Accounting Technician

Job Description:

Accounting Technician

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN

Please note that this position will be filled as limited-term.

Limited-term positions are funded for a specific duration-this assignment is estimated to last approximately three (3) years. While limited in funding, incumbents appointed to limited-term roles receive the same benefits as regular employees and are considered County employees for purposes of internal transfers and promotional opportunities. All limited-term positions are subject to the same probationary period as regular-status positions within the same classification.

This position is open to the public. The application period will open on July 15, 2025, and close at the end of the day on July 21, 2025.

THE OPPORTUNITY
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.

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 $24 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

CORE COMPETENCIES
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

Three years experience in the maintenance and review of fiscal, financial or statistical records.

Or

Two years experience as an Accounting Specialist with the County of Orange in an equivalent position. Candidates must have a minimum of six months experience in an office setting. Experience beyond the six months minimum may be substituted by education as described below.

Education Substitution: 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.

Please click here to view the minimum qualifications and education substitution criteria.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Quality assurance/audit experience

• 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, 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 may be required for some assignments
• Basic electronic data processing applications may be required for some assignments
• 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

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
OCERS Human Resource Department screens all application and supplemental information materials to identify qualified candidates. Applications submitted without completed supplemental information form 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.

ELIGIBLE LIST
After all the selection procedures have been completed, OCERS Human Resources department will establish an eligible list of qualified candidates.

HOW TO APPLY

• Only on-line 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 on-line at the OCERS Website: https://www.ocers.org/careers-ocers
• For specific information pertaining to this recruitment please contact Sarah Abrahamson at (714) 569-4818 or e-mail sabrahamson@ocers.org
• Do not submit your resume to this email address as it will not be considered in lieu of the required application process

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account. NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocers.org." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

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.

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.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 7/21/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$53,705.60 - $72,051.20 Annually