ESOP Operations Specialist

WHAT LJA HAS TO OFFER

LJA is offering an exciting opportunity that will allow you to reach your full career potential. The structure of our organization is designed to amplify your capabilities while gaining the benefits of being an employee-owner. What truly sets this opportunity apart is the chance to collaborate every day with dedicated, skilled, and supportive leaders. Whether you are in the office, in the field, or behind the scenes, working at LJA gives you the chance to grow through hands-on experience and exposure to a broad range of clients and services.

At LJA, our employee-owners take pride in their work and their workplace. We’re guided by leaders who foster a culture of respect, collaboration and a shared vision of success. Our difference is evident in the experiences and opportunities we provide:

• Employee-owned. Client-focused
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Consistently ranked as a Top Workplace
• Internal recruitment team, in-house training, and a marketing department specific to our industry
• We celebrate flexibility, allowing every team and office to lead with their proven approach
• Our culture champions continuous learning and personal growth
• We believe success comes through constant evolution and communication
• We are passionate about having fun and making money, all while creating impact

As an ESOP Operations Specialist at LJA Business Solutions
, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day financial and operational functions of our company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Reporting directly to the Director of Finance, this role will focus on ESOP operations and serve as the company’s in-house expert for all ESOP-related matters.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in ESOP accounting, proven experience managing large plan operations, and familiarity with engineering or architecture business models.

Our firm generates over $500 million in annual revenue and supports approximately 3,000 ESOP participants.

• Oversee the administration of the internally leveraged ESOP, ensuring compliance with ERISA, IRS, and DOL regulations.
• Manage the accounting and tracking of ESOP cash flows, including amortization schedules and note payment activity.
• Coordinate the ESOP valuation process, ensuring timely and accurate data delivery to external valuation firms.
• Manage ESOP-related cash flows, including company contributions, outflows, and share allocations.
• Forecast and track repurchase obligations (RPO), and coordinate periodic RPO studies with third-party advisors.
• Manage annual ESOP census activities
• Serve as primary liaison to external ESOP service providers including ERISA counsel, independent fiduciaries, TPAs, and valuation firms.
• Maintain internal schedules and records to support ESOP audits, financial reporting, and Board reporting.
• Develop and maintain models to assess ESOP sustainability, cash flow impacts, and share availability.
• Support employee communication efforts regarding ESOP benefits, annual statements, and educational resources.
• Provide technical and accounting support related to ESOP transactions, redemptions, and re-leveraging, as needed.
• Provide process improvement and risk management recommendations.
• Support general FP&A departmental tasks and objectives, as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
  CPA is preferred.

• Minimum 7 years of experience managing ESOP operations and accounting in a corporate or advisory capacity.
• Experience working with leveraged ESOPs in engineering, surveying, or professional services industries strongly preferred.
• In-depth understanding of ESOP financial mechanics including suspense share accounting, note structures, and participant allocations.
• Strong understanding of defined contribution plan regulations specifically to ESOPs and 401(k) s.
• Knowledge of finance and accounting processes, financial reporting, and GAAP fundamentals
• Demonstrated success managing relationships with ERISA counsel, trustees, and TPAs.
• Advanced Excel skills for modeling repurchase obligations, cash flows,…