Deputy Finance Director - PEHP

About The Company

Utah Retirement Systems provides benefits for state and other Utah Public employees through the work of two divisions. The Retirement Office administers pension and retirement benefits. PEHP Health & Benefits specializes in medical, dental, life, and other benefits. We take pride in providing a peace of mind for thousands of Utah families. We are committed to our public mission and maintaining a positive team environment. We offer a competitive salary, and our benefits far exceed what most modern employers offer.

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

Performs a variety of administrative, managerial, and professional technical duties related to planning, organizing, and controlling the financial reporting and the general accounting functions of Utah Retirement Systems and PEHP.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

 

Financial Operations & Planning

• Assists the CFO in developing and implementing financial strategies, policies, procedures, goals, and objectives.
• Oversees day‑to‑day financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and the general ledger.
• Assists in financial reporting, internal controls, tax reporting, and account reconciliations.
• Supports budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes to achieve financial targets across all organizational divisions.
• Analyzes financial data and performance metrics to provide insights, identify trends, and recommend improvements.

 

Financial Reporting

• Prepares complex annual and quarterly financial statements and ensures compliance with GAAP, GASB, and other authoritative standards.
• Ensures all required financial statements meet applicable regulatory and accounting standards, including GFOA requirements when applicable.
• Participates in internal and external audits and coordinates with auditors to ensure accurate and timely completion.

 

Leadership & Team Development

• Ensures team deadlines and responsibilities are met.
• Develops and mentors team members, sets goals, and creates a collaborative team environment.
• Participates in recruitment, employee development, evaluation, and discipline as needed.

 

Strategic, Technical, and Operational Responsibilities

• Applies strategic planning principles to support division goals.
• Ensures accuracy of accounting systems and fund balances; performs reconciliations and reviews.
• Assists in managing investment accounting, fair value reporting, and required disclosures, as applicable.
• Collaborates on the design, implementation, and updating of accounting systems; serves as a finance subject matter expert for enterprise‑wide system updates.
• Builds strong relationships with internal stakeholders to support financial needs and strategic initiatives.
• Prepares and presents financial information to executive leadership, boards, or other stakeholders as needed.
• Prepares and presents budgetary and other financial information to the Retirement Board and other key stakeholders, as a backup to the CFO.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Maintains strict confidentiality.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Experience

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, business management, public administration, or a related field; and seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in financial management or accounting, which includes two (2) years in a supervisory or managerial capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

 

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is strongly preferred.

 

Master’s Degree in accounting, finance, or MBA is preferred.

 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

This list contains knowledge, skills, and abilities that are typically associated with the job. It is not all-inclusive and may vary from position to position:

 

Required extensive knowledge of:

• Professional accounting standards and ethics.
• Generally accepted accounting principles established by American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and GASB.
• Internal control principles and methods of application.
• Federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to tax reporting, pension, and deferred compensation funds.
• Budgetary principles.

 

Required technical skills include the extensive knowledge and ability of:

• Microsoft Office Suite.
• Purchasing/payment software.
• Enterprise Planning systems (e.g. IBM Planning Analytics) preferred.
• Internet browser software.
• Database software programs.

 

Required mathematical skills include the ability to:

• Comprehend and apply principles of advanced modern algebra.
• Understand and use statistical and quantitative techniques, variance analysis, and forecasting methods.
• Comprehend and apply descriptive analytics (historical transaction analysis, dashboards, and key performance indicators).
• Understand and use key business ratios (profitability, funding ratio, return on investment, cash flow management, collections, and operating efficiency).

 

Must possess excellent communication skills:

• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Business and technical writing.
• Present on complex topics to top management, public groups, and boards.

Must have the ability to:

• Analyze a variety of financial problems and make recommendations.
• Read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents.
• Respond to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Read, analyze, understand, and implement AICPA and GASB accounting standards and other authoritative pronouncements and guidelines.
• Coordinate a variety of financial administrative matters between executives and department heads.
• Apply generally accepted accounting principles in financial reporting.
• Prepare and implement budgets.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with executives, administrators, managers, boards, department heads, employees, and the public.
• Plan, organize, direct, and supervise the work of subordinates.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.
• Prioritize work.
• Perform within deadlines.
• Work well in a team environment as well as independently.
• Multi-task by handling a variety of duties in a timely and efficient manner.
• Follow through with assignments.
• Deal effectively with stress caused by workload and time deadlines.

The incumbent must always demonstrate judgment, high integrity, and personal values consistent with the values of URS.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Incumbent performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Tasks require a variety of physical activities which do not generally involve muscular strain, but do require physical activities related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, and seeing. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity required to perform essential functions. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, discriminating thinking and problem solving.

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:  As a requirement of this position, the employee will submit to the URS Investment Compliance Officer a record of trade confirmations or monthly transaction summaries, as they become available, of all security transactions (excluding mutual funds), in any account under the employee’s control and direction, or under the control and direction of the employee’s spouse.

 

Position requires occasional travel for office business. Individual must be physically capable of safely operating a vehicle, possess a valid driver’s license, and have an acceptable driving record based upon data provided by a current Department of Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).