Address: 5000 W Carefree Highway Phoenix AZ

Hiring hourly range: $26.90 - $28.50

Grade: 20

Closing Date: 01/25/2026

ACCOUNTANT 2
Payroll Accountant
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION / BUSINESS ACCOUNTING BRANCH / PHOENIX AZ BASED
FLSA- Non-Exempt / SALARY GRADE 20 (hiring range $26.90 - $28.50)
CLOSING DATE: 01/25/2026

The Payroll Accountant prepares examines and analyzes payroll accounting records from automated financial systems in order to retrieve and review data files analyze complex information perform reconciliations track expenses and the reimbursements of funds necessary to access accuracy completeness and conformance to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and other reporting and procedural standards. This position continually surveys operations to ascertain accounting needs and recommends develops or maintains solutions to business and financial problems. This position works under minimal supervision of a Payroll Manager.

Major duties include:

- Review Bi-weekly payroll entries: Perform quality control on all time record entries in automated financial systems for completeness accuracy and compliance with State policies for both time and labor distribution.

- Use automated financial systems and databases for the creation of queries and ad hoc
reports for the quality control analysis of input verification. Process payroll entries review and make any necessary corrections donated annual leave uniform allowance entries and enter manual warrants. Process payroll adjustments to hours and labor distribution.

- Recurring Payroll tasks: Set up standard time records for the calculation of retroactive pay for individual employees process leave payouts and enter separation payments when an employee leaves State of Arizona employment. Complete and submit all required R.A.S.L. forms for qualifying separating employees.

- Examine verify make recommendations regarding time entries in the automated financial system and provide assistance to all levels of Department employees on technical issues relating to time reporting through the automated financial system.

- Provide Biweekly Payroll expense reports process transactions needed to clear Payroll errors transfers and adjustments. Process payroll corrections biweekly. Prepare financial reports for Management as requested.

- Travel Claims & Employee Reimbursements: Review prepare gather missing information and process all travel claims and employee reimbursements in the automated financial system for all Department employees and Commissioners.

- Performs other duties as assigned

The candidate must have knowledge in/of: state Personnel Reform rules regulations policies and procedures relating to payroll. Extensive knowledge of State travel policies rules regulations and procedures. Extensive knowledge of Agency travel policies rules regulations and procedures. Extensive knowledge of Agency policies and procedures related to payroll. Extensive knowledge of automated financial systems. Considerable knowledge of federal regulations and new state laws statutes and regulations policy and procedures pertinent to payroll processing. Considerable knowledge of the methods and techniques of processing payroll in automated financial systems. Comprehensive knowledge of the principles concepts practices and methods of fiscal management Knowledge of employee benefits. Knowledge of State Human Resources practices and procedures. Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Knowledge of financial records maintenance and retention.

Candidates will be skilled in: time management organizational and prioritization skills to meet daily deadlines. Strong analytical skills to interpret payroll and fiscal data. Strong research and data compilation skills to resolve technical problems. Strong problem-solving skills - Variable situations requiring analytical interpretive evaluative and/or constructive thinking within broadly defined policies and objectives. Strong oral and written communication skills including active listening and team building skills. Strong mathematical calculation and logic reasoning. Work technique skills using PC to maintain payroll/accounting records through automated payroll system and the State Accounting system. Strong Software skills: Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

The candidate must have the ability to operate office equipment. Maintain confidentiality at the highest degree. Provide positive and effective customer service to a variety of internal and external customers. Work independently and multi-task. Use discretion and independent judgment. Respond to others with tact diplomacy and patience; and maintain harmonious working relationships with all levels of Department staff and external customers. Possess a good eye for detail accuracy and reconciliation. Be proactive and work well under pressure.

The candidate must have a Bachelors degree in accounting/business or a closely related field and one year of accounting/payroll/bookkeeping work experience.

Position requires possession of and the ability to retain a current valid state-issued drivers license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to drivers license record checks must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R.12.).

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:Drivers License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance deferred compensation plans and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona please visit our benefits page

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Milani Barron at for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.