Project Manager Accounting

PHYLLIS A. ATHANS

**** ***** ****** ********, ** 53188 815-***-****

ab4mxr@r.postjobfree.com www.linkedin.com/pub/phyllis-athans/34/964/b67

PENSION ADMINISTRATION PROJECT MANAGER

Objective: To oversee and act as liaison with internal departments and clients to provide timely and

accurate Taft-Hartley Trust and retirement plan administration, managing all aspects of services provided

to client’s satisfaction.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Successfully transitioned Taft-Hartley Trust Funds in-house from third-party administrator.

Proven record of exceptional attention to detail and talent for reviewing financial reports,

documents, policies and procedures from many perspectives.

Coordinated setup of more than 500 Health Reimbursement (HRA) accounts to the claims system

for more efficient record keeping and balancing.

Recovered overstated Dollar Bank Balances by more than $387,000.

Presented proposals to Boards’ of Trustees throughout the country for Lockbox & banking services.

Knowledge of ILITS, ERISA, DOL, GAAP, and HIPAA compliance rules and regulations.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

IBG Administrative Services, LLC, Bloomington, IL

Vice President Operations Manager 2008 – 2012

Fulfilled critical organizational role in all aspects of the financial accounting, enrollment and administration of

two multiple-employer (MEP) Welfare Plans & Trusts, 28 single-employer (SEP) Welfare Plans & Trusts and

eight corporations.

• Analyzed and resolved issues when reviewing annual reports and Plan documents.

• Assisted clients and advisors in regards to mandatory and discretionary amendments.

• Developed internal control procedures, guidelines, and procedures for cash management, accounting,

trust and benefit plan administration, thereby enhancing accuracy of records and efficiencies.

• Reconciled assets and prepared Annual 5500’s, financial statements, forecasting reports, and budgets.

• Developed and maintained relationships with professionals and recordkeepers.

• Established and managed 23 new SEP’s; prepared applications for insurance policies and investment

accounts, Trust Agreements, Plan Documents, Resolutions, and legal documents for termination.

• Established company’s health plan, managed payroll, HSA and 401(k) administration, utilizing

Human Resource Information Systems.

• Determined staffing requirements, interviewed, hired, trained, and oversaw personnel processes.

PHYLLIS A. ATHANS – page 2 of 2

Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 23, Rockford,

Administrative Manager 2006 – 2008

Performed daily administration of the Health & Welfare, Pension, 401(k), Training and LMCC Trust Funds in

accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Funds' trustees.

• Transitioned Taft-Hartley Funds in-house from TPA; independently researched five systems and

assisted programmers for customization to maintain member’s records.

• Transitioned Health Reimbursement Accounts from TPA to customized claims software.

• Performed pension calculations and presented options to participants and eligible retiree’s.

• Coordinated transition of 401(k) to new record keeper, created Summary of Benefits, conducted semi-

annual educational meetings for union participants, performed ADP/ACP testing.

• Created electronic files for transfer of payroll, 401(k) deferrals, HRA contributions, pensions, and

reciprocity.

• Installed MAS90 accounting software, created G/L’s, prepared budgets, payroll, and financial reports.

• Prepared and timely filed W-2's for benefits, H&W, and Training Fund payrolls; balanced & prepared

1099's for Pension benefits and A/P.

• Assisted outside CPA's in annual Fund audits and scheduling of payroll compliance audits.

• Hired and supervised staff, instituted internal Health Fund claims’ reviews.

• Installed T-1 line and postage machine; revamped storage; installed security & privacy system.

• Processed participant subrogations and appeals made by employers.

• Assisted legal counsel in abating IRS tax penalties from prior administrator.

• Attended quarterly trustee meetings; prepared meeting notices, agendas, minutes and correspondence;

made recommendations for Plan changes and presented reports.

OBA Midwest, Ltd./ABPA, Inc., Burr Ridge, IL

Fund Financial Manager 1998 – 2006

Managed internal operations and staff of the Financial Accounting and Contribution Accounting departments

as well as satellite offices serving more than 50 Taft-Hartley trust funds.

• Played significant impact in reducing company’s operational costs.

• Leadership role in transitioning of new clients and merging of Funds.

• Implemented procedures for the Health Claims department to follow for IRS CP-2100 Notices.

• Successful track-record in abating IRS penalty notices, saving my employer more than $25,000.

• Retained for 3 years following resignation to remotely balance, prepare and file 1099’s and W-2’s.

EDUCATION

Western Connecticut State University, Ancell School of Business, Danbury, CT

Courses: Advertising & Promotion,

Tunxis Community College, Farmington, CT

Related Courses: Accounting I&II, Economics I&II, Statistics I&II, HR Management, Marketing

Honors: Dean's List, Retained by College as Tutor in Algebra

CERTIFICATIONS

International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans:

55th Annual Employee Benefits Conference, Orlando, FL: 2009; Trustees and Administrators Institutes,

Carlsbad, CA, 2008; Construction Industry Benefits Conference, Chandler, AZ, 2007; Collection Procedures

Institute, Chandler, AZ, 2007; Essentials of Multiemployer Trust Fund Administration, Brookfield, WI, 2007;

52ndAnnual Employee Benefits Conference, Las Vegas, NV, 2006

HIPAA HITECH Certification: Security and Privacy (renewed 2011)

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