Trust Operations Analyst

First American; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k

PTO / Paid leave

Medical benefits

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

First American Trust seeks a Trust Operations Specialist to perform complex trust accounting and day-to-day operations in a highly regulated banking environment. You will ensure accuracy of cash processing, settlement activity, and ledgers while guiding junior staff and improving processes.

The role emphasizes back-office finance, compliance, and collaboration with audits, with exposure to reconciliations, disbursements, and trust accounting controls. Excellent attention to detail is essential.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in a Bank Trust department or at a Trust company in an operations role.
• Experience working with trust accounting systems and trust-related transactions.
• Strong understanding of trust operations, account reconciliations, settlements, cash processing, and general ledger controls.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Ability to identify, research, and resolve complex operational issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead or subject matter expert for the department or function providing backup support in all. Functional areas within the department
• Performs complex accounting functions related to trust accounts including cash receipts, cash disbursements, income collection, trade settlement and control of the trust accounting system.
• Performs monthly certifications (audits) of critical general ledger and other accounts. Identifies discrepancies for management to review and correct.
• Inputs accounting entries; prepares and balances/reconciles daily blotter to the trust accounting system, balances and processes checks;
• Reviews and processes reject items; receives, distributes and files related documents.
• Troubleshoots problems. Ensures data integrity including daily back-up and prepares the systems for transmission of daily data and activity.
• Prepares, controls, and processes complex disbursements; income; note and other liability payments; and trust fees to and from trust accounts ensuring accuracy and timeliness of transactions in accordance with established procedures.
• Processes settlement instructions and settles funds for assigned accounts in accordance with instructions. Answers questions for less experienced employees; helps resolve problems; and provides resources and information.
• Works on special projects assigned by the department manager.
• Assists in creation and monitoring of all procedures.

Skills

Microsoft Excel

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

High School Diploma

Tools

Trust accounting systems

Job description

Who We Are

Join a team that puts its People First! As a member of the First American family of companies, First American Trust is a federal savings bank that has provided banking, wealth management, and trust solutions on a national, full-service basis for more than five decades. Since 1889, First American (NYSE: FAF) has held an unwavering belief in its people. They are passionate about what they do, and we are equally passionate about fostering an environment where all feel welcome, supported, and empowered to be innovative and reach their full potential. Our inclusive, people-first culture has earned our company numerous accolades, including being named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for eleven consecutive years. We have also earned awards as a best place to work for women, diversity and LGBTQ+ employees, and have been included on more than 50 regional best places to work lists. First American will always strive to be a great place to work, for all. For more information, please visit www.careers.firstam.com.

What We Do

This role is responsible for performing complex trust operations and accounting activities, including account reconciliations, cash processing, trade settlements, disbursements, and trust account maintenance. Serving as a key resource for the team, the Trust Operations Specialist ensures the accuracy and integrity of transactions, supports audits and process improvements, provides guidance to less experienced staff, and helps maintain efficient day-to-day trust operations within a highly regulated environment.

What You’ll Do

• Lead or subject matter expert for the department or function providing backup support in all. Functional areas within the department
• Performs complex accounting functions related to trust accounts including cash receipts, cash disbursements, income collection, trade settlement and control of the trust accounting system.
• Performs monthly certifications (audits) of critical general ledger and other accounts. Identifies discrepancies for management to review and correct.
• Inputs accounting entries; prepares and balances/reconciles daily blotter to the trust accounting system, balances and processes checks;
• Reviews and processes reject items; receives, distributes and files related documents.
• Troubleshoots problems. Ensures data integrity including daily back-up and prepares the systems for transmission of daily data and activity.
• Prepares, controls, and processes complex disbursements; income; note and other liability payments; and trust fees to and from trust accounts ensuring accuracy and timeliness of transactions in accordance with established procedures.
• Processes settlement instructions and settles funds for assigned accounts in accordance with instructions. Answers questions for less experienced employees; helps resolve problems; and provides resources and information.
• Works on special projects assigned by the department manager.
• Assists in creation and monitoring of all procedures.

What You’ll Bring

• High School Diploma required. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience preferred.
• 4+years in a Bank Trust department or at a Trust company in an operations role.
• Experience working with trust accounting systems and trust-related transactions.
• Strong understanding of trust operations, account reconciliations, settlements, cash processing, and general ledger controls.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, research, and resolve complex operational issues.
• Strong analytical, organization, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy in a deadline-driven environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to provide guidance and training to less experienced team members.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and exercise sound judgment in decision-making.
• Note that the following statements only apply to candidates who will be working from an unincorporated area within Los Angeles County. ** First American will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws (e.g., the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act). First American intends to conduct a review of an applicant’s criminal history in connection with a conditional offer. First American reasonably believes that a criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following material job duties for this position potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment: handling of confidential, proprietary or trade secret information belonging to First American or its customers, administrating or facilitating financial transactions, and the ability to meet customer-imposed criminal history requirements.

What We Offer

By choice, we don’t simply accept individuality – we embrace it, we support it, and we thrive on it! Our People First culture is inclusive for all employees - not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it's the key to our success. We are proud to foster an authentic and inclusive workplace For All. You are free and encouraged to bring your entire, unique self to work. First American is an equal opportunity employer in every sense of the term.

Based on eligibility, First American offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, PTO/paid sick leave and other great benefits like an employee stock purchase plan.

Pay Range: $26.88 - $35.83 Hourly

This hiring range is a reasonable estimate of the base pay range for this position at the time of posting. Pay is based on a number of factors which may include job-related knowledge, skills, experience, business requirements and geographic location.