Senior Accountant - Benefits

Buckeye is the premier infrastructure and logistics provider for the world's energy needs, both today and tomorrow. Since 1886, we have successfully navigated transitions in the way energy has been distributed to continually meet the needs of an evolving market and industry environment. Our people are a critical element to the success and longevity of our operational history and our future as we seek to thrive through the energy transition.

We own and operate a diversified global network of integrated assets providing midstream logistic solutions, primarily consisting of the transportation, storage, processing, and marketing of liquid petroleum products. We are committed to safely and responsibly providing world-class service to meet the continually evolving energy needs of our customers and the communities we serve. As part of this commitment to our customers, we are continually diversifying our platform and service offerings to enable less carbon intensive energy solutions and undertaking decarbonization efforts on our operations.

Role Summary:

The Senior Accountant, Benefits position is within the General Accounting department and reports to the Senior Manager, General Accounting.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include:

Benefit and General Accounting. Performing shared financial services for the company in a timely manner. Specific duties include:

• 
  
  
  
  • Reviewing and approving monthly journal entries
  • Performing monthly reconciliations and analytics
  • Analyzing various general ledger accounts on a regular basis
  • Documenting and analyzing economic and demographic assumptions for actuarial valuations and financial reporting
  • Performing reviews and reconciliations of third party information to internal records
  • Performing and reviewing key internal controls
  • Accounting for equity-based compensation plans
  
  
  
  
• Reporting. Supporting all aspects of financial planning and analysis, including budgets and forecasts, as well as monthly, quarterly and annual reporting requirements, including reviewing annual benefit plan financial statements and disclosures and DOL Form 5500s.
• 
  
  
  
  • 
    
    
    
    • Developing annual budgets for certain benefits components
    • Tracking and reporting budget to actuals
    • Developing forecast updates to budget
    • Developing GAAP disclosure content related to defined benefits plans and defined contribution plans
    • Interacting with HR on all benefits reporting requirements
    • Interacting with plan administrators, asset custodians, and actuaries on benefit plan matters
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

• Audit Support. Serving as the primary interface with auditors for all reporting, accounting and SOX compliance matters, and primary liaison for benefit plan audits.
• Working and communicating with various internal groups to compile and analyze data, including Human Resources and Financial Reporting.
• Sarbanes-Oxley. Establishing and maintaining appropriate accounting principles, practices and procedures to ensure Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.
• Regulatory Compliance. Ensuring compliance with GAAP, IFRS, ERISA, DOL and other applicable regulatory policies and standards.
• Policies and Procedures. Research various accounting issues, document findings and conclusions, with occasional presentation to management or auditors.
• Process Improvements. Acting as a change agent to identify process improvements, implement changes and promote best practices.
• Supervision. Supervising Staff Accountant, including performance, recruitment and employee development.
• And other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or other related discipline required.
• 5+ years related experience required, preferably in accounting for and/or auditing benefit plans.
• Knowledge of accounting requirements for cash-based compensation, defined benefit, and defined contribution plans, and ERISA, DOL and regulatory reporting.
• Understanding of accounting procedures, GAAP, internal control procedures and Sarbanes/Oxley compliance required.
• Proficiency in general ledger software required, preferably JD Edwards.
• Significant experience utilizing MS Excel to perform accounting related tasks is required.
• Experience with BlackLine, or similar account reconciliation program, a plus.
• Combination of public accounting and industry experience preferred.

Certificates & Licenses:

CPA preferred.

Other Skills, Attributes and Abilities:

• High-level analytical skills required.
• This is a very detail-oriented position that requires a great deal of accuracy.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills including a high degree of discretion and tact is required.
• Strict deadlines and timelines must be adhered to with regards to reporting requirements.
• Advanced training and presentation skills would be helpful.
• Must possess personal commitment to integrity, achievement of departmental and business results and outstanding customer services, both internal and external.
• Strong leadership skills are required with potential to advance to the highest levels within the finance organization.

Essential Functions:

• 
  

  This position requires the ability to safely and successfully perform essential job functions consistent with ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and or/quantitative productivity standards.

  
  
• 
  

  This role requires the ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.

  
  
• 
  

  This position requires compliance with all personnel policies.

  
  

Physical & Safety Requirements:

• 
  

  The person in this position needs to occasionally move inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, etc.

  
  
• 
  

  The employee is frequently required to effectively communicate with others.

  
  

About You:

To be successful in the Buckeye culture, our employees must possess a demonstrated commitment to environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance. Excellent communication, both written and verbal, as well as strong organizational skills are paramount. You must work independently and be able to exercise tact, discretion, and professionalism when dealing with internal and external customers, and when handling sensitive and confidential information.

Buckeye wants to create and reward an organizational focus that stimulates the creative and entrepreneurial actions of its employees that result in innovative ways of reducing costs, generating revenues, improving productivity, or improving processes.

People First Culture:

From managing over 5,000 miles of pipeline to commercializing clean energy projects, our people collaborate to provide world-class service and meet the changing energy needs of our customers. Our employee-first culture means that we invest in our employees and equip them to be fully contributing members of high performing teams. We are focused on collaboration, inclusion, empowerment, accountability, and professional development. We want the best in you to bring out the best in us.

Join us as we work together to build a business that is responsive to the needs of the future while continuing to serve the energy needs of communities today.