ESOP Trustee

Merit is a fast growing, pioneering financial services firm that invests heavily in the growth and development of team members. Merit seeks to establish, educate, and help individuals reach their financial goals as they transition into and experience retirement. With an unswerving commitment to excellence and reliability, Merit provides objective financial advice and believes in establishing long-lasting relationships. By offering an array of services, clients can receive tailored solutions that promote growth and help them achieve financial goals.

Merit is a fast growing, pioneering financial services firm that invests heavily in the growth and development of team members. Merit seeks to establish, educate, and help individuals reach their financial goals as they transition into and experience retirement. With an unswerving commitment to excellence and reliability, Merit provides objective financial advice and believes in establishing long-lasting relationships. By offering an array of services, clients can receive tailored solutions that promote growth and help them achieve financial goals.

Merit believes in addressing the retirement challenges in America by helping clients reach financial freedom and confidence to the working population and retirees alike. This focus on comprehensive financial wellness enables us to deliver the ultimate client experience.

Headquartered in Alpharetta, GA, with 39 locations across the country, Merit balances tactical advice with innovative strategy. Our 250 hardworking employees are leaders rooted in humility and we are poised to grow. Merit is a multi-generational firm with a foundation built around servant leadership and total team leadership. We have been recognized as a “Best Places to Work” by Investment News and have made the fastest growing companies list in both INC 5000 and Georgia’s Fastest 40.

As we expand and work to bring our relationship-driven approach to the financial industry, we are looking for the right individuals to join our team.

The Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Trustee is responsible for acting in the best interest of the employee-owners, ensuring the effective management and administration of the company’s ESOP. The trustee must be knowledgeable about the legal, financial, and regulatory aspects of ESOPs and must ensure that the plan complies with all applicable laws and fiduciary responsibilities.

• Act as a fiduciary to the ESOP plan participants, ensuring the plan operates in accordance with ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) guidelines.
• Ensure the interests of the employees are protected, making decisions that benefit the employee-owners while minimizing conflicts of interest.

• Oversee the administration of the ESOP, ensuring the timely and accurate distribution of shares and contributions.
• Collaborate with third-party service providers such as recordkeepers, appraisers, and legal advisors to manage the day-to-day operations of the ESOP.

• Ensure that the ESOP’s annual valuations are conducted properly and fairly, taking into account the current financial standing of the company and fair market value of shares.
• Review and approve the independent appraiser’s reports and any adjustments to the ESOP share price.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, including the IRS, DOL, and ERISA regulations.
• Ensure that the ESOP meets the requirements for tax-qualified status and other regulatory obligations.

• Ensure that all required reports, filings, and disclosures are completed in a timely manner, including Form 5500, summary plan descriptions,…