Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions.  It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.  Columbia is one of the top academic and research institutions in the world, conducting path breaking research in medicine, science, the arts, and the humanities. It includes three undergraduate schools, thirteen graduate and professional schools, a world-renowned medical center, four affiliated colleges and seminaries, twenty-five libraries, and more than one hundred research centers and institutes.  The creation of the Columbia Climate School was recently announced and while not yet operational, is the first new school in 25 years at the University.  Columbia can claim 86 Nobel Laureates as well as over 380 new inventions each year.  Columbia is rated in the top 10 of private employers in NYC, and minorities make up 45% of faculty and staff. We are committed to attracting and retaining the best and brightest in the workforce to support our mission of excellence in higher education and research.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Reporting to the Associate Director, Pension Accounting and Reporting (80%) and on a dotted line to the Associate Director Fringe Benefits Operations and Forecasting, (20%), the Senior Accountant is primarily focused on working with the Associate Director, Pension Accounting and Reporting to achieve the Pension team’s objective of managing the on-going accounting for/reporting on the University’s eight pension/post-retirement plans -a mix of defined contributions, deferred compensation and defined benefits plans- with combined assets greater than $8 billion. He/she also supports ad-hoc functions within the Fringe Benefits Operations and Forecasting team.  The role works closely with others in the Controller’s Office, CUHR Benefits, and Student and Administrative Services, as well as both internal and external auditors, on all aspects of benefits accounting for the University.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in the planning and coordination of the annual audits, preparation of the financial statements of all pension plans and all post-retirement plans that require audits;
• Assist in the preparation of supporting documentation for audited financial statements including year-end audit schedules;
• Assist in the preparation of draft of FAS 158 disclosure of the University’s financial statements;
• Research new accounting rules and updates and make recommendations as to applicability and implementation;
• Interface with internal and external auditors and senior management on all aspects of pension accounting and reporting;
• Prepare asset activity reports for all plans on a monthly basis;
• Track, analyze, project and record all post-retirement expenses;
• Prepare management reports on historical, current and projected post-retirement benefit expenditures;
• Manage Defined Contribution reconciliations between the Benefits and Payroll departments, and between the Benefits department and the three carriers at a summary level;
• Prepare semi-annual reconciliation reports at a detailed participant level for three Defined Contribution carriers;
• Maintain clear and effective communications with benefit carriers, senior management and auditors;
• Provide instructions to the Plan Trustee for benefit reimbursements for Defined Benefit plans;
• Arrange contributions to the Defined Benefit plans as required under ERISA;
• Manage the clearing of accounts to ensure all entries post appropriately; prepare reconciliations of Columbia University Retirement Medical and Life Insurance (CURML) benefits plan activity with custodian bank carriers and ensure bank accounts are balanced;
• Record and reconcile fringe benefit accounting activity, including preparing accrual entries and performing quarter-end and year-end related activities;
• perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree (preferably in accounting, finance or business administration) or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• minimum of three years' related accounting experience required. 
• Benefits accounting and/or public accounting experience strongly preferred. 
• Experience in a large, complex academic or research environment a plus. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office required, with a particular need for strong Excel skills to collect and analyze data, evaluate information, prepare reports, and present findings and recommendations. 
• Must be highly detail-oriented with strong organizational and problem-solving skills, and have the ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments simultaneously. 
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including active listening skills, plus the ability to work closely and effectively with a diverse group of University administrators, characterized by strong consensus building and relationship building skills, essential.
• Must be a team player.
• Must be able to negotiate issues and resolve problems. 
• In addition, the successful candidate must be able to work well with all levels of management, both internally and externally, be flexible in nature, have sound judgment with an open and collaborative style that encourages teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization, and a strong role model.  Must have a passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality.

To be considered an applicant, all interested parties MUST apply through the Columbia University online employment application system. Paste the following quick link into your browser to access this position posting:

http://opportunities.columbia.edu/cw/en-us/job/521314?lApplicationSubSourceID=

Columbia University is an Equal Employment / Affirmative Action Employer