Manager, Benefits Accounting

At Navient, we believe our people are our greatest asset—and we’re looking for a finance leader who shares that mindset. Step into a high-impact leadership role where your financial expertise and strategic mindset will shape the future of benefits accounting at Navient. As Manager, you’ll lead day-to-day operations, oversee compliance and reporting for 401(k) and deferred compensation plans, and collaborate across departments to drive innovation and efficiency. You’ll play a key role in audit readiness and SEC reporting—while mentoring a talented team and solving complex challenges that span the organization. If you're ready to lead with purpose and make a measurable difference, this is your opportunity to thrive.

Areas of Responsibility

Oversee accounting, funding, and financial reporting for the qualified and non-qualified benefit plans.

• Approve bi-weekly funding reconciliations; monitor compliance with IRS and plan limits; conduct random audits to confirm accuracy and data integrity in conjunction with HR.
• Administer multiple facets of various non-health and welfare benefit plans and Workday integration data in partnership with HR and various members of the Controller group, including qualified and nonqualified plan enrollments, payroll activities, funding, compliance, distributions, and tax reporting. 
• Oversee internal and external audit requirements.
• Initiate, direct and manage annual external 401(k) plan audit for timely completion of SEC Form 11-K filing, plan financial statements and Form 5500’s. Implement corporate directive and system changes with proper collaboration and testing with other departments.

Accounting policies, journal entries, and account reconciliations.

• Implement corporate directives in collaboration with other departments.
• Review and approve journal entries with appropriate support. Evaluate unexpected deviations in reconciliations.
• Review procedures and documentation designed within the corporate framework for compliance with accounting policy and Sarbanes-Oxley.
• Review and maintain internal controls that will ensure the safeguarding of company assets and financial reporting.
• Direct posting and reconciliation of payroll activity from ADP through sub-ledger to main ledger. Coordinate prompt issue resolution to maintain efficiency.
• Communicate with various levels of management and other departments to confirm the accuracy of data provided for input into financial statements, particularly for accruals.

Manage staff.

• Support staff in meeting their goals and deadlines.
• Foster a cohesive team environment.
• Assist staff in growing professionally.

Special Projects/Other.

• Support Payroll for internal audits and annual year-end reviews.
• Liaison with other departments for various analyses based on corporate directives.
• Participate in searches for new vendors as necessary.
•  Continually search for improvements and efficiencies.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree- Accounting/Finance/Business Administration.
• 5 years of progressive experience in accounting.
• 3 years of management experience.
• Attention to detail with ability to envision the big picture.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Superior management and supervisory skills.
• Self-starter and highly motivated.
• Strong interpersonal skills with all levels of staff and management.
• Results oriented with emphasis on integrity, sensitivity, confidentiality.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with Oracle, ADP Vantage and Workday.
• Experience with ERISA and the administration of qualified plans.
• Experience with complexities of non-qualified plan administration and accounting.
• Experience preparing and reviewing journal entries.
• CPA/CPA candidate helpful.
• Excellent customer service, communication and time management skills.
• Ability to work independent of supervision.