Strategic Services Assistant Director

This position is being re-advertised. Those who have previously applied are still being considered and do not need to reapply.

The CalSTRS Enterprise Risk Management & Compliance Services Division is seeking a motivated individual to work as a Financial Accountant IV on the Strategic Services Team.

The Strategic Services (SS) team provides ongoing maintenance and support, reconciling interfaces from internal and external sources, and managing the implementation of system and process enhancements and modifications to ensure the accuracy of accounting activity and financial reporting produced by the system(s).

Under the general direction of the Enterprise Risk Manager (ERM) & Compliance Services (CS) Director, the Financial Account IV operating as the Strategies Services Assistant Director of the Strategic Services (SS) unit, manages and performs responsibilities for the most critically sensitive, complex and specialized workload performed in the SS unit. The incumbent actively supports the Financial Services Branch (FSB) in accounting related financial systems support and developing and delivery of strategies that lead to successful accomplishment of CalSTRS strategic plan goals and initiatives. The unit provides highly complex and sensitive financial, investment, and pension accounting systems support for CalSTRS Enterprise Resource Planning system, an SAP solution internally called BusinessDirect (BD) (along with its subsidiary modules). The FA IV directs staff in developing innovative solutions for the branch, including support of change management and training activities. Under the direction of the ERM & CS Director, the FA IV is responsible for supervising and directing professional financial accountants and staff in the SS unit, as well as for directly supporting some of the most complex and unique financial accounting areas, using technology and acting as a liaison between the FSB business units and various Information Technology (IT) units. This includes design of business process improvements, system modifications, and procedure development pertaining to the various financial systems and processes.

In order to partner with, and adequately support the rest of FSB, the FA IV utilizes skills, abilities and knowledge of system functionalities (including integrations and configuration), fiscal operational structures, cross-functional impacts, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), investment accounting, tax reporting, research analysis and project management best practices to provide exceptional service to the business areas supported by the SS team. The FA IV ensures the accuracy of the financial and investment accounting results generated by the system, as the risk of error can be substantial with respect to CalSTRS accounting records, operational efficiency, effectiveness, and financial reporting.

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

• Strong project management experience or proven ability to lead, monitor and measure the completion of multiple projects
• The ability to solve problems, promote new ideas and develop new approaches to achieve established vision and strategies
• Ability to take initiative and work independently
• Training, supervision, and management experience
• Knowledge of Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) for financial reporting and investment reviews for public pension funds
• Valid Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license or other certifications such as, Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) preferred
• Ability to prepare and present technical information in a format suitable for management/board reporting.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills

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.