Pension Accounting Manager

The City of Milwaukee•Milwaukee, WI

13d

About The Position

The Pension Accounting Manager performs complex accounting activities for the Employes’ Retirement System (ERS), reviewing, validating, and reconciling financial data from different accounting and management systems. The role oversees investment accounting and monthly earnings, reviews general ledger entries, and prepares and reviews financial reports and disclosures. The manager prepares the comprehensive annual financials and serves as the primary contact for external auditors during annual financial statement audits. The position coordinates year-end information with the system’s actuary, supports the annual actuarial valuation, leads year-end close activities, and maintains permanent records and electronic custodial portfolio reports. The role directs, mentors, and trains the pension accounting specialist, benefit services coordinator, and fiscal services assistant. It assigns work, sets priorities and deadlines, reviews staff deliverables, and coordinates with other City departments on unclaimed property benefits and outside earnings requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting from an accredited college or university; no substitution is allowed for this degree requirement.
Five years of progressively responsible experience in accounting or finance, including one year of accounting or finance supervisory experience.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered, subject to the non-substitutable bachelor’s degree requirement.
Advanced knowledge of modern governmental accounting theory, principles, and practices, including GASB and GAAP.
Knowledge of accounting principles and familiarity with automated and manual accounting processes.
Knowledge of data processing and experience with automation products and software applications.
Ability to scrutinize detailed, high-dollar-volume accounting transactions and ensure they are properly balanced and reflect changes during the accounting period.
Ability to review and validate calculations and reconcile accounting data from different accounting and management information systems.
Ability to produce timely annual financial statements and other compliance reports.
Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex rules and regulations.
Proficiency with standard computer software and programs, including word processing, spreadsheets, financial software systems, and databases.
Knowledge of management principles and practices.
Ability to encourage positive cross-departmental operations, work independently, and support and mentor staff.
Ability to assign duties, set performance standards, and monitor work in progress.
Ability to foster a collaborative team environment and promote compliance with City policies and ethical standards.
Verbal communication skills to express ideas clearly and represent the department positively in multiple forums.
Written communication skills to prepare clear and concise reports, data analysis, letters, and memos.
Ability to maintain professional, courteous, and effective working relationships with managers, staff, direct reports, and outside parties.
Ability to work cooperatively and fairly with people whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
Ability to think critically and analytically, analyze and resolve issues, and exercise sound judgment.
Ability to plan, organize, initiate, prioritize, and complete work promptly, within deadlines, and with limited supervision.
Attention to detail and ability to produce accurate work.
Honesty, integrity, ability to maintain confidentiality, and ability to serve as an effective steward of City resources.

Nice To Haves

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation or candidacy.
Master’s degree in business administration.

Responsibilities

Accumulate, calculate, post, balance, and reconcile data for specific investments; investigate and resolve discrepancies involving trust company records according to established procedures and accounting principles.
Coordinate reconciliation of amounts posted to the general ledger through the Merits System.
Oversee preparation and balancing of monthly investment earnings.
Review general ledger journal entries for the ERS accounting system (ACCPAC Sage 300).
Prepare comprehensive annual financial statements and serve as the primary contact for external auditors during annual financial statement audits.
Coordinate year-end information with the system’s actuary, support the annual actuarial valuation, and provide quality control.
Lead year-end close activities by assigning responsibilities, setting deadlines, and guiding staff to deliver reconciliations, financial reporting, audit schedules, and actuarial data on time.
Produce and review reports for accuracy and completeness.
Prepare required reports for management, the ERS Board, staff, and members.
Report financial reporting disclosures to all plan sponsors.
Maintain permanent records of ERS financial and accounting transactions, including source documentation.
Maintain electronic copies of pension trust portfolio reports and custodial records.
Direct, mentor, and train the pension accounting specialist, benefit services coordinator, and fiscal services assistant; assign work, set priorities, and ensure deliverables are accurate and timely.
Review staff work, including reconciliations and contribution postings.
Oversee the unclaimed property benefits process with other City departments.
Coordinate outside earnings and requirements and document responsibilities and procedures.