Senior Plan Consultant

At Community Financial System, Inc. (CFSI), we are dedicated to providing our customers with friendly, personalized, high-quality financial services and products. Our retail division, Community Bank, N.A., operates more than 200 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Beyond retail banking, we also offer commercial banking, wealth management, investment management, insurance and risk management, and benefit plan administration.

Just as our employees are committed to helping our customers manage their finances, we’re committed to our employees. After all, they make it happen for our customers every day.

To ensure our people can enjoy long and successful careers here at CFSI, we offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and professional development and advancement opportunities. As an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer, we celebrate and support a diverse workplace for the benefit of all: our employees, customers and communities.

Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for obtaining data from clients and following up; preparing quarterly and/or annual administration; preparing reports and tax forms and running various tests including ADP, ACP, etc.; checking and monitoring loan and distribution requests; handling IRS and internal client audits; assisting other Pension Administrators whenever necessary; and other duties.

Essential Duties:

• Request data from client and follow up as needed.
• Prepare quarterly and/or annual administration including trust accounting and computer work.
• Respond to client inquiries and develop client relationships.
• Prepare 5500 and ERISA report and accompanying tax forms for each plan.
• Prepare and run the following tests:
• ADP, ACP, 410(b) and other tests as required.
• Monitor 415 and 402(g) limits.
• Check distributions:
• Terminations, hardship withdrawals, in-service withdrawals, 70 ½. 
• Check and monitor loan requests and prepare loan paperwork.
• Calculate annual employer profit sharing and year-end or true up matching contributions.
• Monitor incoming receipts of monthly, quarterly and annual information from the client and investment companies.
• Process Plan terminations.
• Review documents prepared by the Documents Team for new and restated Plans to the IRS.
• Review amendments as needed.
• Handle IRS and internal client audits.
• Check work of other Pension Administrators.
• Answer questions of other Pension Administrators.
• Cover for the other Pension Administrators.
• Assist in developing forms, procedures, and other materials.
• Research special questions, new rules and regulations.
• Ensure database reports are current.
• Monitor Plans to ensure compliance with current laws and regulations. 
• Consult clients on rules and regulations surrounding the administration of QDROs.
• Be available for on-site client committee meetings and annual reviews.
• Assist the Sales Team with the completion of RFPs.
• Assist the Conversion Team with the set up of new clients. 

Ancillary Duties:

• As an integral member of the organization, this position is also responsible to provide assistance wherever necessary to help the department and the Company in achieving their goals.

Education, Training, Experience, and Skill Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field required. Must have ASPPA designation.

Experience 

• A minimum of 3 years related experience necessary, as well as experience in Pension Plan Administration and Retirement Industry knowledge.
• All applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Competencies

• Well-developed written and oral communication skills
• Ability to be highly organized and show an attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize work assignments and multitask
• Display an intermediate level competency with Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as personal computer skills.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience plus potential for annual merit increase. In addition to your competitive salary, you will be rewarded benefits including: 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, Medical, Vision & Dental insurance, 401K with generous match, Pension, Tuition Reimbursement, Banking discounts and the list goes on!

Physical Demands:

Mobility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, distance vision suitable for independent driving/travel, and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone. Individual must be able to lift 20 pounds. Accommodation may be made for some of these physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodation.

Work Environment and Environmental Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The air quality is usually moderate. There is no or very limited exposure to physical risk.

The Company is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

The Company will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability. If you have a physical or mental impairment and would like to request an accommodation with respect to the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department.