Employer Accounting Analyst

Job Listing Title:

Employer Accounting Analyst - UFCW & Employers Trust, Benefits Administration, CONCORD CA

Job Listing: 

Established in 1957, UFCW and Employers Trust, LLC, also known as the Trust Fund Office, is one of the top 400 largest retirement funds (managing over $6.4 billion in assets) in the USA. We administer health plans and pension benefits for over 240,000 participants at 149 employers throughout Northern California and Hawaii. We serve the grocery food market and retail pharmacy industry consisting of essential workers from employers like Safeway, Save Mart, and Raley’s. The Trust Fund Office administers several multiemployer plans; an employee benefit plan maintained under multiple collective bargaining agreements. Our “Taft Hartley” plans are governed by strong Boards of Directors consisting of Union and Employer industry leaders (as Trustees) with a fiduciary focus and care for our Membership and their families. Our mission is to provide exceptional benefit administration to those we serve: our Members, Dependents, Local Unions, Employers, and Service Providers.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN AN IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Communication and interpersonal skills for internal and employer interaction
• Intermediate to advanced MS Excel and MS Word
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Detail oriented, ability to read/write effectively and accurately

WE OFFER

• $32.66 with scheduled yearly increases
• Full benefits package (medical: Kaiser or Blue Shield, dental, vision, life insurance, death benefit, employee member assistance program) with no premiums for employees and low premiums for dependents
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 401(k) match and individual consulting with pension consultant
• Generous Paid Time Off (starting at 2.6 weeks up to 5.6 weeks) and Sick Time
• Generous holidays (11.5 paid days per year)
• On-site free gym in Concord 
• Complimentary coffee service everyday
• Our Concord location includes free parking, and is conveniently located in the central east bay, beside the I-680 freeway and accessible to BART. The adjacent Veranda Shopping Center (www.shoptheveranda.com) is within walking distance and has a variety of restaurants, retail shopping, and events. 

OUR CULTURE

• Our mission to provide exceptional benefit administration for essential workers is what drives us. What we do matters and touches the lives of over 240,000 participants who work for 149 entities. 
• We have been in business since 1957 and are expanding. Come grow with us! 
• Average employee tenure of 10 years
• Culture of recognition
• Variety of paths for career advancement
• Exciting events
• An amazing team of professionals to collaborate with and learn from!

JOB SUMMARY

Interfaces with participating employers in order to process contributions for health and welfare and pension benefits for covered employees. Responsible for accurately processing contribution data through an understanding of collective bargaining agreements, utilizing Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, creation of text files and the import of work hours into a mainframe environment. Completes necessary research in order to verify receipt of corresponding dollars for reported hours, invoicing accurate credits or shortfalls. Responsible for the preparation and billing of compliance audits and employer account reconciliations, and to pursue all outstanding receivables, including the preparation of and participation in formal proceedings. Responsible for preparation and exchange of correspondence between the employers and the Board of Trustees regarding employer requests, contribution rates and policy decisions. Works as part of a team to address functionality, systemic or processing issues, to collaborate in the enhancement of procedures and strategies designed to achieve shared department and company goals. Records and follows up on issues and projects, ensuring obligations and agreements are met, taking responsibility for these from inception to completion based on existing procedures within allowable timeframes. Professionally interacts in a team environment with employer representatives, UFCW Trust team members, and internal and external business associates. Required to work in a fast-paced environment, balancing multiple priorities, with an attention to detail, providing excellent follow-up and communication.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs various duties and responsibilities of Employer Accounting Assistant as needed.
• Processes monthly contributions for participating employers using Microsoft Excel. Creates test files used to upload data to the Company mainframe. Processes and reviews manual calculations and ensures accuracy of system generated calculations. 
• Downloads daily lockbox detail. Applies payments to specific accounts and allocates receipts to appropriate Funds. Reconciles and invoices for differences, preparing billing documents and discrepancy letters.
• Balances monthly receipts to bank statements and prepares totals for monthly general ledger update.
• Performs file transfer, receipt, and collection of dependent premiums.
• Researches, prepares, bills, and documents status of compliance audits, account reconciliations and withdrawal liability.
• Researches and bills receivable balances including liquidated damages providing supporting documentation identifying amounts due.
• Coordinates arbitrations and collection action for unpaid contributions, in conjunction with counsel and management.
• Performs all rate maintenance including preparation of input sheets and updates to agreement codes, participation, rate lines and rate tables. 
• Analyzes inquiries received from other departments or business associates regarding contribution data in order to prepare and load adjustments for monthly hours.
• Maintains all facets of the employer account relationship including the set up and termination of accounts, updates to contact information, ensuring approved communications are distributed and explained, and assisting employers with their requests.
• Responds professionally and articulately to telephonic and email inquiries with an appropriate sense of urgency with the ability to diffuse emotionally charged conversations and provide detailed descriptions of complex procedures and concepts in writing and verbally.
• Reviews collective bargaining agreements and trust agreements in order to correspond and communicate with employers, external auditors and union locals regarding contribution reporting requirements.
• Prepares submissions to the Board of Trustees, including payment plans and settlement proposals with the calculation of payment plan interest.
• Prepares daily, weekly and monthly statistical reports, and prepares and formats information for ad hoc data requests.
• Creates and updates department processes for each new and assigned task; develops and tests new procedures.
• Assists in regular cross-training and proofreading activities.
• Assists with general office duties and ensures the workspace and office is kept clean.
• Completes special projects as assigned.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

• 5 years of work experience in Accounting or at a Trust Fund, or a Bachelors degree in Accounting or a related field. A combination of appropriate education and experience may be substituted for the minimum education and experience requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual experience a plus.
• Education or Work Experience in Accounts Receivable desired.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to take instruction and follow directions accurately.
• Ability to analyze information.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with co-workers and employees throughout the office.
• Ability to demonstrate strong follow-through and an appropriate sense of urgency.
• Proficiency in the use of (or ability to learn) personal computer software or systems applicable to the essential functions of the job, which may include any or all of the following: email/calendar software, internet/intranet browsers, word processing, spreadsheets, database software, mail processing equipment, microfilm reader, copier, fax, scanner, various systems or software used by office (such as vendor claims system), etc.
• Ability to create and utilize basic formulas and functions and to manipulate large data sets in Excel.
• Proficiency in English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and simple mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, ratios, etc.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Detail orientation and a high level of accuracy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Work is performed in a standard office environment with possible minor inconveniences due to occasional noise, crowded working conditions, and/or minor heating, cooling, or ventilation irregularities to the ambient temperature. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to: 

• Sit (regularly) 
• Stand or walk (occasionally)
• Talk or hear (regularly)
• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel (regularly)
• Reach with hands and arms (regularly)

Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is regularly required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and may occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds (such as a box of paper). 

This position is subject to a pre-employment negative drug screen and satisfactory completion of a background check and reference checks.

Compensation: $32.66/hour.

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