ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST

*ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST*

Lake Havasu City, AZ

Closing Date:  5/5/2026

Job Title: ACCOUNTING & PAYROLL SPECIALIST

OC26-291

Opening Date: 4/21/2026

Salary: $23.89 – $34.64

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt      

Grade:  CP7                                                                    

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking a detail-oriented professional to perform intermediate technical work in accounting, budgeting, and payroll administration. This role is vital in maintaining the integrity of the City's financial records, ensuring accurate citywide payroll processing, and providing high-level administrative support to the Finance Division.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Payroll Administration: Process citywide payroll, including taxes, electronic file transfers, and reporting. Maintain and reconcile complex payroll records.
• Financial Reporting & Reconciliations: Prepare bank statements, journal entries, and financial schedules. Reconcile daily cash receipts and general ledger activity.
• Treasury & Banking: Handle specialized bank software tasks such as positive pay and vendor payments. Manage the City procurement card program.
• Audit & Compliance: Assist external auditors with City and State audits. Interpret sales tax laws to calculate excise taxes.
• Operational Support: Maintain specialized databases (grants, capital assets, etc.), coordinate month-end closes, and serve as a liaison for vendors and agencies.
• Staff Development: Provide technical advice and cross-training to departmental staff on complex accounting issues.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Associate degree with coursework in Accounting, Finance, Payroll, or a related field.
• Experience: Considerable experience in accounting principles and payroll processing. Public sector experience is highly preferred.
• License: Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License of the appropriate class.
• Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge and skills may be considered.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Technical Expertise: Thorough understanding of payroll systems, federal/state/local regulations, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Analytical Skill: Ability to perform complex arithmetic computations and provide thorough financial analysis.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to resolve concerns with staff and communicate effectively with auditors and the public.
• Discretion: Ability to handle and maintain sensitive, confidential information.
• Adaptability: Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under strict deadlines.

WORKING CONDITIONS & SPECIAL NOTES

• Schedule: Standard business hours; however, this position may require non-standard hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and callbacks as needed.
• Environment: Primary work is performed in a professional office setting.
• Physical Demands: Requires sitting for extended periods, repetitive motions, and the ability to occasionally lift up to 10 lbs.
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To View the Detailed Job Description, Click Here

Lake Havasu City offers an exceptional benefits package for full-time (FTE) employees: 

• Employer-provided Medical/Rx (EPO or HSP)
• Dental/Vision
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account/Health Savings Account
• Employer-Provided Basic Life Insurance
• Optional Additional Life Insurance
• Optional Insurance-Critical Illness, Hospitalization, Indemnity
• 11 Paid Holidays Annually
• Bereavement Leave
• Paid Vacation 
• Short Term Disability 
• Long Term Disability
• Opportunities for advancement
• Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Optional Deferred Compensation
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Service Awards

Additional Comments

Lake Havasu City is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. 

The City reserves the right to consider only the most highly qualified applicants. The succeeding examination processes may be required: training and experience, testing, panel interview, employment eligibility verification (EEV) requirements, personnel evaluation profile (PEP), polygraph test, background investigation, and alcohol/drug screening test. Lake Havasu City complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Department of Transportation Drug Testing Program. Drug and alcohol testing is conducted under the authority of City policy and the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991. Appointment is subject to a successful background investigation and City paid post-employment medical examination after an offer of employment has been made.

Applicants for employment opportunities should be aware of the Lake Havasu City policies 

concerning the use of drugs and alcohol. These policies have not been altered by the passage of Proposition 207. The use of recreational marijuana is a violation of the City's Drug-Free Workplace Policy. All positions within the city are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test. A positive result for drugs tested under the policy, including recreational marijuana, may be grounds for withdrawal of an offer of employment.