People & Culture Specialist, Retirement

About the role

The People & Culture Specialist, Retirement is responsible for administering and maintaining the Firm’s qualified retirement plans, including the 401(k), Puerto Rico 401(k), and Employee Stock Bonus Plan programs. This role performs day-to-day retirement plan administration, supports employee and principal inquiries, reconciles contributions and loan activity, partners with internal and external stakeholders, and helps ensure accurate, timely, and compliant plan operations.

Responsibilities

• Assists with the day-to-day administration of the Firm’s qualified retirement plan programs, including 401(k), Puerto Rico 401(k), and Employee Stock Bonus Plan activities
• Assists with the Retirement Plan inbox and responds to employee and principal inquiries in a prompt, accurate, professional, and client-centric-focused manner
• Reconciles employer contributions, employee contributions, employee deductions, loan payments, and related activity between payroll, draw, vendors, and plan recordkeepers
• Identifies payroll and vendor discrepancies, coordinates corrective actions, and supports accurate, compliant plan administration
• Audits, balances, and rectifies contribution and loan payments, including monitoring overdue loan payments and administering employee and partner loan payment processes
• Produces and analyzes plan demographic, performance, census, allocation, and earnings data, including support for Employee Stock Bonus Plan administration
• Assists with determining participant eligibility within applicable plans, calculating appropriate contributions and forfeitures, and communicates required data to recordkeepers, actuaries, payroll, and draw teams
• Supports annual compliance activities, including retirement plan audits, annual census reporting, Form 5500 support, ADP/ACP and other nondiscrimination testing, and federally mandated retirement plan disclosures and notices
• Prepares accounting records through trial balance, assists auditors with financial statements, and maintains accounting records for the Firm’s retirement plan programs
• Analyzes information and prepares exhibits for plan committee meetings; attends committee meetings as requested
• Conducts retirement plan orientation and education meetings for new hires, employees, and principals, as needed
• Serves as a liaison between BDO, plan participants, beneficiaries, payroll, draw, recordkeepers, retirement plan vendors, actuaries, OGC, and outside counsel on plan-related matters
• Reviews and distributes relevant plan information, communications, documentation, disclosures, and notices to participants and beneficiaries
• Assists participants with rollover, distribution, loan, contribution adjustment, refund, and other plan-related questions or administrative changes
• Assists in the implementation of new plans, programs, plan changes, and administrative procedure updates
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation and records for all plan-related activities, following established company policies and procedures
• Maintains knowledge of legal and regulatory changes, trends, and other developments affecting retirement benefits
• Handles confidential and sensitive information with appropriate discretion while working in a virtual team environment
• Assists the Total Rewards Benefits team on the administration of the firm’s health and welfare benefits, as needed
• Assists the Total Rewards Leaves team on the administration of employee leaves, as needed
• Performs other duties as required

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; focus in Business Administration, Human Resources, Finance, or Accounting preferred
• Three (3) or more years of experience in retirement plan administration, required
• Experience with retirement plan (IRS and ERISA) laws, in a professional services firm, preferred
• Certified Pension Service Professional (CPSP) certification, preferred
• Intermediate to advanced computer software skills including Word, Excel, and Outlook, required
• Must be able to create Excel spreadsheets using formulas, required
• Co-pilot experience, preferred

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to comprehend complex legal documents and filings
• Ability to make sound recommendations based on analysis, experience, and judgment
• Strong problem-solving skills to resolve issues effectively
• Ability to work well under pressure, remaining composed and professional
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritize and manage multiple assignments
• Strong organizational skills and time management practices
• Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships internally and externally
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality

Pay

National Range: $32.70/hr - $34.62/hr
Maryland Range: $32.70/hr - $34.62/hr
NYC/Long Island/Westchester Range: $32.70/hr - $34.62/hr

About Us

At BDO, how we show up matters. We build strong relationships by supporting one another, our clients, and our communities with care, curiosity, and a commitment to helping one another grow and succeed. Here, you’ll find meaningful work, leaders invested in your success, and opportunities to build a career around what matters most to you. Our purpose is to be the people our clients count on to grow with confidence and achieve what matters most.

BDO provides assurance, tax, and advisory services to clients across the U.S. and around the world. We are proud to be an ESOP company, offering participants a stake in the firm’s success through beneficial ownership and a unique opportunity to enhance their financial well-being. As a qualified retirement plan, the ESOP is a meaningful addition to our comprehensive compensation and Total Rewards benefits offerings. It also reinforces an ownership mindset that strengthens our connection to one another, our clients, and the future we’re building together.