What are the responsibilities and job description for the ACCOUNTING OFFICER (SPECIALIST) position at Public Employees Retirement System?
Anticipated Interview Dates: In person interviews are anticipated to be held the week of 5/26/2025.
Telework Information: This position is eligible for hybrid work schedule, with up to two days of remote work and three days or more onsite, per week.
CalPERS seeks an Accounting Officer (Specialist) or Accountant Trainee in the Financial Reporting and Accounting Services Division, Health Accounting section.
Do you have a passion for health? Do you want your work to help make a real difference in peoples’ lives? Do you want to work in a supportive and collaborative team working environment? If yes, please explore this opportunity to join our team in the Financial Reporting and Accounting Services Division, Health Accounting Section. CalPERS Health Benefits contribute to the wellbeing of 1.5 million active and retired members and their families. Our unit tracks and accounts for the health premiums for these members.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Prepare, review, validate, and record approximately $6 billion in medical and pharmacy claims, capitation payments, rebates, subsidies, and administrative expenses and fees to the General Ledger (GL) in the PeopleSoft Financials Accounting System (PSFAS).
- Assist in reconciling monthly financial accounts, to analyze and understand to ensure general ledger account information is accurate, consistent, traceable, and auditable between PSFAS, myCalPERS, accounts maintained by the State Controller’s Office, various databases, and third-party administrator.
- Validate cash deposits in the PSFAS for agencies that contract with CalPERS for health benefits.
- Audit, code, and journalize the daily cash deposit and validate that the general ledger balance matches the deposit reports and/or the electronic funds transfers including but not limited to corresponding general ledger accounts maintained by the State Controller’s Office.
- Participates as the FRAS representative on behalf of Health Accounting on communications to various team members within CalPERS to provide or receive supporting documentation.
- Assists in mid-year and year-end tasks including adjusting/closing entries for the preparation of the annual financial statements and providing required Prepared by Client (PBC) to the external auditor.
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You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.- ACCOUNTING OFFICER (SPECIALIST)
- ACCOUNTANT TRAINEE
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details
CalHR determines pay range. If you are new to state service, you will be placed at the minimum of the pay range.
Shall Consider:
ACCOUNTANT TRAINEE
CalHR determines pay range. If you are new to state service, you will be placed at the minimum of the pay range.
Department Information
If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, CalPERS invites you to apply for this employment opportunity. To find out more about our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, visit our website!
To take a look at CalPERS as a destination employer, view this YouTube video.
Special Requirements
Please provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Applications received without an SOQ or those that do not respond to the specific statements below may not be considered.
The SOQ must be typed, titled “Statement of Qualifications”, and each statement must be numbered and answered listing all relevant experience, education, and training, including places of employment, dates, and duties performed.
The SOQ must not exceed two pages in length and must not have font smaller than 12 point and address the following:
- Please describe your computer competencies as it relates to validating and reporting financial transactions including your proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
- Please describe your experience or abilities to organize large amounts of financial data for reporting and auditing.
- Please describe your organization skills and habits in your daily work.
- Please describe your experience with independently identifying and resolving basic accounting issues.
All experience and education relating to the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) listed on the Classification Specification should be included in your application package to clearly demonstrate how you meet the MQs for this position. If you are using education to meet MQs, please include your transcripts with your application package. If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to job offer. The Classification Specification is located on this Job Posting under "Minimum Requirements."
Please Note: You may need to pass an examination to establish list eligibility prior to a final offer of employment. To find and take an exam, visit CalHR’s CalCareers website.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 5/11/2025Who May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience in validation and reconciliation of financial data in the general ledger utilizing automated accounting system and multiple data sources.
- Technical experience in Microsoft Office applications with an emphasis in Excel.
- Experience in research and coordination with programs/divisions to capture supporting documentation for transactions.
- Experience in identifying and independently resolving basic accounting issues.
- Ability to work well with the team in a busy production-oriented position.
Benefits
Some added benefits CalPERS offers include:
- Alternate Work Schedules
- Flexible Work Hours
- Onsite childcare facility
- Onsite fitness center
- Onsite café and nearby restaurants
- Free onsite parking available Mondays and Fridays, subject to change
- Free offsite parking available with shuttle service Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
CalPERS HRSD, Selection Services
(916) 795-2444
Recruitment@calpers.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:CalPERS EEO
(916) 795-3675
EEO@calpers.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Additional Information
Live Scan
Candidates not currently employed at CalPERS are required to submit to a criminal history review process utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.
CalPERS Disclosure Requirements
If employed, you may be subject to rules imposed by Personal Trading Regulations and Conflict of Interest Code that apply to CalPERS team members, which require disclosure of certain investment information and use of a designated trading platform for securities transactions, as well as filing a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700)
Please do not include any confidential information on any documents in your application package. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include, but is not limited to, your social security number, date of birth, marital status, personal photos, a copy of your driver’s license, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP status.
Sponsorship
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for a visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
