Sr Associate Investment Accountant (Private Alternative Credit Fund Reporting)

Principal Financial Group•Des Moines, IA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

We’re looking for a Senior Associate Accountant to join our Investment Accounting team supporting Private Alternative Credit Fund Reporting (PAC). In this role, you’ll apply knowledge of accounting standards and expertise to tackle business problems, seeking guidance for new or complex situations. This role will be expected to interact with the various functions across the organization, including portfolio management, underwriting, and the parent company balance sheet portfolio managers and finance staff. Incumbents can independently research and document sophisticated accounting decisions. Apply sophisticated accounting analysis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), tax regulations, or other regulatory guidance. Perform complex transaction processing and exception handling. Provide oversight and/or execution of month-end accounting processes including cash flow analysis, reconciliations, and general journal entries. Interpret financial reports and accounts, identify and evaluate risks and opportunities and present findings to management for decision making. Partner with fund administrators to execute timely and accurate NAV calculation of funds which includes accounting for purchases, sales, income accruals and expenses, to ensure timely and accurate reporting. Act as the subject matter expert and work with project owners to ensure accounting objectives are met through the design and implementation of new processes and/or systems. Carry out testing to ensure the system or process is operating as intended. Escalate any findings/variances/issues as needed. Identify and implement operational excellence projects, providing business requirements for new systems or improvements. Assist with new client structures and PAC fund formation activities across multiple functions, including the setup and launch of new funds and financial products. Assist in the development and implementation of governance frameworks and financial controls. Monitor control structure and escalate issues as vital. Drive remediation plans for control deficiencies. Coordinate with external auditors as part of the planning and execution of the annual external audits. Produce recurring investor reports and ad hoc investor requests. Operating at the intersection of financial services and technology, Principal builds financial tools that help our customers live better lives. We take pride in being a purpose-led firm, motivated by our mission to make financial security accessible to all. Our mission, integrity, and customer focus have made us a trusted leader for more than 140 years!

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance or equivalent experience is required
2 + years relevant accounting experience required
Understanding basic accounting principles, ability to interpret financial statements, and efficiently and effectively research, compile and analyze information
Must be detail oriented, able to maintain a high degree of accuracy, work independently, meet established deadlines, handle multiple tasks, and prioritize effectively
Ability to learn systems and applications used within the firm required, proficiency with system and applications strongly preferred

Nice To Haves

Private asset accounting experience and fund admin background helpful but not required.
CPA or other applicable certifications preferred
Public Accounting Experience is preferred
Experience with Allvue, PAM and Alterx is preferred

Responsibilities

Apply sophisticated accounting analysis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), tax regulations, or other regulatory guidance.
Perform complex transaction processing and exception handling.
Provide oversight and/or execution of month-end accounting processes including cash flow analysis, reconciliations, and general journal entries.
Interpret financial reports and accounts, identify and evaluate risks and opportunities and present findings to management for decision making.
Partner with fund administrators to execute timely and accurate NAV calculation of funds which includes accounting for purchases, sales, income accruals and expenses, to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
Act as the subject matter expert and work with project owners to ensure accounting objectives are met through the design and implementation of new processes and/or systems.
Carry out testing to ensure the system or process is operating as intended.
Escalate any findings/variances/issues as needed.
Identify and implement operational excellence projects, providing business requirements for new systems or improvements.
Assist with new client structures and PAC fund formation activities across multiple functions, including the setup and launch of new funds and financial products.
Assist in the development and implementation of governance frameworks and financial controls.
Monitor control structure and escalate issues as vital.
Drive remediation plans for control deficiencies.
Coordinate with external auditors as part of the planning and execution of the annual external audits.
Produce recurring investor reports and ad hoc investor requests.