Show Your Talent & Grow Your Career with Watkins Ross

Careers

Are you a technical minded person looking to contribute to a team of analysts, administrators, consultants and actuaries?

As a 100% ESOP-owned company, we recognize that our employees are our greatest assets. Our team includes a diverse set of experienced professionals who help our clients achieve their goals by providing services to help them implement successful retirement programs, recognize emerging trends and understand regulatory changes that may impact their bottom line.

Become a part of our team! | Watkins Ross

Working With Watkins Ross

Perks & Benefits

Watkins Ross provides support for our employees to attend conferences, webcasts or study for exams to better themselves professionally. We also understand that your “work-self” is not your only self. You have interests and passions and we want to be a part of that. Are you passionate about charity work? You can join our charity committee to help determine and execute plans for our company to help our community. Our employees are more than number crunchers. They are mothers, fathers, runners, soccer players and more; and we recognize that an investment in our employees is an investment in our future. This is why it’s important to provide your employees with a competitive benefits package!

ESOP
401(k)
Defined Benefit Plan
Health Benefits
Education Assistance
Vacation Pay

Join Our Team

Open Positions

Retirement Plan Administrator

Grand Rapids, MI

Watkins Ross is looking for an experienced Retirement Plan Administrator. The Retirement Plan Administrator will serve as the primary contact relating to plan administration and consulting for an assigned group of 401(k) profit sharing plans. This individual is accountable for the implementation and administration of these plans and builds trusting relationships with clients, advisors and colleagues to exceed client service and retention standards.

The Retirement Plan Administrator is resourceful and self-directed, with the ability to work cohesively as a team to continually improve our efficiency and grow as a firm. Strong communication skills, an attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines are essential to handle the multiple responsibilities in our technical industry. This individual must have an enthusiastic, customer service oriented attitude with proven client relationship skills, and be motivated to continually broaden expertise to stay current on developments in pension law and regulations.

Download Position Details


Responsibilities

  • Works with the defined contribution Compliance Coordinator to prepare ADP/ACP tests, along with all other nondiscrimination testing.
  • Prepares Form 5500 and related schedules.
  • Monitors plan deadlines, contributions, return of 401(k) excess deferrals/contributions, turnaround on the preparation of the year-end reports, 5500 filings, extensions and minimum distributions.
  • Verifies accuracy of the processing of contributions (including various profit sharing contribution allocation methods), loans and distributions.
  • Provides plan sponsor with information and education about their 401(k) plan and facilitate issue resolution when necessary.

Skills & Qualifications

  • Four-year degree in an analytical field or equivalent work experience required.
  • Excellent Microsoft Office skills preferred.
  • ASPPA or other professional designations preferred.

To Apply:

Please send your resume via email with the subject Retirement Plan Administrator to careers@watkinsross.com

Junior Retirement Plan Administrator

Grand Rapids, MI

Watkins Ross is looking for a Junior Retirement Plan Administrator. The Junior Retirement Plan Administrator will assist the defined contribution (DC) department with processing the 400 DC plans we administer. This is an entry-level position with the opportunity to grow into the role as the primary contact relating to plan administration and consulting for an assigned group of 401(k) profit sharing plans. This position reports to the DC Manager and will work under the guidance of an experienced Retirement Plan Administrator.

As the Junior Retirement Plan Administrator advances through training, the job responsibilities will also include:

  • Respond to general inquiries from clients/advisors
  • Prepare Form 5500 filings and related schedules
  • Collect year-end data from fund companies for valuation work
  • Assist with special projects as needed

Download Position Details


Responsibilities

  • Process distributions, loans, hardships and in-service withdrawals
  • Prepare census requests and audits
  • Prepare the year-end data for processing
  • Prepare client engagement letters and participant fee disclosures
  • Prepare 1099R Forms
  • Assemble valuation reports
  • Assist with additional administrative tasks as needed (scanning, filing, etc.)

Skills & Qualifications

  • Four-year degree in an analytical field or equivalent work experience preferred.
  • Excellent Microsoft Office skills required. Working experience with Relius preferred.
  • One year of defined contribution administration experience preferred.

To Apply:

Please send your resume via email with the subject Junior Retirement Plan Administrator to careers@watkinsross.com

Watkins Ross is an equal opportunity employer. We recognize our responsibility to our clients, employees and community to recruit/hire/promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, height, weight, veterans status, or physical/mental disability, to the extent required by law.