Fiscal Analyst

Overview

The Judicial Council of California (JCC) supports California’s court system, the largest in the nation, serving a population of more than 39.5 million people, about 12 percent of the total U.S. population. Our mission includes a commitment to providing fair and equal access to justice for all Californians.

The Judicial Council of California is accepting applications for the position of Fiscal Analyst for the General Ledger & Reports unit in the Branch Accounting and Procurement office.

This Fiscal Analyst position provides analysis, direction, guidance, maintenance, and oversight for trial court financial operations. The General Ledger & Reports unit reviews and guides trial courts, including proper recording and reporting of expenses, revenues, reimbursements, grant activities, special funds, and payroll financial transactions. This position also reviews and processes trial court budgets and all budget adjustments/modifications throughout the year. This position works independently with limited supervision and regularly collaborates with the Phoenix purchasing, payroll, accounts payable, trust and treasury, grants, and budget services units, and has daily contact with court staff, including financial managers. 

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 on Wednesdays at the Judicial Council’s San Francisco or Sacramento office and reside in the areas surrounding these locations. Beginning January 2025, employees will work in the office at least two days per week.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, review, record, and reconcile court financial transactions. Analyze and review financial-related legislation and draft necessary reports and recommendations. Review guidelines, policies, and procedures to ensure uniformity of accounting. 
• Assist trial courts in reviewing and posting their financial data into the accounting system. Provide recommendations, changes, revisions, and approvals.
• Prepare ad hoc financial reports using spreadsheets and financial report generators. Maintain consistent cash flow analyses for trial courts, including grant-related funding. Prepare and assist in preparing monthly, quarterly, and year-end reports. Report on financial projections on spending patterns, cash flow, and fund balances.
• Review, upload, monitor, revise, and make recommendations for trial court annual budgets. Analyze budget vs. actuals reports for accuracy and the status of budget allocations.
• Train trial court personnel on new procedures, changes in reporting, and analysis tools in the accounting software, both in person and remotely. 
• Meet with trial court and TCAS personnel to clarify policies and procedures, answer questions, and give recommendations on financial matters. Present financial information clearly and concisely.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attend training sessions for professional development (annually).

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 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’s of business administration, or master’s degree in a directly related field for the assigned discipline such as finance or accountancy. 

OR

Two years as an Associate Fiscal Analyst, in the assigned field, with the Judicial Council of California or two 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:

• Interpreting, applying, and explaining applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
• Reviewing complex financial documents including, but not limited to, contracts and agreements for compliance and formulating accounting rules.
• Researching, compiling, reviewing, analyzing, calculating, summarizing, and synthesizing financial information.
• Providing customer service and consultation.
• Delivering effective written communication.
• Possessing advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly related to Excel.

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 is Open Until Filled and 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 5:00 P.M. on December 4, 2024.

To complete the online application, please click on 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 Device for the Deaf (415) 865-4272.

Pay and Benefits

$7,294 - $10,942 per month

(Starting salary will be $7,294 per month)

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. Your answers should not exceed a total of three pages.

1. Describe your technical skills and experience with complex accounting functions, general ledger, accounting, account analysis, and preparing financial reports, as well as your experience with governmental fund accounting. If you do not have governmental fund accounting, please describe your accounting experience.
2. Please describe a complex accounting issue that you had to resolve. What was the issue? And what steps did you take to resolve the issue? What tools did you use? What was the outcome?