Finance Staff Analyst

County of Orange • Santa Ana, CA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

This recruitment will remain open until Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM, or until the first 300 applications are received, whichever occurs first. 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 THE OPPORTUNITY OCERS is seeking a highly analytical and motivated Finance Staff Analyst to join its Finance team and play a key role in supporting the organization’s fiduciary, operational, and regulatory responsibilities. This is an exciting opportunity for a finance professional to work across investment accounting, financial reporting, retiree payroll, auditing, and financial analysis while helping to advance the use of technology, automation, data analytics, and AI-enabled tools within Finance operations. The ideal candidate is analytical, detail-oriented, and committed to accuracy, integrity, and continuous improvement. This position offers the opportunity to work on complex financial matters, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, and contribute to initiatives that strengthen efficiency, data integrity, transparency, and internal controls across OCERS. Distinguishing Characteristics The Finance Staff Analyst is expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, and system efficiency. This classification is distinguished by its broad scope across investment-related accounting, retiree payroll operations, and enterprise financial reporting, combined with an expectation to proactively identify opportunities to improve data integrity, accuracy, efficiency, transparency, and internal controls. The Finance Staff Analyst serves as a subject-matter contributor and supports the effective use of technology, automation, and continuous process improvement.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited university or college with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business, or closely related field, AND Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in government, public or private industry accounting.
• 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.
• Knowledge of accounting and auditing principles, theories and procedures applicable to the control of various accounting systems.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local financial reporting requirements, including the CERL of 1937.
• Knowledge of 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.
• Knowledge of investment accounting concepts, custodial banking functions, and retirement system operations.
• Knowledge of retiree payroll and benefit payment processes, internal controls, and audit requirements.
• Knowledge of internal control frameworks, process documentation, risk mitigation practices.
• Knowledge of financial systems, reporting applications, data analysis tools, and emerging technologies applicable to finance operations and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of methods used to organize, validate, analyze, and present financial information for accounting, reporting and finance purposes.
• Knowledge of telephone, office and online etiquette.
• Ability to 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.
• Ability to demonstrate professional level experience in presenting ideas and complex financial material clearly, concisely, and logically both orally and in writing.
• Ability to 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.
• Ability to 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.
• Ability to use advanced Excel functions, financial systems, reporting tools, automation features, and AI-enabled technologies to support financial analysis, reporting, reconciliations, and process improvement.
• Ability to analyze financial information to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls.
• Ability to adapt to and effectively use new systems, tools, technologies, and reporting requirements to support evolving Finance operations.
• Ability to read, understand and interpret complex technical accounting information and complex Federal and State governmental regulations.
• Ability to prepare, interpret and evaluate a variety of narrative and statistical data and reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English orally and in writing with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures, and backgrounds.
• Ability to 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.
• Ability to train and supervise staff on financial processes as needed.
• Ability to demonstrate strict confidentiality, professionalism, integrity, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations at all times.
• Ability to use standard office equipment such as: computer, printer, scanner, photocopier, and calculator.

Nice To Haves

• A Current Certified Public Account (CPA) license

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• Choice of several health plans
• Annual leave
• Paid holidays
• Defined benefit pension plan which has reciprocity with the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• Deferred compensation 457 plan
• Up to an annual $10,000 Educational and Professional Reimbursement
• A $3,500 taxable optional benefit plan
• Flexible/hybrid work schedule

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level