SSAS Accounts Executive

Job Description

SSAS Accounts Executive£24,000 - £28,000 depending on experienceLeicester - office basedFour Squared Recruitment as working in partnership with a well-established Chartered firm of Financial Planners who have offered advice in the specialist areas of pensions and investments for over 30 years. The Practice delivers innovativefinancial planning solutions, tailored to the individual needs of the client. This is often done via working with the clients other financial advisers, such as accountants and solicitors.OVERALL PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE JOB:

• Provide a quality administration service in respect of the Small Self-Administered Scheme (SSAS) arrangements allocated to the Accounts Executive
• Provide technical and administrative support to the Account Adviser
• Maintain records that meet the requirements of the firm and the regulator
• Provide an in-house point of contact for the client
• Maintain a good working relationship with clients, other SSAS team members and Financial Planners
• Assisting the other members of the SSAS team as required.

MAIN TASKS:The overall focus of the role will be to manage a portfolio of clients with Small Self-Administered Schemes (SSASs), the main tasks being to:

• Set up new schemes/implement takeovers in a timely fashion
• Effect transfer into schemes and action property purchases/sales with appropriate training and support
• Prepare reports and valuations for client meetings
• Process retirement benefit applications
• Calculate maximum borrowing and calculate a range of retirement and death benefits
• Provide technical and administrative support to the Account Adviser and prepare the required reports for client meetings
• Carry out other routine administration tasks identified below and deal with client queries within field of expertise / range of authorisation

Administration tasks

• Set up new Schemes in a timely fashion and complete online registration with HMRC and Data Protection Registrar at outset
• Wind up Schemes - including closing scheme accounts and pay benefits/transfers
• Carry out the renewals of SSAS arrangements and prepare for client meetings.
• Invoice clients in accordance with Client Agreements
• Oversee and provide guidance in respect of property purchase / sales
• Process claims arising from death and illness, including the calculation of benefits payable
• Process retirement claims and process retirees pensions
• Process changes to Schemes
• Produce bespoke Deeds and Documents
• Monitor client bank accounts
• Carry out other routine administration tasks and deal with client queries within field of expertise / range of authorisation
• The administration of some FURBS/EFRBS may be allocated to the Accounts Executive in addition to the SSASs

Protection

• Understand protection requirements and types of protection available
• Where appropriate, apply for protection of existing benefits
• Apply knowledge in payment of benefits

Reporting

• Complete HMRC online reporting forms where required
• Complete and submit HMRC scheme and tax returns within timescales

Calculations

• Calculate maximum borrowing and loans
• Calculate loan interest payable
• Calculate retirement benefits, including maximum capped drawdown limits
• Calculate death benefits
• Perform sundry other calculations

Liaison, Communications and Record keeping

• Provide technical and administrative support to the Account Adviser
• Maintain records in accordance with in-house procedures
• Provide information to accountants in respect of Scheme Accounts where appropriate and check prepared accounts
• Assist other account advisers and SSAS Account Executives with the preparation of reports both prior and post meetings
• Archive paper records when required
• Utilise software as required in the role

PAY, BENEFITS AND WORKING PRACTICES:

• Full time role - Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm
• Office based
• Salary range: £24,000 to £28,000 dependent on knowledge and experience
• Discretionary bonuses (1/2 yearly, dependent on firms profits)
• 2 x salary life assurance
• Essentials private medical insurance
• Pension: - 5% employer contribution, rising incrementally
• 24 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising incrementally

PERSON SPECIFICATION:QUALIFICATIONS:Essential

• Educated to A level standard (or equivalent) as a minimum
• To be willing to obtain CII Award/certificate/Diploma Units
• A minimum of 2 years experience in SSAS or SIPP client servicing and administration role

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:Essential

• Knowledge of the SSASs and associated products that the firm recommends
• Good technical knowledge of different types of pension schemes and their use in financial planning
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients and professional connections
• Knowledge of Pensions and Data Protection legislation and Pensions Regulator regulations relevant to role
• Ability to work within level of authority and to refer work when appropriate
• Ability to operate an effective diary system
• Ability to create and maintain accurate and tidy paper and computer-based records