Job Description

Job Description and Duties

The CalSTRS Accounting Division is seeking a motivated individual to work as a Financial Accountant II on the Disbursements Team.

The Operational Accounting Division is comprised of three units: Billings and Collections, Disbursements and Taxes, and Contributions. These areas focus on accounting for CalSTRS “cash collection” cycle; “procure to pay” cycle, “disbursement” cycle (specifically timely distribution of retirement checks as well as issuing member refunds), as well as, accounting for contribution activities.

The Disbursements/Pension Accounts Payable Team is responsible for member and beneficiary payments, monitoring and reporting of all pension disbursement activities and providing benefit payment support to the agency. The unit also issues checks, processes reimbursement claims, and reconciles balances for the Emergency Revolving Fund.

Under the general supervision of the Financial Accountant III (FA III), the Financial Accountant II (FA II) manages and oversees the workload of professional accounting staff in the Pension Accounts Payable Operations unit. The FA II is responsible for the leadership and management of the day-to-day operations of pension benefit payments, investment cash flows and funding resources, and disbursements for the Accounting Division. The FA II oversees risk assessments within the areas of responsibility for member benefit payments, member payment distributions, benefit payment fraud, financial transactions, etc. to identify significant risks and compliance issues. Implements and reviews procedures, policies and internal controls to mitigate risks. The FA II must have a comprehensive understanding of pension and investment accounting policies, new legislation, IRS regulations, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and Government Financial Officers Association (GFOA); as well as an understanding of new accounting and financial reporting requirements issued by the GASB, GFOA, and tax law (IRS and FTB) and the impacts on CalSTRS financial reporting.

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

• Training, lead or supervision experience
• Knowledge of US GAAP, specifically Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements pertaining to public pension plans
• Knowledge of government accounting principles and procedures
• Experience utilizing SAP or similar Enterprise Resource Planning software
• Experience working in Pension Accounts Payable or similar Financial Operational Landscape
• Knowledge of or ability to collect, track, and report data
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with all levels of staff and management

Every 12 months, based on performance evaluation, employees may receive a 5% salary increase until they reach the maximum salary for the position.

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025. This program reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits for the duration of the program. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the reduced amounts.

Does this opportunity seem right for you? If so, see the Application Instructions section below and apply now.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

CalSTRS offers a hybrid approach including in-office and remote work solutions based on business needs.

All staff of CalSTRS are employees of the State of California and subject to California employment taxes and withholdings. Upon appointment, staff are required to provide a current California address to CalSTRS Human Resources to be used as a remote work location.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment with CalSTRS.

Special Requirements

Statement of Qualifications

Interested individuals must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in addition to the standard state application (form STD 678). Your SOQ will be considered the first interview for this position. If your qualifications are competitive, you will be invited to an interview.  When completing the SOQ, please include all relevant experience, education, and training, as applicable, and explain all answers thoroughly. Your SOQ should not exceed two pages, single-spaced, 12-point font and address the following questions:

1. Describe your leadership management skills, with an emphasis on establishing goals and objectives and effective resource management, fostering accountability, and achieving measurable and timely results.
2. After reviewing the duty statement, please explain how your prior work experience and/or education correlates to this position.
   

Exam

This position requires a current Financial Accountant II  examination . If you need to take the examination or if your score has expired, click here to gain list eligibility.

CalSTRS Personal Trading Program

Investment Branch employees are required to participate in the CalSTRS Personal Trading Program which allows CalSTRS to monitor employees’ personal trading transactions in order to reduce risks associated with insider trading, front running, and misusing material non-public information. Upon accepting a position within the Investment Branch, you will be required to disclose your personal broker account information and be required to utilize a personal broker from a designated list as provided by CalSTRS.

Background Investigation

Prior to employment with CalSTRS, a background investigation (BI) will be conducted. The BI consists of a  Personal History Statement and fingerprinting through the Department of Justice. The BI will check criminal and civil records and, if applicable, verify education and check driving records.

CalSTRS Disclosure Requirements

This position may be subject to disclosure and disqualification requirements concerning economic conflict of interest in government work, including the  Conflict of Interest Code that applies to CalSTRS team members and the  Political Reform Act , 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) .

Benefits

CalSTRS offers a competitive pay schedule and a work-life-balance for all its employees. The State of California provides comprehensive benefits packages determined by the employee’s bargaining unit and conditions of employment. Some benefits include:

• Alternative work schedules
• Flexible work hours
• Remote work options
• Medical benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance
• Paid holidays and a defined benefit retirement program
• More than four weeks of vacation/sick leave for leaders
• More than three weeks of vacation/sick leave for staff
• Health insurance in retirement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Loan forgiveness under the federal 

For the latest information on the benefits offered by the state of California, explore the Health Benefits Summary provided by CalHR .

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

• Electronic applications through your CalCareer account are highly recommended.  If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail or drop off a hard copy of your application packet. Please provide the following information on your application: 815-280-4192-004, RPA: 0172, JC-492932.
• If education is being used to meet the minimum qualifications, please submit a copy of your transcripts/degree.
• Training and Development (T&D) assignments may be considered for this position. If you are applying as a T&D, please indicate this in the eligibility section of your application.
  
• Candidate may be selected by application packet review only.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.
• Submission of an incomplete STD 678 may result in disqualification. 

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 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 required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications is required. Please see the Special Requirements section of the job posting for detailed instructions.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Work experience placement, Work at office, Remote work, Flexible hours,

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