compliance and financial accuracy.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university, as defined by the department head at the time of recruitment
Two years of professional-level experience in accounting, budgeting, auditing, financial analysis, or financial management
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
Some positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or appointment. Failure to maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination.
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.

Nice To Haves

Minimum three (3) years experience in payroll operations, including but not limited to processing electronic timecards, applying human resource policies to timecards, reviewing and adjusting employee accrual banks, processing 941 returns, processing garnishments, retirements, and employee benefits.
Minimum three (3) years experience utilizing an electronic payroll platform (ADP, Kronos, Workday, etc.).
Minimum two (2) years experience in accounting, budgeting, auditing, financial analysis, or financial management.
Minimum two (2) years experience working on a team while providing customer service.
Minimum two (2) years experience using Outlook, Excel, and Adobe.

Responsibilities

Auditing electronic timecards
Managing pension plans
Handling quarterly taxes and W-2s
Providing excellent customer service to employees
Prepares and maintains financial statements, supporting schedules, and reports in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and relevant regulations
Monitors and reconciles general ledger accounts, ensuring accurate recording and reporting of financial transactions
Analyzes and monitors cash flow, revenue, and expenditure trends to provide recommendations for maintaining financial stability and operational efficiency
Reviews and analyzes financial data to identify discrepancies, prepare adjusting entries, and ensure compliance with County policies and procedures
Manages financial activities related to grant funding, including monitoring expenditures, ensuring compliance with grant requirements, and preparing financial reports for grant audits
Prepares and maintains documentation to support federal, state, and County audits of grant-funded expenditures, including billing, advances, and correspondence
Provides technical guidance and training to departmental users on the County’s automated financial, accounting, and grants management systems
Oversees the preparation, submission, and archiving of federal, state, and County-mandated financial reports and grant-related documentation
Researches and implements changes in legislation and regulations impacting accounting and grant compliance, ensuring conformity across County operations
Identifies opportunities for process improvement and contributes to the development and implementation of more efficient accounting and grants management procedures
Participates in audits by preparing documentation, supporting schedules, and responding to inquiries, with a focus on grant compliance and financial accuracy