Retirement Plans Investment, Senior Associate

At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence.

In today’s fast-changing world, our clients’ needs are increasingly complex, and the services we offer are evolving rapidly to meet them. Our internal Finance function is continually evolving as well. Our global Finance mission is to provide complete, accurate, consistent, timely and insightful financial and operational information and advice that helps build a better working world and achieve our strategic ambitions.

The opportunity

The Senior Associate, Retirement Plan Investment Operations is responsible for supporting the investment management and administrative operation of the firm's qualified and non-qualified retirement plans’ assets. In this position, you will report to the Associate Director, Retirement Plan Investment Operations. You will execute all operational aspects of the Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution retirement plans, including interaction with trustee/custodian, investment managers and the consultant for the plans. You will also interact with various internal departments, including Total Rewards, Global Independence team, Partnership Operations, Actuary and Finance. The scope of the position is US firm-wide and requires a unique mix of qualitative and quantitative skills, and specialty knowledge. In addition, you will have the opportunity to learn about the Institutional Investment process.

Your key responsibilities include

• Work directly with the Trustee/Custodian for the Defined Benefit Plan, Defined Contribution Plan and the Rabbi Trust including preparing directives, reconciling of monthly asset statements, and managing day-to-day issues.
• Work with EY Independence to ensure all investments are in compliance with Independence joint investing considerations and Independence reporting requirements. Prepare and ensure accurate and timely BRIDGE submission for all potential investment managers and service providers to the plans.
• Learn about and become responsible for investment manager compliance with Investment Management Agreements (IMA’s). Creating a process that ensuring receipt and review of all investment related documentation including but not limited Form ADV updates, security lending utilization, Errors & Omissions insurance coverage, fidelity bond coverage, SSAE 16/SOC 1, K1 reporting, proxy voting policies and votes, etc.
• Work with Associate Director in developing, formalizing and refining best in class operating policies, procedures and protocols.
• Interact and liaise as needed with various internal departments, such as General Counsel Office, Partnership Operation, Total Rewards, Global Independence, the Actuarial team and Finance.  Also supports Partnership Operation in providing investment-related information to US partners/principals (active and retired). 
• Work with Total Rewards and Partnership Operation to keep track of liquidity requirements of the retirement plans.
• Familiar with ERISA standards and internal and external audit requirements for Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plans.  (Including Form 5500, audited financial statements (Statement of Net Assets and Statement of Changes in Net Assets, internal Independence audit). 

Skills and attributes for success

• Experienced self-starter and results-oriented individual with strong track record of providing insights to management.

• Familiar with Benefit Plan accounting, Form 5500 and directives pertaining to the with Trustees/Custodians.
• Demonstrated capacity to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to effectively collaborate and establish strong, effective working relationships.
• Possess intellectual curiosity; strong interest and willingness to learn the Operational aspects of the Institutional investment markets. Intellectual enthusiasm to learn the management of a broad range of asset classes.
• Oriented to continuous process and productivity improvement.

To qualify for the role, you must have

• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or equivalent experience
• 3-5 years experience in accounting, finance industry  
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Strong communication skills, including written and verbal
• Ability to collaborate with internal teams and professionals at all levels
• Good analytical skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

What we look for

Experienced finance professionals who are trusted business advisors with a passion for providing exceptional client service to their stakeholders while maintaining high levels of financial management. Technical competence and the ability to build strong and effective relationships will be key.