The Employee Benefits Manager is responsible for the management of the processes for all assurance related deliverables, including audited financial statements, various letters and reports to management and third parties, for multiple clients and engagements. Responsibilities extend beyond project management to more engagement in practice management activities, engaging in activities to enhance department or niche economics, developing individual expertise, enhancing overall client service, and developing department or niche professional staff. Managers communicate with clients beyond the course of engagements and are expected to be more of an advisor and bring added value to the relationship.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage the engagement and workflow of all client deliverables for multiple clients and engagements, including audited, reviewed and compiled financial statements, and internal control and management letters, to minimize risk and surprises, optimize engagement economics, satisfy service objectives, and meet internal and external deadlines

• Identify and resolve accounting and audit technical issues impacting the engagement

• Leads the engagement planning process in terms of timing, risk assessment, reliance on internal controls, audit or other engagement approach

• Determine and approve staffing and other resource needs, and related engagement work schedules

• Review engagement work papers and related deliverables to ensure that firm and professional standards are met

• Delegate assignments to supervisors considering their skills, development needs, schedule and engagement economics

• Participate in the peer review process

• Continually build on technical expertise in accounting, financial reporting and audit methods by attending continuing professional education courses or utilizing other training resources

• Conduct or review research of complex or new accounting and financial reporting issues and prepare memorandums to support solutions

• Coordinate and monitor the services provided by other departments and niches

• Keep the partner informed about client updates, engagement and budget to actual status, and technical issues

• In the process of developing at least one area of industry expertise

• Assists in developing fee quotes and budgets

• Preparation of client billings and collection of outstanding accounts

• Utilizes assurance department methodologies, processes and tools to enhance assurance engagement efficiencies and overall client profitability

• Developing into a trusted advisor by being the primary point of contact for client throughout the year to discuss updates in their business, needs and potential solutions, accounting related issues and potential solutions, in addition to engagement management matters

• Knowledgeable about the services and capabilities of partners and other service lines, and seek to identify other services that will benefit the client

• Oversee the preparation of presentations for audit exit and audit committee meetings

• Involvement in the early stages of practice development activities including developing a professional network or referral sources, assisting in proposals, or writing articles for publication and assisting partners in their practice development activities

• Participate in activities to develop and improve firm and department business processes

• Serve as an instructor in firm and department training programs and meetings

• Develop less experienced professionals by providing formal performance feedback, career counseling and mentoring to those below manager

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field

• CPA license

• Minimum 5 years Public Accounting experience, including management of Employee Benefit Plan audit engagements.

• Assurance leadership, guidance or supervisory experience is required

• Advanced understanding of accounting (GAAP) and assurance (GAAS) procedures and standards for Employee Benefit Plans. 

• Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in accounting or related field

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a manager role