Arizona Department of Education

School Finance Section
Phoenix Location 

Salary: $68,000 - $70,000 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 02/09/25

• The Lead Financial Analyst position will process and validate school district state aid payment, classroom site fund payment, and other complicated manual payments.
• Rarely in-state travel may be required for this position.

The Arizona Department of Education currently utilizes a hybrid work environment, with up to two days of remote work (contingent upon business needs). Candidates should apply with an ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.

• Process monthly school district payments using Access and/or SQL analyze results from the current payment calculations to determine changes; Determine causes for and validate all significant changes; Report findings prior to completion of payments
• Process the district 15-915 request
• Process the Classroom Site Fund (Prop 301) and Instructional Improvement Fund (Prop 202) payments through School Finance payment system
• Analyze each payment using Access, SQL, and Excel
• Provide customer service (phone calls and emails) to the school district/charter district for payment/budget related questions/concerns
• Manually calculate, analyze, distribute various small formula funding payments, such as Certificate of Educational Convenience, Prop 123, and etc.
• Using Access, SQL, and Excel, provide data requested for both internal and external customers, creating new queries and reports as needed for internal and external customer
• Development and maintenance of Desk Manuals
• Preliminary reviewer of all budget reports and federal reporting
• Primary reviewer of charter payment, ADJC & ADOC payment and all manual payments including county jail, county juvenile, small school, and unorganized territory
• Provide training, mentoring, and supporting to payment/budget analyst position

Knowledge in:
• Understanding payment and financial reporting
• Customer service
• Applicants must have finance experience
• A bachelor’s degree in finance, or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree, is required.

Skills in:
• Proficiency in oral and written communication
• Statistical analysis procedures
• Highly detail oriented
• Intermediate to advanced skill in using Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, and SQL
• General computer software skills required (directories, Web browsers, spreadsheets, etc.)
• Ad hoc query analysis

Ability to:
• Ability to explain complex and sometimes confusing statutes
• Write and interpret instructions for computer information systems
• Ability to complete research
• Establish priorities and meet time-lines
• Strong analytical ability

• Preference will be given to those applicants with knowledge of Arizona school finance systems.

Offers are contingent upon successful completion of all background and reference checks, required documents and, if applicable, a post-offer medical/physical evaluation.

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).

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
• Ten paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans

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

You will be required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) upon your 27th week of employment, subject to waiting period. On or shortly after, your first day of employment you will be provided with enrollment instructions and effective date.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 542-3186 or emailing Human.Resources@azed.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.

To submit your resume, click the "APPLY NOW" button below.

Having trouble applying for this position?

Email HRIShelpdesk@azdoa.gov or call (602) 542-4700 for assistance.