Accounting Technician
OCERS is seeking an Accounting Technician for the Member Services Division. This role requires independent judgment, discretion, and strong decision-making skills. The position involves interpreting and applying policies and regulations, as well as integrating technical knowledge with effective communication and interpersonal skills. The Accounting Technician reports to the Member Services Supervisor.
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 $24 billion dollar fund.
OCERS' mission is to provide secure retirement and disability benefits with the highest standards of excellence. OCERS' vision is to be a trusted partner providing premier pension administration, distinguished by consistent, quality member experiences and prudent financial stewardship. OCERS values include: Open and Transparent, Commitment to Superior Service, Engaged and Dedicated Workforce, Reliable and Accurate, Secure and Sustainable.
The ideal candidate will possess the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with peers, supervisors, managers, government officials, and the public. In addition, the candidate must be able to work independently and possess excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as the ability to think logically and organize thoughts and priorities to accomplish tasks in an efficient and timely manner. The individual may perform in a lead role over lower level or peer positions and must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle multiple competing tasks and deadlines. The ideal candidate will also possess intermediate to advanced computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Access.
The candidate must exhibit demonstrated experience in all the key competencies noted below:
- Customer Service: Interact in a professional and courteous manner with a variety of individuals at all organizational levels; Anticipate and meet customer needs; Establish productive relationships with internal and external customers.
- Technical Skills: Perform complex calculations using the MS Office Suite; Detail oriented with a high level of accuracy; Ability to work independently.
- Communication Skills: Value and participate in a free flow of information with others for the sake of a common goal; Ability to keep self and others informed while demonstrating courtesy and respect at all times; Clearly communicate policies, regulations, and guidelines; Ability to present complex and technical information to diverse groups of individuals.
- Analytical Skills: Ability to interpret policies, regulations, and guidelines; Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality; Ability to exercise critical thinking skills when auditing member payroll and benefit records.
Minimum qualifications include three years of experience in the maintenance and review of fiscal, financial, or statistical records. Alternatively, two years of experience as an Accounting Specialist with the County of Orange in an equivalent position with a minimum of six months experience in an office setting may be substituted. Education may be substituted for experience on the following basis: One year of experience in the maintenance and review of fiscal, financial, or statistical records may be substituted by completion of 12 semester or 18 quarter units in accounting, business math, bookkeeping, or a closely related field. Possession of an Associate in Arts degree or an Accounting Certificate which represents completion of all required course work in an accounting curriculum may substitute for the required experience, with the exception of the required six months experience in an office setting.
Desirable qualifications include quality assurance/audit experience and experience in County Employees Retirement Law (CERL) organizations, Complex Service Credit Audits, Service Purchase Contract calculations, Non-Service Credit Purchases (NSCPs) or Counseling to members, Reciprocity Eligibility Determination, and Knowledge of Retirement Plans. Ability to interpret MOUs/employment contracts as applied to benefits administration and reciprocity.
Knowledge of specific County accounting systems, procedures, regulations, and source documents in the area of assignment and the interrelationships of internal and external recordkeeping systems; Government accounting methods; Modern practices, procedures, techniques, and terminology related to the processing and recording of accounting transactions; Basic principles of business mathematics and financial/accounting recordkeeping methods; County accounting systems and procedures, including expenditure, revenue, general ledger, and related accounting procedures; Accounting and auditing methodology, terminology, and standards; Laws, rules, regulations, and practices/procedures related to payroll, including specialized FLSA requirements for safety positions and operation of automated payroll systems; Basic electronic data processing applications; Legal requirements of County contracts, agreements, minute orders, and resolutions.
Ability to understand the relationships among accounting or statistical records and documents; understand transactions in terms of accounting codes and classifications; determine proper accounting codes and classifications for transactions; Perform a wide variety of difficult and responsible financial/accounting duties including specialized or technical/complex duties; maintain and monitor control totals for primary accounting records; Review, audit, and correct accounting documents prepared in other departments and act as the final review; Review and verify claims against the County and process them for payment; Review and consolidate records from several sources and summarize and assimilate into reports and other accounting documents; Recognize errors and problems and research a variety of sources to determine appropriate corrective action; independently resolve problems; reconcile differences within the recordkeeping system using mathematical skills and understanding of the recordkeeping system and related transactions; recognize and correct computational errors; Prepare accurate financial/accounting reports and complicated accounting schedules; Communicate effectively by phone or in person with the public and staff in other agencies/departments in an advisory role, including difficult contacts requiring the incumbent to explain complex accounting systems or procedures to others or requiring the resolution of problems; Interpret complex and/or varied source documents, laws, regulations, and procedures and apply these to varied or difficult circumstances; explain complex regulations and procedures to others; Understand and interpret the principles, laws, and procedures involved in the bookkeeping and auditing functions; Gather and analyze a variety of financial data and draw logical conclusions; Operate a typewriter and/or automated equipment may be required for some assignments; Use a County-approved means of transportation may be required for some assignments.
OCERS Human Resource Department screens all application and supplemental information materials to identify qualified candidates. Applications submitted without completed supplemental information will be disqualified from further consideration. After screening, candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All candidates will be notified via email of their status in the process. Examination (AAP) (Refer/Non-Refer) Applicants who meet desired qualifications will be invited to participate in one or more job-related examinations. Applicants will be notified of their exam date. Only the most successful candidates will be referred to the next step in the process. Qualifications Appraisal Panel (QAP) Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidate's 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. After all the selection procedures have been completed, OCERS Human Resources department will establish an eligible list of qualified candidates.
To apply, only online applications with the completed supplemental questions will be accepted. E-mail 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. You may apply online at the OCERS Website: For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Sarah Abrahamson at (714) 569-4818 or e-mail Do not submit your resume to this email address as it will not be considered in lieu of the required application process.