Manager Benefits Accounting / Dl4977
Saint-Gobain Corporation (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

This job posting has expired.

You may wish to try a search for Manager Benefits Accounting / DL4977

Or visit the FlipDog home page
 

Position Description:

Saint-Gobain Corporation, the holding company for the U.S. and Canadian-based businesses of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, in Paris, France, a leading worldwide producer of building materials, high-performance plastics, glass products, piping, and industrial ceramics, etc., has an opening in the Financial Reporting Division for a Manager Benefits Accounting, in the Valley Forge, Pennsylvania location.

Qualifications:

In this role, you will get involved with all aspects of corporate benefit plan accounting including coordinating the Pension, Postretirement and Postemployment benefits for several US and Canadian businesses, prepare US and Canadian financial statements for certain benefit plans, and coordinate the benefit plan audits with the external auditors. In addition, you will be involved in the month end close, be responsible for account analysis and account reconciliations at the Corporate Office as well as overseeing account activity at the business unit level. You will provide the required IAS 19 actuarial forms/disclosures to the parent company, be responsible for coordinating with the actuaries to develop budget and actual amounts by business unit and adopt new accounting pronouncements as required by US GAAP and IFRS. Also, you will provide Corporate oversight of other long-term liabilities including significant legal and environmental reserves. Position Responsibilities 1.Benefit Plan Accounting: • Coordinate the Pension, Postretirement and Postemployment benefits accounting process for US and Canadian businesses. • Inform Management of new accounting developments resulting from changes in either Pension and Benefits policy or changes to external requirements, determine financial impact and recommends a course of action. • Responsible for adopting new accounting pronouncements as required by US GAAP and IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards). • Provide guidance and support as appropriate to other functions in the company such as HR and Treasury as well as other 3rd party service providers. • Coordinates, produces and updates company policy and procedural manual as necessary 2.Month-end close, Account Analysis and Reconciliation: • Prepares and/or reviews journal entries monthly (minimal). • Ensures the accuracy of the company accounts for benefit plans through analysis, reconciliation, and research. • Prepares quarterly and annual footnote disclosures on Pension and benefits as required for US GAAP financial statements for US/Canadian businesses. 3.Financial Reporting: • Provide the required IAS 19 actuarial forms/disclosures to the parent company and work with the benefits team in Paris. • Coordinates Pension and Benefits process with US and Canadian companies and acts as primary contact to senior management. • Responsible for coordinating with the actuaries to provide both budget and actual data to business units in a timely manner. 4.Benefit Plan Audits: • Responsible for preparation of both US and Canadian financial statements for pension plans and defined contribution plans. • Coordinate benefit plan audits of both US and Canadian pension plans and defined contribution plans with external auditors. 5.Oversight of Other Long-term Liabilities: • Provide oversight for US and Canadian businesses of other long-term liabilities including significant legal and environmental reserves. • On a quarterly basis, provide management a financial overview of other long-term liabilities with accompanying narrative. • Work with legal and environmental team as well as business units to keep informed of reserve requirements and on-going activity. 6.Special Projects: Provides analytical support and analysis for various projects and research accounting for non-routine transactions. This position is responsible for account analysis of high dollar and high profile accounts, including pension and post retirement liabilities, environmental reserves, and other long-term liabilities - totaling more than $1 billion. The analysis is used by management to support the decision making process with respect to the adequacy of reserves. This position requires significant interaction with the business units and Senior Executive Management. The Benefit Accounting reporting responsibilities are extensive. Frequent changes occur in this area as new accounting pronouncements are issued in the U.S. In addition, the Parent Company frequently issues new guidance to comply with IFRS accounting. Meeting deadlines is critical in this area, and this is challenging given the complexity and the volume of data required. PROBLEM SOLVING: Account analyses and special projects typically require extensive research and superior problem solving skills. These decisions are typically governed by (1) Local Accounting Policies; (2) US GAAP and (3) SIF Doctrine established by CSG. POSITION REQUIREMENTS: • A bachelor's degree is required • Ideal candidate will have 3-5 years of public accounting and 3-5 years of general accounting experience • 3-5 year minimum accounting experience in Pension and Benefits arena. Knowledge of FAS 87,106 and 112 REQUIRED> • Prior supervisory experience in a financial accounting role is beneficial but not required • Certified Public Accountant or CPA candidate with Big 4 experience is preferred • Exposure to foreign operations will be beneficial • Must be a self starter and a quick learner who can work independently with minimal supervision • Actively participates in problem identification and coordinates resolutions between appropriate parties • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written, with ability to write reports and correspond with Senior Executive Management • Results oriented and focused on professional development • Well organized, able to efficiently manage projects and people with attention to details • Maintains a pleasant, professional attitude in order to facilitate positive and productive interactions with coworkers and function as part of a team • Maintains the highest degree of integrity, professionalism, and leadership • Eager to learn and adapt to change, evaluating and recommending new approaches, policies, and procedures that result in process improvements and efficiencies. • Ability to manipulate databases and export reports with good analytical skills • Proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.