Benefits Analyst

Role Description

Jackson Thornton, a partner firm within the Ascend ecosystem, is seeking a Benefits Analyst to own the day-to-day administration and strategic oversight of the firm's self-funded health and wellness plans, all employee leave programs, and COBRA administration. This individual will serve as the primary point of contact between Jackson Thornton, its third-party administrator (TPA), stop-loss carrier, and benefits vendors — ensuring seamless plan operations, regulatory compliance, and a positive member experience across the firm's growing employee base.

A critical part of this role is leading benefits integration efforts as new Partner Firms join the Ascend platform. This person will manage the full transition of incoming employees onto Jackson Thornton's plans, partnering closely with the broker, carriers, and People Operations team to ensure every new employee lands with no gaps in coverage and a clear, welcoming benefits experience.

This is a high-ownership, high-visibility role for a detail-oriented benefits professional who thrives in a fast-paced, multi-entity environment and takes genuine pride in serving employees well. The Benefits Analyst will report to the Head of People and be positioned as Jackson Thornton's internal Benefits Administration function.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• 5+ years of progressive benefits administration experience, including hands-on management of self-funded health plans
• Demonstrated experience with COBRA, FMLA, ADA accommodations, and multi-state leave compliance
• Prior experience managing benefits integrations in an M&A or multi-entity environment strongly preferred
• Familiarity with benefits administration platforms and HRIS systems; experience with government filings (Form 5500, ACA reporting) a strong plus

Requirements

• Deep familiarity with Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, including plan structures, network configurations, and carrier-specific processes for enrollment, claims, and escalations
• Deep technical knowledge of self-funded health plan administration, stop-loss arrangements, and the regulatory landscape (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, PCORI)
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills — able to manage multiple workstreams, deadlines, and vendors simultaneously without letting things fall through the cracks
• Strong employee-facing communication skills: warm, clear, and confidence-inspiring when helping employees navigate benefits questions, especially during enrollment or life events
• Analytical mindset — comfortable working with cost reports, utilization data, and plan financials to identify trends and inform decision-making
• Proactive compliance orientation: stays current on regulatory changes and proactively updates processes and documentation before issues arise
• Collaborative and adaptable in a fast-growing, multi-entity environment where the playbook continues to evolve
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel); experience with benefits administration software and HRIS platforms required

Benefits

• Highly competitive cash and equity bonus compensation package, including attractive benefits
• Start date is as soon as practicable

Company Description

Ascend empowers entrepreneurial CPAs to reach their goals with an innovative growth model that brings their firms into the new age. Backed by PeopleFirst private equity firm Alpine Investors (~$20B AUM), Ascend is the leading aggregator of regional accounting firms in the U.S., with ~2,800 employees globally and approaching $1B in revenue. Ascend has built a modern platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent in their brand, approach to client service, and cultural autonomy, while benefiting from the strategic support and resources of a large CPA firm.

Founded in January 2023, Ascend has experienced rapid growth both organically and through M&A, having completed ~45 acquisitions to date, placing it in the Top 25 largest accounting firms in the U.S.