Finance Staff Analyst

WHO WE ARE
Established in 1945, the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) provides retirement, death, disability, and cost-of-living benefits to retirees of the County of Orange and certain County districts. Serving approximately 55,000 members, OCERS is governed by a ten-member Board of Retirement that is responsible for managing a $30 billion dollar fund. For more information about OCERS, please click here.

Mission
OCERS' mission is to provide secure retirement and disability benefits with the highest standards of excellence.

Vision
OCERS' vision is to be a trusted partner providing premier pension administration, distinguished by consistent, quality member experiences and prudent financial stewardship.

Values

• Open and Transparent

• Commitment to Superior Service

• Engaged and Dedicated Workforce

• Reliable and Accurate

• Secure and Sustainable

• Analyze, reconcile, and summarize complex financial data related to cash management, investment holdings, management and performance fees, security lending activity, and other investment-related transactions.
• Participate in the annual external audit including researching, reconciling and interacting with external auditors, custodian bank, investment managers, and multiple departments.
• Assist in the preparation of investment-related disclosures included in the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
• Perform analytical review and reconciliation of retiree payroll and benefit payment activity to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and plan provisions.
• Support monthly and year-end retiree payroll processes including variance analysis, exception resolution, and coordination with internal teams and third-party administrators.
• Identify, design, and implement process improvements and process automation to enhance efficiency, accuracy, data integrity and internal controls across finance operations.
• Use available reporting, automation tools, data analysis, and AI-enabled technologies to streamline journal entry preparation, reconciliations, reporting, data validation, and exception detection.
• Develop and maintain standardized procedures, documentation, and workflows that support scalability, knowledge transfer, and risk reduction.
• Participate in system implementations, upgrades, and integrations related to financial, payroll, and reporting systems.
• Participate in special projects for the resolution of complex issues regarding the operations and management of OCERS.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff at all levels, custodial bank, investment managers, and other third-party vendors.
• Ability to train and/or supervise team members on OCERS finance-related processes.
• Perform work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet strict deadlines with minimal supervision.

• A valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to arrange necessary and timely transportation for field travel 
• May be required to use personal vehicle
• Successful candidates must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, including a Live Scan fingerprint screening.
• Highly Desirable: A Current Certified Public Account (CPA) license

• Accounting and auditing principles, theories and procedures applicable to the control of various accounting systems.
• Federal, State, and local financial reporting requirements, including the CERL of 1937.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements, Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), and other governmental accounting principles and practices, including GASB Statement No.’s 40, 53 and 72.
• Investment accounting concepts, custodial banking functions, and retirement system operations.
• Retiree payroll and benefit payment processes, internal controls, and audit requirements.
• Internal control frameworks, process documentation, risk mitigation practices.
• Financial systems, reporting applications, data analysis tools, and emerging technologies applicable to finance operations and financial reporting.
• Methods used to organize, validate, analyze, and present financial information for accounting, reporting and finance purposes.
• Telephone, office and online etiquette.

• Work independently under little or no supervision while completing a large volume of work and managing competing priorities and strict timelines to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Finance department.
• Demonstrate professional level experience in presenting ideas and complex financial material clearly, concisely, and logically both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate integrity when applying accounting principles and practices, dealing with large amounts of money and funding, ensuring the validity and acceptance of accounting and financial data, and resolving accounting discrepancies.
• Identify and define actual and potential issues or concerns pertaining to the accuracy and integrity of accounting and financial data, use sound and logical judgment, and make effective decisions to develop resolutions.
• Use advanced Excel functions, financial systems, reporting tools, automation features, and AI-enabled technologies to support financial analysis, reporting, reconciliations, and process improvement. 
• Analyze financial information to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls. 
• Adapt to and effectively use new systems, tools, technologies, and reporting requirements to support evolving Finance operations.
• Read, understand and interpret complex technical accounting information and complex Federal and State governmental regulations.
• Prepare, interpret and evaluate a variety of narrative and statistical data and reports.
• Communicate effectively in English orally and in writing with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures, and backgrounds.
• Establish and maintain cohesive working relationships with public officials, vendors, supervisors, directors, technical and non-technical staff, consultants and others encountered in the course of work.
• Train and supervise staff on financial processes as needed.
• Demonstrate strict confidentiality, professionalism, integrity, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations at all times.
• Use standard office equipment such as: computer, printer, scanner, photocopier, and calculator.

• Speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably in person, over the telephone and in small groups.
• Vision sufficient to read fine print, and a computer monitor.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms, and shoulders repetitively to operate a telephone, keyboard, write and use a calculator.
• Mental stamina to interact professionally with members of the Board of Retirement, Employers, peers, and members.
• Independent body mobility, agility, and stamina to stand, walk, stoop, bend, and twist, to access a standard office environment.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time.

• The primary workplace is in a hybrid remote/office environment, working with standard office equipment both in the office and remotely.
• Peripheral office equipment generates a quiet to moderate noise level.
• Operates in an environment that includes elected officials, non-elected officials, government agencies, community interest groups and the general public in the development and coordination of OCERS affairs.
• Out of area travel may be required to attend professional conferences, due diligence, and meetings.

RECRUITMENT PROCEDURE
Application Screening | (Refer/Non-Refer)

OCERS Human Resources Department will screen all applications and supplemental responses to identify qualified candidates. Applications submitted without a completed supplemental information form will be disqualified from further consideration. After screening, the more qualified candidates will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process and notified of all further procedures applicable to their application status.
 

Applications Appraisal Panel (AAP) | Application Rating (Refer/Non-Refer)
A panel of job knowledge experts will screen and evaluate all application materials for job knowledge, competencies, and related education and experience as described above. Please be thorough in your responses to supplemental questions as each will be evaluated and rated accordingly. Additionally, please be thorough in aligning your education and work experience to the competencies and qualifications listed in this bulletin. Clarity of expression, grammar, spelling and ability to follow instructions will also be considered in the evaluation. This is a competitive process and only the more qualified candidates will be referred to the next step.

Qualifications Appraisal Panel (QAP)
(Weighted 100%) Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job.
 
Based on OCERS' needs and the number of applications received, the selection procedures listed above may be modified and all affected candidates will be notified.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Please note, the information provided in your application may be shared internally within OCERS to evaluate your qualifications for potential opportunities in other teams or departments.

HOW TO APPLY

Only online applications with the completed supplemental questions will be accepted. Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is on your application and only use one email account.

Your application should highlight all of the areas in which you have developed expertise, matching your professional experience with the specific qualifications listed above.