A mutually rewarding experience.

Work. Realize your ambitions. And realize there’s more to being in business than just making a profit. That’s the Mars philosophy. And the opportunity we offer every one of our Associates. An opportunity to take what you do and make it mean more for you, for those around you and for the planet.  What you get here is challenging, interesting work. You get the tools you need to do a great job and you get to have the best possible people on your side to help you do it. And at the same time as getting to find ways to do business better today than we did it yesterday and driving a great career, you also get to build a more enlightened business and drive sustainability.

Because it’s never just about a single person, a single project or a single brand. It’s about how you can grab everything that’s within your reach here and use it to pursue mutual, long-term gain. It’s about having ideas. And ideals. Being prepared to risk failure because the promise of success means we’ll all be a little better off. It’s that mix of integrity and ambition that makes Mars such a special place to work. And why working here is always about more than just a job.

About Mars, Incorporated 

Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN’S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

 

Global Technical Accountant – Benefits – US Compliance (McLean, VA / Mt. Olive, NJ)

 

Job Purpose/Overview

The role is a critical member of the Global Benefits Accounting team with responsibility to develop and manage the annual Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) Compliance process related to the reporting of US Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) financial statements and Form 5500. Independently lead all US EBP 3rd party audits in compliance with Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) requirements and compliant with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

 

Key Responsibilities

Proactively research ERISA and U.S. GAAP accounting policy changes as related to the global benefit plans and provide recommendations, documentation, and application to the Plan financial statements.

Independently:

•            Prepare financial statements & disclosures for the audited U.S EBPs. (6 Audited Plans)

•            Prepare and submit audit requests for EBP audits as requested by 3rd Party auditors.

•            Coordinate timely receipt of audit requests with internal Benefits and Payroll teams and external service providers.

•            Prepare annual compliance filings for U.S. Department of Labor (18 Form 5500s) for the Controller and Benefits Administration Manager to review and for signoff.

•            Manage and ensure complete and accurate disclosure of benefits data on a timely basis (use of Relius software application)

•            Prepare and submit Puerto Rico Retirement Plans annual reports.

•            Complete annual support documentation for Benefit Plan Financial Statements ensuring all support is included and referenced to final reports.

•            Generate Summary Annual Reports (SAR) for Health Care Plans and Savings Plans and provide to Benefits team for distribution.

 

Employee Benefit Plan Controls

•            Annually review and update EBP Internal Controls and coordinate management review and signoff. Upload into Internal Controls Excellence (ICE) system.

•            Annually review System and Organization Controls (SOC1) 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.

Recommend process improvements and identify efficiency opportunities.

Financial statements are prepared using 3rd party software, WDesk.

 

Context and Scope

The Global Technical Accountant – Benefits – US Compliance – works closely with the T&B Controllers, internal benefits and payroll teams and 3rd party independent auditors to develop the U.S. Benefits Plan Financial Statement and Form 5500s within established time frames. The role serves as the main point of contact for audit team and actuaries’ questions, and training. The role requires knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and benefits accounting and compliance requirements under ERISA.

Job Specifications/Qualifications

Education & Professional Qualifications Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Finance/Accounting, CPA preferred

 

Knowledge / Experience

•            5+ years work experience in accounting field utilizing Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

•            Experience with benefit and/or technical accounting preferred.

•            Must have demonstrated ability to work with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Must have ability to learn WDesk, Alteryx and Power BI.

•            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.

 

Key Mars Leadership Competencies

Dealing with Ambiguity

Priority Setting

Comfort Around Higher Management

Problem Solving

 

Key Functional Competencies & Technical Skills

Accounting

Financial Control

Digital Competencies

 

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.