Accounting Specialist

Job Duties:

• Member Inquiry & Debt Resolution: Researching complex member inquiries received via ServiceNow tickets, emails, and phone calls to clearly explain outstanding benefit premium debts, clarifying the specific state and federal business rules that resulted in those balances.
• Accounts Receivable & Collections Management: Reviewing and monitoring aging accounts receivable reports to track unpaid member benefit debts, performing proactive collection activities by contacting members directly to secure overdue payments.
• Documentation & Escalation: Preparing comprehensive, accurate documentation for outstanding accounts to facilitate further resolution and legal collection efforts by the internal accounting office and the Attorney General’s Office.
• Eligibility & Premium Auditing: Utilizing multiple state computer systems to verify insurance coverage eligibility, reviewing and calculating complex benefit premium transactions, and applying standard accounting principles to recalculate and correct billing discrepancies.
• Systems & Partner Collaboration: Troubleshooting and resolving billing and accounting issues using the AZ360 system alongside external resources and state partners, including ASRS, PSPRS, CORP, ASU, UofA, and NAU.
• Training & Outreach: Providing training, instruction, and guidance to support staff and lower-level employees, while actively participating in public relations and educational activities such as employer visits, informational workshops, and training sessions.
• Special Projects & Process Improvement: Contributing to key divisional initiatives, including the development of annual Open Enrollment materials, participating in Lean process improvement projects, and assisting in the modernization of internal office policies and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Applicable State statutes, State Personnel Rules, agency policies and procedures.
• State and Federal insurance contract requirements.
• Basic accounting and auditing procedures.
• Office management and some database management.

Skills in:

• Effective verbal and written communication skills necessary to provide clear and detailed information in response to a broad variety of requests for information.
• Good organizational skills and the ability to make effective oral presentations to groups for the purpose of presenting benefit education programs.
• Interpersonal skills sufficient to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Adapting to continual changing circumstances.

Ability to:

• Utilize various computer applications.
• Analyze, interpret and apply laws, rules and regulations applicable to the system.

Selective Preference(s):

• One year level accounting experience plus Bachelor’s degree
• Prior Benefits experience, including the understanding of insurance programs, call center operations, knowledge of the HRIS system, and understanding of Benefits office policies and procedures
• Familiar with the State of Arizona Accounting Manual (SAAM.)

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Background and reference check, including state and federal criminal records fingerprint check
• High school diploma, GED

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 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

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 here

Retirement:

• Participation in ASRS Lifetime Benefit Pension Plan after 26 weeks of employment.

Contact Us:

• If you have any questions please feel free to contact Christopher Langseth at christopher.langseth@azdoa.gov for assistance.
• The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.