Senior Compliance Analyst

Description

Provide timely and accurate customer service for complex clients with Defined Contribution Plans, along with compliance and government form production support to internal Client Relationship Managers. Partner with TRA Internal Sales and external Plan Advisors to satisfy the needs of complex Plan Sponsors. Serve as a senior technical resource for compliance matters, supporting the accuracy, consistency, and quality of retirement plan administration across TRA. This position is expected to serve as one of TRA's highest-level technical compliance resources, providing guidance on complex and unusual plan administration matters while helping reduce the need for external consulting resources.

Responsibilities

Oversee complex compliance administration for Defined Contribution plans, including nondiscrimination testing, allocations, government reporting, and Form 5500 preparation, ensuring accurate and timely plan administration. Production focus will be on plans determined to have advanced plan design complexity and assisting team members with complex plans.

Identify emerging compliance issues and operational issues, including testing failures, eligibility concerns, late contributions, missed amendments, and correction requirements; recommend and support appropriate resolutions.

Serve as the primary technical compliance resource by communicating testing results, explaining complex issues, and partnering with Client Relationship Managers.

Research, analyze, and resolve complex plan administration, compliance, and ERISA-related matters, engaging external counsel when appropriate.

Serve as a Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) and technical resource by providing guidance on complex compliance matters, supporting consistent administration practices, and assisting with specialized client situations.

Perform technical and peer reviews of complex compliance work to ensure consistency, quality, and adherence to regulatory and company standards.

Coordinate compliance-related procedures, documentation, training initiatives, and process improvements, including annual process reviews, system evaluations, and operational enhancement projects.

Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting retirement plans, assess operational impacts, and support implementation of required changes.

Mentor and develop team members by providing technical coaching and sharing regulatory and operational expertise.

Take an active role in special projects and organizational initiatives.

Make informed decisions on escalated and complex matters, considering business objectives, risks, and operational impacts.

Assist with plan and service terminations, non-standard restoration requests, special projects, and other duties as assigned.

Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and a commitment to exceptional client service.

Qualifications

Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to a Compliance Analyst IV position, including independent administration of plans with advanced plan design complexity and challenging compliance requirements.

Minimum of 10 years of direct experience in retirement plan compliance testing and Form 5500 preparation within a TPA, recordkeeper, benefits consulting firm, retirement services organization, or law firm.

Demonstrated ability to coach and develop less experienced analysts by explaining not only how compliance work is performed, but also why regulatory requirements dictate specific approaches.

College degree preferred.

Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, make sound decisions, and resolve complex issues in a fast-paced environment.

Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with clients, advisors, auditors, attorneys, senior leadership, and internal partners.

Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and accuracy.

Must be mature, dependable, and capable of working independently while collaborating effectively across departments.

Ability to evaluate employee proficiency and identify training needs, while exercising discretion to escalate complex or out-of-scope issues as appropriate.

Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat.

Demonstrated ability to become highly proficient in retirement plan administration, testing, and government reporting systems. Experience with ftwilliam or comparable retirement plan administration platforms such as Relius, ASC, or Datair is strongly preferred.

Strong technical understanding of ERISA, Internal Revenue Code qualification requirements, nondiscrimination testing methodologies, government reporting requirements, and retirement plan operational correction principles.

ASPPA QKA, ERPA, QPA, CPC, or other approved industry designation preferred.