People & Culture Specialist, Retirement

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.

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
• 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
• Must be able to create Excel spreadsheets using formulas
• 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

Benefits

BDO provides a comprehensive Total Rewards benefits package, including an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) that offers participants a stake in the firm’s success through beneficial ownership. Benefits may be subject to eligibility requirements. Learn more about BDO Total Rewards.