ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST 1

Arizona Department of Administration • Tucson, AZ

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Economic Security (DES) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join their team as an Accounting Specialist 1. This role is responsible for managing over 1200 individual member accounts that receive federal benefits from various sources, such as Social Security. The position involves corresponding with Social Security, ALTCS, DDD Support Coordination, Qualified Vendors, Guardians, Public Fiduciaries, Parents, Family, and Members. The Accounting Specialist 1 will apply reasonable independent judgment, adhering to Social Security, DES, and ALTCS specific policies and procedures. Key duties include completing and submitting accounting of federal benefits to Social Security, reporting changes such as residence, employment, death, adoption, incarceration, and hospitalization, reporting monthly earnings and account balances, and completing and submitting various documents to Social Security to prevent suspension or termination of federal benefits. The role also involves conducting phone interviews with Social Security for continuous disability benefits or additional benefits, conducting phone interviews for Rep Payee requests, and coordinating the process for disability determination of benefits with support coordinators (SC). This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona, based on business needs and performance. The State of Arizona promotes a work culture of flexibility, autonomy, and trust, with many employees participating in the Remote Work Program.

Requirements

• Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP).
• DDD Services and Social Security Benefits.
• Maintenance of financial accounts and records.
• Summarizing and analyzing large amounts of information and data.
• Reading, understanding, and interpreting complex issues, rules, regulations, and policies.
• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Reconcile accounts with a great deal of detail and accuracy.
• Calculate, analyze, and reconcile data.
• Organize, prioritize, and manage a very heavy workload with short deadlines.
• Possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks if driving is an essential function.
• Successfully pass background and reference checks.
• Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Social Security benefits.
• Twelve (12) semester hours OR one (1) year of accounting experience.

Responsibilities

• Review, analyze, monitor, and maintain accurate individual member accounts, ensuring they do not exceed federal resource limits.
• Establish budgets and set up recurring payments within the monthly benefits received.
• Engage in collection activities and/or recommend contract action to the Office of Licensing, Certification, and Regulation and Quality Assurance on any findings of misuse of members' benefits.
• Approve/deny requests for funds, issue and mail out payments by check.
• Approve/deny monthly expense ledgers and one-time special funds expenditures.
• Review Social Security income and Room/Board billing for variances or discrepancies, and report/request expedient resolution.
• Report delinquent items to Qualified Vendors/Providers for resolution.
• Provide and explain procedure and/or policy on valid use of member funds, submission of monthly expense ledgers, and/or one-time special expenditures.
• Perform data entries and/or upload various information or documents into the Exact Payee program.
• Download ACH deposits, update, and prepare paper deposits.
• Monitor and respond to bank exception reports and upload the daily positive pay report.
• Provide technical support to DES/DDD Support Coordination on using the Exact Payee program, including resetting passwords, unlocking accounts, modifying use, and adding/deleting users.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed