ERISA Analyst

Ascensus; Iowa; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascensus’s FuturePlan division seeks a detail-oriented professional to provide correction services to clients through IRS and DOL programs, perform Excel-based calculations, and prepare correction packets. You will deliver consulting, research, and training across plan services, with emphasis on accuracy and regulatory knowledge.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or accounting, and ASPPA designations preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or related field.
• ASPPA designations preferred; not mandatory in all cases.

Responsibilities

• Consulting clients on IRS and DOL corrections, internal processes and procedures.
• Audit, correct, and prepare correction packets for clients.
• Provide in-house and external consulting and perform technical research.
• Develop training presentations and updates to procedures as needed.
• Interpret regulatory guidance and analyze impact on correction products.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Client consulting

Technical research

Training presentations

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/finance

Tools

Salesforce

ARK

AXIS

DOL calculator tool

Job description

FuturePlan is the nation’s largest third-party administrator (TPA) of retirement plans, partnering with advisors in all 50 states. FuturePlan delivers the best of both worlds: high-touch personalized service from local TPAs backed by the strength and security of a large national firm, Ascensus. Our roots go back decades, with nearly 30 outstanding legacy firms now joined together to deliver unmatched levels of service, innovation and expertise to a fast-growing client base from coast to coast. The FuturePlan team includes more than 500 credentialed plan professionals, 60 actuaries, and one of the industry’s largest in-house ERISA teams. Learn more at FuturePlan.com.

Position Summary

• Primary responsibilities include providing correction services to Ascensus and FuturePlan clients through IRS and DOL correction programs, completing Microsoft Excel calculations for clients, audit and deliver correction packets for clients, providing in-house and external consulting to clients, technical research, analysis and special projects as assigned.

Job Functions, Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Consulting - Provide consulting services to internal and external clients on technical corrections issues, IRS and DOL guidance, and internal processes and procedures.
• Proactively adopt, protect and boldly embrace emerging technologies (AI, automation, etc.), platforms, and evolving practices that accelerate transformational growth and advance Ascensus’ mission and client commitments.
• Training - Conduct correction presentations for Client Services training, tailored towards the Plan Services Group and FuturePlan. Conduct internal basic technical training.
• Course Development - Review, audit, and update existing basic and intermediate internal or external training procedures related to IRS and DOL corrections.
• Document Reviews - Demonstrate a functional knowledge of Ascensus documents.
• Forms - Demonstrate a functional knowledge of Ascensus plan forms and notices.
• Business Unit Policies and Procedures - Demonstrate functional knowledge of policies and procedures.
• Fee-for-Service Engagements - Independently perform fee-for-service correction engagements. Assist with advanced fee-for service correction consultations.
• Special Projects (IT, project management) - Participate in special projects.
• Research - Complete basic technical research projects and present the findings (e.g., correction Revenue Procedure updates, Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program amendments, and Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2002-51 amendments).
• Technical Writing - Write correction articles, update correction ERISA policy statements, and update ERISA education research forms as needed.
• Legislation, Regulatory and Judicial Review - Analyze and interpret general legislative, statutory, regulatory, or case law guidance. Determine the impact general legislative, statutory, regulatory, or case law guidance has on the correction industry and/or on Ascensus correction products, services, and systems.
• Technical Knowledge - Demonstrate a functional knowledge of main plans and products and how they will affect correction process, procedures, calculations, and forms.
• Industry Knowledge - Demonstrate basic knowledge of the retirement plans industry including the applicable regulatory agencies (e.g., DOL, IRS).
• Continuing Education - Enhance technical and industry knowledge by attending continuing education classes.
• SLAs - Meet department service level standards.
• Miscellaneous - Perform other duties and projects as assigned.
• Training – Successfully complete ASPPA exams applicable to the area of Technical Expertise

Experience, Skills, Knowledge Requirements

• Special Consideration given for Microsoft Excel proficiencies, knowledge with core code logic and system architecture for BOT tool creations and enhancements (e.g., tool to run DOL calculator instead of manual entry), and knowledge of both Ascensus and FuturePlan internal tools and programs (e.g., ARK, Salesforce, AXIS).

Technical Expertise Designations/Certifications/Exams

• ASPPA designations preferred. Not all mandatory, but some include but are not limited to, QKA, QKS, QKC, QPA, CPC, QP3

Degrees

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or a related field. Special consideration given to CPA, MBA, JD or PMP.

Industry Experience

• Special consideration given to Ascensus experience or industry experience

Core Values & I-Client

• Consistently display and model the Ascensus core values and I-Client philosophy.

Software Applications

• Demonstrate intermediate proficiency in Outlook and MS Office software applications, specifically Excel, Word, Power Point, Teams.

Skills

• Demonstrate excellent client service, excellent interpersonal skills, professional demeanor and positive attitude skills. Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills. Accomplish detail-oriented tasks within given timeframes and standards. Ability to prioritize and complete multiple tasks. Demonstrate excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Demonstrate sound business judgment and risk-taking skills, strong written and oral communication skills and strong seminar training and presentation skills.