Global Benefits Accountant, Americas (Finance)

Job Description:

Job Summary

The role is a critical member of the Global Benefits Accounting team with responsibility to develop and manage the annual global reporting process related to the reporting of defined benefit plan disclosures, as well as all aspects of the U.S. Benefit Expense in compliance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), for Plans in the US and Canada (~18 DB plans). This position is the liaison between the Global Benefits Accounting team and the Latin America region. This position also manages and provides oversight for the global pension chart of accounts for the Americas region.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, CPA preferred
• 5+ years work experience in accounting field utilizing Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Experience with benefit and/or technical accounting preferred. Experience on a global team is a plus.
• Must have demonstrated ability to work with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Must have ability to learn Power BI.
• SAP and Corporate systems experience a plus (i.e., Helios and HFM).
• Knowledge of internal controls and their application.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to interpret data.
• Ability to problem solve, prioritize and meet deadlines.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Liaison between MGSF and GBA to ensure that all period close activities are completed for US and Canada benefits accounts, including submissions, journal entries and reconciliations. This includes all the close related tasks for US and Canada Benefits Administration such as BRP payroll, FSA, etc.
• Independently manage all the related benefit expense communication, training and support to the business units and other stakeholders.
• Partner with the external actuary and internal benefits team to develop the U.S. Benefits Expense plan and actuals in compliance with U.S. GAAP and the Mars Finance Manual.
• Manage the annual global reporting process related to the reporting of Canada defined benefit plan disclosures, which includes reviewing unit submissions for accuracy, timeliness and working with the units for changes/corrections. This will involve proactively working with many Mars Units and 3rd Parties. Provide support to the actuary, Willis Towers Watson (WTW), in performing the Canada defined benefit plan valuations including recommending plan assumptions and process improvements.
• Work with Unit Finance and other stakeholder teams to ensure their financial statements correctly reflect the valuations. Where there are "special events", such as company restructurings, work with WTW to ensure the extra accounting required correctly reflects the situation within the Unit concerned and ensure the Unit Management both understand and correctly account for the event as necessary.
• Submit defined benefit and defined contribution plans information for Canada and Latin America on time and support the global consolidation process. Ensure that any new plans or changes to existing plans are properly classified and reported for USGAAP purposes.
• Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) Controls
  
  • Annually review and update EBP Internal Controls and coordinate management review and signoff.
  • Annually review System and Organization Controls (SOC1 or SSAE 16) reports from benefits related services providers and prepare a mapping for reports received to Internal Controls and highlight all User Controls Considerations for Controls not performed by service providers. Coordinate review with Controller to 3rd party auditors.
• Manage the PowerBI US pension expense reporting dashboard and develop new or enhanced dashboards to further automate reporting.
• Continually seek and recommend process improvements and identify efficiency opportunities, including adapting new technology and looking for opportunities to automate.
• Proactively research U.S. GAAP accounting policy changes as related to the global benefit plans and provide recommendations, documentation and training.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.