Benefit Calculation Analyst

Position:Benefit Calculation Analyst
Position Type: Full-time, Permanent, Included [Internal/External]
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Classification: Professional
Salary Range: $84,306.00 to $101,704.00
Closing Date: Until Suitable Candidate Found
If you enjoy balancing accuracy and innovation
while providing an exceptional member experience,
then this role is for you!
What you’re passionate about
Drive and innovation are in your DNA! Able to see the big picture, you are passionate about aligning business processes with compliant, accurate solutions. You believe that integrity cannot be sacrificed and understand the need to balance your approach with risk, optimization, practicality and client needs. You want to feel the work you are doing has an impact on others, and you consistently employ critical thinking to ensure your results are practical, optimized and realistic. You are a good communicator and you believe in dialogue; you support resolution-focused environments that are built on collaboration. You are dedicated, growth-orientated and forward-thinking. You are ready for more and you are ready to be integral in moving APS to the next level.
A typical day for the Benefit Calculation Analyst
You spend every day using manual calculators to complete different types of Benefit Calculations in the system queue to meet service level agreements with our pension plan clients.
You spend most days collaborating with your peers as you prepare to deliver a test grid for the upcoming client assumption changes. Once it is finalized, you begin to find suitable members in the system to test the upcoming changes. Test cases are then created to be sent to the plan actuary for their testing and certification before the assumption changes take effect in the system.
You spend some days completing ad hoc requests and identifying system defects.

• Review, manually calculate and verify complex calculations performed in the system.
• Perform research, analysis and validation on ad hoc requests and system defects.
• Develop and update accurate, user-friendly manual calculators using complex Excel modules.
• Act as a liaison between operational staff, technical professionals, external stakeholders and actuaries during development, implementation and updates of pension calculations in administration software.
• Provide insight, advice and recommendations within APS and to others, including clients, related to complex pension calculations, policy, regulatory and process changes.
• Evaluate administrative processes, ensure consistency with assumptions, calculators and processes.
• Provide training, education and support to APS staff to enhance understanding, engage as subject matter experts and mitigate risk.
• Maintain procedures and governance in accordance with industry best practices, audit recommendations and client requests for manual updating, maintenance and benefit administration, not limited to actuarial assumptions and inputs.

What you bring
Qualifications

• University degree in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, business, finance, economics or accounting, and a minimum of three years of directly related experience.
• Associate of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (ACIA) or near completion of this designation.

Knowledge

• Understanding of actuarial assumptions and their application to different types of pension calculations.
• Advanced Excel skills (including VBA Macros), including exceptional capabilities building Excel module tools.
• Project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide coaching, mentoring and guidance.
• Demonstrated delivery of process improvements and optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously within tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to task.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team setting or independently.
• Strong communication skills, including verbal, written, interpersonal and presentation.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word and PowerPoint.
• Financial administration experience, most notably in the administration of pension plans, is an asset. This includes knowledge of highly technical areas of pension plans, including taxation, legislation, administration and actuarial practice.

Why choose APS
APS is made up of hard-working, respectful and talented people who understand and invite diversity to the workplace. We take pride in holding ourselves accountable and continuing to meet or exceed service levels for plan members, pensioners and employers. We ensure they receive quality services because they—along with our people—are the reason we endure and succeed.
And it sure feels good helping hard-working Albertans receive their well-deserved pensions.
What APS has to offer

• Defined benefit pension plan
• Flexible work arrangements that make sense to you: work from home, relocation and more
• Community-minded workplace with a friendly team environment
• Vacation starting at 15 days per year, 13 statutory holidays, personal days, plus office closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Competitive benefit package featuring extended health and dental benefits and a 100% employer-paid flexible spending account
• In-house training programs, extensive career development and coaching program, access to external education opportunities and wellness programs
• Discount programs through various partner agencies