Pension Accountant

Job Description and Duties

Anticipated Interview Dates: We anticipate holding in-person interviews beginning the week of October 5, 2026.

Our Financial Reporting Accounting Services/Pension Valuation Accounting Unit is currently seeking a Financial Accountant I, Specialist to perform complex reconciliations and produce financial statements for our Annual Comprehensive Financial Report all while driving our CalPERS mission.

Do you enjoy solving complex financial challenges, improving business processes, and collaborating with others? Are you looking for a challenging opportunity to apply your knowledge of financial reporting and excellent analytical skills while supporting critical financial activities and accounting system operations? We’re seeking someone with strong Excel expertise and excellent communication skills to join our team. If this sounds like the kind of work that motivates you, we invite you to become part of our team.

Telework Information: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with up to two days of remote work and three days or more onsite, per week.

Sponsorship:  This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. CalPERS does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

Effective July 1, 2025, The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.

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Working Conditions

• May be required to sit for extended periods of time.
• May be required to travel between buildings.
• Low-wall, cubicle environment with LED lighting.
• Must be able to work Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Special Requirements

Statement of Qualifications

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 questions below will not be considered.

The SOQ must be typed, titled “Statement of Qualifications,” and each response must list all relevant experience, education, and training, including duties performed. The SOQ must not exceed two pages in length.

1. Describe your knowledge and experience analyzing, researching, reconciling, and reporting general ledger and fund financial data. Please include the type of financial data, timing of reconciliations and reports, and accounting systems used. Please include any knowledge and experience of risk pooling.
2. Describe your experience in developing financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and implementing new Governmental/Financial Accounting standards.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Effective communication in both verbal and written formats, with a strong ability to perform under pressure in fast paced, multitasking environments.
• Knowledge of governmental accounting, pension accounting, and financial reporting standards.
• Experience driving process improvements and implementing system enhancements to increase efficiency and accuracy.
• Skilled in complex reconciliations and financial analysis projects from planning through execution.

Benefits

CalPERS team members are eligible for a number of benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most team members. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and collective bargaining agreements.

Some added benefits CalPERS offers include:

• 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

For more details about employee benefits, visit the California Department of Human Resources website.

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.

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - In addition to completing your online job application, you must provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Please see the Special Requirements section for instructions and questions for the SOQ. Applications received without an SOQ will not be considered. We ask that you not use Artificial Intelligence assistance when composing your written response. Written responses are an attempt to assess and gain an understanding of your personal writing and communication skills and abilities.