Trust Accountant (Fiscal Analyst)

Overview

The Branch Accounting and Procurement office is accepting applications for a Fiscal Analyst. This Fiscal Analyst position provides analysis, direction, guidance, maintenance, and oversight for trial court financial operations. This position provides a full range of trust accounting services, including reviewing cash reports, processing and posting the accounting of deposits and disbursements, electronic funds transfers, and all other daily banking transactions for the courts. This position reviews the courts’ fiduciary fund trial balances, reconciles the trust liability and receivable accounts, and prepares monthly interest allocations to the courts’ accounts. This position works independently with limited supervision and regularly collaborates with other Trust Accounting unit staff in resolving daily discrepancies or reconciliation variances and assists in developing and making recommendations designed to improve trust accounting processes and procedures.

The Judicial Council
The Judicial Council of California is the policy setting body for the state court system and has constitutionally conferred statewide rule-making authority. This authority includes developing, advocating for, and allocating the judicial branch budget. A majority of Council members are California state justices and judges; however, the Council also includes lawyers, legislators, and court administrators.

By enhancing its role as a leadership, knowledge, and service resource for the judicial branch, the Judicial Council’s staff organization seeks to continue to evolve as one of California’s most dynamic public service entities, focused on improving access to justice for all Californians by innovating and responding to the changing needs of the courts and the public. As a government body charged with improving the statewide administration of justice, the Judicial Council has multiple offices with diverse responsibilities relating to court policy and operations. As employees of the council, every member of staff should view and approach their work as one Judicial Council with a public service mission that is greater than the sum of its parts.

The Judicial Council strives for work life balance and includes substantial vacation and holiday time. In addition, we offer an excellent benefits package including pension, medical, dental, and vision coverage, flexible spending, up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs, and retirement savings plans. In San Francisco, the office is only a 7-minute walk from the downtown Civic Center BART station. In Sacramento, the office is located minutes from downtown, just north of Discovery Park.

The Judicial Council offers hybrid work arrangements for many positions. The successful candidate will be expected to work in person at the Judicial Council’s San Francisco or Sacramento office at least two days per week, based on their office leader’s direction, and reside in the area surrounding this location. To be eligible for Judicial Council employment and participation in the Judicial Council’s Hybrid Work Program, a prospective or current employee’s primary residence/remote work location must be in the State of California and within a 150-mile driving radius of their assigned reporting location.

Responsibilities

• Review, research, and reconcile the court fiduciary fund trial balances in the SAP Phoenix System. Analyze court accounts to ensure they are accurately recorded and identify any irregularities or needed corrections before the month is closed.
• Review Daily Cash Reports for accuracy, notify other units when certain transactions occur, make corrections as necessary, and research/identify any unusual activity.
• Assist court and Trust Accounting staff as necessary. Determine the best way to help courts and Trust Accounting staff resolve daily issues.
• Review and process deposits and disbursements. Determine the appropriate Phoenix transaction and process for each type of deposit and disbursement submitted by the court.
• Prepare monthly reports and interest allocations. Analyze and validate data collected for correctness and completeness prior to preparing the reports. Prepare Internal Revenue Service Form 1099-INT Statements.
• Review and process Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and Automated Clearing House (ACH) Requests. Ensure all EFT Requests are completed timely, are accurate, and processed as requested by the courts.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:
• Periodically, provide input and feedback on trust projects as needed.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and making recommendations designed to improve trust accounting processes and procedures.
• Crosstrain and provide back-up support for certain Treasury Unit tasks as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, including providing analytical and technical support to other units to meet operational priorities.
• Provide cross-training and operational support to other BAP TCAS units when necessary to address workload surges, staff vacancies, or high-priority judicial council requests.
• Attend meetings as needed.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business, finance, accounting, or a directly related field, and three 
(3) years of professional experience in accounting, finance, budgetary, or contract administration. An 
additional four (4) years of professional experience in the assigned function as noted above may 
substitute for the bachelor’s degree. Or, additional directly related experience and/or education may 
be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

OR

Juris doctor, Master of Business Administration, or master’s degree in a directly related field for the 
assigned disciplines such as finance or accountancy.

OR

Two (2) years as an Associate Fiscal Analyst in the assigned field with the Judicial Council of 
California or two (2) years of experience performing the duties of a class comparable in the level of 
responsibility to that of an Associate Fiscal Analyst in a California superior court or California state-level government entity.

Desirable Qualifications:
• Demonstrated ability to interpret, apply, and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and financial standards.
• Expertise in reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting complex financial documents, including court orders, agreements, and accounting rules.
• Advanced knowledge of GAAP and Trial Court Financial Policies and Procedures, with experience in monitoring compliance across multiple transactions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including reconciling aged items, identifying trends, and providing actionable recommendations.
• Proven ability to develop, update, and document financial procedures and workflow improvements, including automation and process enhancements.
• Experience preparing, reviewing, and reconciling financial documents and statements with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Skilled in planning, developing, and delivering training or guidance to staff, including mentoring less experienced or lower-level team members.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including being capable of coordinating multiple tasks to meet deadlines while managing competing priorities.
• Advanced technical proficiency in: 
A. Microsoft Excel: pivot tables, complex formulas, macros, data modeling, and scenario analysis. 
B. Power BI: designing interactive dashboards and reports to inform and support management decision-making. 
C. SharePoint: document management, workflow automation, and team collaboration.
D. PowerPoint: creating clear and professional presentations to communicate financial analysis and insights.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, maintaining effective relationships with colleagues, leadership, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, exercise discretion, and take initiative in solving complex fiscal issues.

Other Information

Please note, if you are selected for hire, verification of employment authorization to work in the United States will be required.

How To Apply

This position requires the submission of our official application, responses to the supplemental questions, and a resume. To ensure consideration of your application for the earliest round of interviews, please apply by 5:00P.M. on February 5, 2026. However, this position will remain open until filled.

To complete the online application, please click the Apply for Job button.

The Judicial Council provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities who request such accommodation. Reasonable accommodation needs should be requested through Human Resources at (415) 865-4260. Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is available by dialing 711. Once connected, provide the relay operator with the number for Human Resources: 415-865-4260.

Pay and Benefits

$7,513 - $11,270 per month

Please note due to statewide fiscal conditions, the posted salary range is subject to a temporary 3% reduction. In exchange for this reduction, judicial branch employees accrue an additional 5 hours of paid personal leave per month through June 30, 2027.

Some highlights of our benefits package include:
• Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year
• Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave
• 1 personal holiday per year
• Up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs
• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• FlexElect Program
• Pretax Parking
• Long Term Disability Program (employee paid/optional)
• Group Legal Plan (employee paid/optional)

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Judicial Council of California Is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Supplemental Questions

To better assess the qualifications of each applicant, we will review your responses to the following questions. Please indicate for which employer you performed these functions. Your answers should not exceed a total of three pages.

1. Describe a specific example where you analyzed complex financial data to ensure accuracy, compliance with applicable laws, policies, or accounting standards, and timely resolution of discrepancies. In your response, include: 
A. The type of financial documents or transactions reviewed.
B. How you identified irregularities, aged items, or compliance issues 
C. The analytical tools or methods you used (including Excel, if applicable) 
D. The outcome, including improvements to accuracy, controls, or compliance.

2. Describe a situation where you used technology to improve a financial process, workflow, or internal control. In your response, explain: 
A. The problem or inefficiency being addressed 
B. The tools used (e.g., advanced Excel, SharePoint, workflow automation, data modeling) 
C. How the solution improved efficiency, accuracy, or consistency 
D. Your role in designing, implementing, or documenting the improvement Please indicate the employer for which this work was performed.