Finance Staff Analyst

Finance Staff Analyst

Salary

$94,531.00 - $137,069.00 Annually

Location

2223 E. Wellington Ave. Suite #100 Santa Ana, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

8035MR-0926-157(O)

Department

Orange County Employees Retirement System

Opening Date

09/29/2026

Closing Date

10/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Max Number of Applicants

300

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

CAREER DESCRIPTION

FINANCE STAFF ANALYST

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.

PERFORMANCE ATTRIBUTES

Include but are not limited to the following:

• 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum qualifications required for entry into the classification

Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited university or college with a Bachelors 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.

Special Notes, Licenses or Requirements

• 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

Please click here for additional information about the Finance Staff Analyst classification.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities necessary to perform essential duties of the position include:

Knowledge of:

• 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.

Skills/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.
• 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.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that are customarily required to successfully perform the essential functions of this class.

Physical and Mental Demands

• 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.

Environmental Conditions

• 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.

BENEFITS:

OCERS offers a competitive benefits package that includes a choice of several health plans, annual leave, and paid holidays. Additionally, OCERS has a defined benefit pension plan which has reciprocity with the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and a deferred compensation 457 plan. OCERS offers up to an annual $10,000 Educational and Professional Reimbursement, a $3,500 taxable optional benefit plan, and a flexible/hybrid work schedule.

For additional information and details about the OCERS pension and benefits offered, please click here.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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.

Spark Hire Interview

Referred candidates will be required to complete a one-way pre-screening interview on the Spark Hire video interview platform. In this process, candidates will record their responses to a set of structured questions. Subject matter experts will then evaluate these video interviews to determine if candidates qualify for the next phase of the selection process.

Qualifications Appraisal Panel (QAP)

(Weighted 100%) Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidates rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidates 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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

EEO INFORMATION

OCERS, as an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Administrative Management Benefits

Administrative Management employees enjoy a comprehensive selection of enhanced benefits, including:

• Retirement: Participation in the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS), a defined benefit pension plan. Learn more about OCERS plans and pension benefits here: OCERS Active Member Information.

• Optional Benefit Plan (OBP): An annual amount of $3,500, which may be received in the form of lump sum payment (taxable) or other available benefit choices.

• Paid Leave

• 12 paid holidays per year

• Accrued annual leave

• Health & Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts: Flexible spending accounts to help cover eligible medical and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Dental Insurance: Provided to team members and eligible dependents at no cost.

• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance: $100,000 AD&D coverage, with the option to purchase additional coverage including dependent coverage.

• Disability Insurance: Short-term and long-term disability insurance programs are provided at no cost to employees.

• 457 Defined Contribution Program: Voluntary retirement savings program with tax-deferred contributions.

• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $10,000 maximum annually.

For a complete overview of our benefits, please visit the OCERS Benefits Page.

01

You are required to provide full and complete responses to all supplemental questions. Responses will be used as a rating device - incomplete answers will result in a lower rating. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the supplemental questions. By selecting Yes, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this requirement.

• Yes
• No

02

Describe your experience with preparing annual or quarterly financial statements, investment disclosures, and/or a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the related financial audit by an independent auditing firm. In your response, include details of your specific roles and responsibilities in both the preparation of the reports and the audit process.

03

Describe your experience using advanced Excel functions, business intelligence tools, reporting applications, or other data analysis technologies to work with financial data. Identify the tools you used, the specific functions or methods you applied, and how you checked the accuracy and completeness of your work. Provide one example of a process or report you improved using these tools.

04

Describe your experience performing complex financial or investment-related data analysis and preparing reports used to support management decision-making. In your response, include the types of data analyzed, your role in the process, and how your analysis was used.

05

As a public agency committed to transparency and ethical conduct, OCERS requires candidates to disclose any outside business activities. Are you currently engaged in any outside business activities? (Select one)

• Yes
• No

06

If you answered "Yes" to the above question, please provide a brief description of the outside business activity, including the nature of the business and your role or involvement.

07

I certify that all statements made in this Supplemental Questionnaire are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any false statement(s) of material facts or omissions may subject me to disqualification.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer County of Orange

Address 400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE

Santa Ana, California, 92701

Phone 714-834-2555

Website https://hrs.oc.gov