Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions.  It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.  Columbia is one of the top academic and research institutions in the world, conducting path breaking research in medicine, science, the arts, and the humanities. It includes three undergraduate schools, thirteen graduate and professional schools, a world-renowned medical center, four affiliated colleges and seminaries, twenty-five libraries, and more than one hundred research centers and institutes.  The creation of the Columbia Climate School was recently announced and while not yet operational, is the first new school in 25 years at the University.  Columbia can claim 86 Nobel Laureates as well as over 380 new inventions each year.  Columbia is rated in the top 10 of private employers in NYC, and minorities make up 45% of faculty and staff. We are committed to attracting and retaining the best and brightest in the workforce to support our mission of excellence in higher education and research.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Reporting to the Deputy Controller, Finance Operations the Executive Director of Benefits and Pension Accounting and Reporting is responsible for monthly accounting, reporting and forecasting of all fringe expenditures and recoveries totaling over $1.3B in activity as well as overseeing the accounting and reporting for the University’s eight pension and post retirement plans with combined assets in excess of $8B.  The Executive Director is responsible for compiling the annual fringe budget, including the analysis/presentation of plan and recovery options; for the accuracy and timeliness of all health and welfare benefit plan and administration payments and monthly/quarterly accruals in accordance with GAAP, University policy and/or other statutory requirements; overseeing monthly and annual closing and reconciliation procedures for the various plans including the preparation of audited  financial statements, the year-end audit process and the preparation of various regulatory filings including the Forms 5500; and for monthly and quarterly reporting of department budget and expense.  Specific duties include, but are not limited, to: oversees the accuracy of accounting, budgeting and forecasting for all expenses within the fringe budget including the wage base and recoveries forecast/budget  for the fiscal year; responsible for the integrity and accuracy of accounting and reporting for a benefit pool which records over $1.3B of activity annually; prepares and manages the fringe pool budget in a fiscally responsible manner, complying with all applicable rules and regulations; oversees the preparation of the variance analysis of the fringe pool; coordinates and oversees the external audit process for the pension and post retirement plans; oversees the coordination of pension and post retirement plan valuations, recommends and implements internal control practices to ensure proper accounting and monitoring of activity; develops procedures to streamline processes; serves as key liaison between Benefits, the Controller’s Office, Office of Management and Budget, and Procurement Services; manages the accuracy, timely recording and payment of more than 75 invoices per month;  manages the reporting requirements for all fringe pool activity within and outside the department; responsible for timeliness and accuracy of related bank reconciliations.  Manages a team of five.  Performs other related duties and special projects, as assigned.