Senior Accountant, Investments Contributions And Benefits

Aston Carter•Baltimore, MD

1d•$43 - $46•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Accountant, Investments Contributions and Benefits performs a blend of routine and complex accounting activities that require deep systems knowledge, sound independent judgment, and the ability to respond effectively to evolving business needs. This role oversees activities across multiple benefit-related accounts, analyzes historical and current data, and prepares expense projections and operational forecasts. The Sr. Accountant supports the annual external audit and quarterly trustee reporting, produces both routine and ad hoc reports, and leads accounting projects from concept through completion. The position works closely with Human Resources Benefits Operations staff and third-party service providers, including actuaries and plan administrators, and provides guidance to less experienced accounting staff while fostering strong collaboration across the organization.

Requirements

General ledger accounting experience, including preparation and review of journal entries and account reconciliations.
Experience with benefits audit or benefit-related accounting activities.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to review complex financial data, projections, and valuation reports.
Ability to collaborate effectively with peers, colleagues, and staff across departments.
Ability to prioritize work and manage conflicting demands to ensure projects and deadlines are met.
Proactive approach to identifying issues, proposing solutions, and driving process improvements.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships.
Excellent customer service skills, with a focus on responsiveness, accuracy, and professionalism.
Advanced Excel experience, including proficiency with advanced functions.
Strong PowerPoint experience for preparing presentations and meeting materials.
Proficiency in Word and various software applications, including spreadsheets, relational databases, statistical and graphic packages, to assemble, manipulate, and format data and reports.
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a related field required.
Three years of progressively responsible related work experience required when the Bachelor’s degree is in a related field.
Four years of progressively responsible related work experience required if the Bachelor’s degree is in an unrelated field.
Ability to exercise independent judgment in complex accounting situations and ensure proper GAAP accounting and reporting.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting is strongly preferred.
Prior auditing experience and/or benefit plan accounting experience is preferred.
CPA license or active CPA candidacy is preferred.
SAP experience is preferred, particularly in reviewing and reconciling SAP accounts and modules.
Experience working with actuaries and third-party administrators or vendors on valuation reports and benefit-related projects.
Experience preparing financial statements for Health & Welfare, Defined Benefit, and Defined Contribution plans.
Experience supporting external audits and preparing materials for finance and audit committees.
Experience with various software applications such as spreadsheets, relational databases, statistical tools, and graphic packages to compile and present financial information.
Additional education may substitute for required experience to the extent permitted by institutional equivalency guidelines.

Responsibilities

Prepare and review annual financial statements for various Health & Welfare (HW), Defined Benefit (DB), and Defined Contribution (DC) plans.
Prepare accounting entries and reconciliations related to HW, DB, and DC plans and a variety of fringe benefit-related accounts.
Review internal controls, policies, and procedures of the Benefits Operation Center related to the administration of benefit plans and recommend improvements as needed.
Collaborate closely with actuaries and third-party administrators or vendors on valuation reports and special projects.
Review actuarial projections, valuation reports and underlying data, and year-end disclosure reports for inclusion in the organization’s annual audited financial statements.
Stay current on upcoming regulatory, legislative, and accounting changes and communicate the impact of such changes to management in a clear and timely manner.
Assist in the preparation of the organization’s annual audited financial statements and unaudited quarterly GAAP financial statements.
Assist in preparing materials for quarterly Trustee Finance and Audit Committee meetings and other governance or stakeholder meetings.
Review and analyze significant accounting transactions to ensure proper GAAP accounting and reporting treatment.
Perform daily accounting functions, including reviewing divisional journal entries to ensure accurate posting in SAP.
Prepare reconciliations of various SAP accounts and modules to maintain accurate and reliable financial records.
Provide excellent customer service to divisions, departments, and faculty by responding promptly, accurately, and professionally to financial inquiries.
Lead and mentor staff accountants, providing direction on accounting issues and supporting their professional development.
Generate routine and ad hoc reports and lead accounting projects from concept through implementation.
Support the annual external audit and quarterly trustee reporting by providing schedules, analyses, and documentation as requested.
Perform other accounting and finance duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.