Investment Accountant/Senior Investment Accountant

EquiTrust Life Insurance Company•Chicago, IL

10h•$32 - $57•Hybrid

About The Position

EquiTrust Life Insurance Company is a national carrier of competitive, client-friendly annuity products sold through a variety of distribution channels, including more than 20,000 independent agents and independent marketing organizations (IMOs). Since 2003, we have provided exceptional customer service to our clients by operating with integrity and passion. Our efforts are supported by a dedicated workforce who execute their responsibilities through teamwork and an entrepreneurial spirit. EquiTrust sells products nationwide and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with operations in West Des Moines, Iowa. As an Investment Accountant or Senior Investment Accountant, you will support investment accounting, financial reporting, data integrity, and reconciliation activities across EquiTrust’s investment portfolio. You will work closely with the Investment Accounting team and other business partners to record and analyze investment activity, resolve accounting and data-related issues, and meet internal and external reporting requirements.

Requirements

At least 1 year of investment accounting or similar relevant experience (Investment Accountant).
At least 3 years of investment accounting experience (Senior Investment Accountant).
At least 2 years of experience within insurance, investments, or a related financial services environment (Senior Investment Accountant).
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of investment accounting principles, financial reporting, and reconciliation processes.
Ability to analyze detailed financial information and communicate findings clearly.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and appropriately handle confidential and proprietary information.
Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with internal and external partners.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
Ability to work effectively as both an individual contributor and a collaborative team member.

Nice To Haves

Experience in life insurance, annuities, or investments is preferred (Investment Accountant).
Experience preparing statutory financial statements or Blue Book schedules is preferred (Investment Accountant).
CPA designation is preferred for the Senior Investment Accountant level.
Familiarity with PAM for Investments, BlackRock Aladdin, BusinessObjects, or similar investment systems is preferred.
For the Senior Investment Accountant level, the ability to mentor, train, and positively influence other team members.

Responsibilities

Record investment accounting entries in the general ledger for multiple legal entities.
Investigate and resolve unapplied cash, receivables, payables, and other investment-related accounting items.
Review and resolve reconciliation differences among investment accounting, data warehouse, custody, and trading systems.
Maintain organized workpapers and support monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities.
Analyze and reconcile investment activity across asset classes, including fixed-income securities, private placements, options, swaps, equities, and alternative investments.
Monitor trade activity, portfolio earnings calculations, realized gains and losses, and other investment-related activity.
Support the preparation of investment portfolio reports, statutory financial statements, investment schedules, footnotes, disclosures, and management reporting.
Research technical and transactional accounting issues and recommend appropriate solutions.
Assist internal and external auditors, regulators, and other stakeholders by providing requested documentation and resolving inquiries.
Review investment accounting information and perform trend analysis to identify inconsistencies, risks, or emerging issues.
Use exception-management processes and tools to support the accuracy and integrity of investment data.
Troubleshoot data-related issues across investment systems, including Princeton for Investments/PAM, BlackRock Aladdin, the investment data warehouse, and external investment and ratings data sources.
Support the maintenance and enhancement of the investment data warehouse, reporting tools, controls, and workflows.
Assist with the development of new reports, ledgers, and processes for investment-related projects.
Identify opportunities to strengthen controls, improve processes, and enhance the quality of investment accounting and reporting.
Partner with Investment, Finance, Operations, and other business areas to meet accounting and reporting requirements.
Develop knowledge of complex investments and their applicable statutory accounting treatment.
Support the Investment Accounting team and other departments as business needs arise.
Contribute to department and Company goals by working collaboratively and fostering a respectful, positive, and inclusive workplace.
Take on additional responsibilities as needed to support department and organizational objectives.
Completes and supports day-to-day investment accounting, reconciliation, and reporting activities (Investment Accountant).
Records general ledger entries and assists with monthly and quarterly close processes (Investment Accountant).
Investigates accounting and data discrepancies with guidance from senior team members (Investment Accountant).
Supports statutory reporting, portfolio reporting, audit requests, and special projects (Investment Accountant).
Builds technical knowledge of investment products, systems, and statutory accounting requirements (Investment Accountant).
Reviews trade activity, portfolio earnings, realized gains and losses, and investment-related calculations (Investment Accountant).
Demonstrates ownership, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn and develop within the role (Investment Accountant).
Independently manages complex investment accounting, reconciliation, and reporting activities (Senior Investment Accountant).
Prepares and reviews quarterly and annual statutory investment schedules, footnotes, disclosures, and management reports (Senior Investment Accountant).
Reviews general ledger entries, workpapers, reconciliations, and investment performance data (Senior Investment Accountant).
Researches complex technical and transactional accounting matters and recommends solutions (Senior Investment Accountant).
Leads or contributes to control enhancements, data-quality initiatives, and process-improvement projects (Senior Investment Accountant).
Coordinates with internal and external auditors and supports the resolution of complex inquiries (Senior Investment Accountant).
Develops and maintains investment accounting policies, procedures, and documentation (Senior Investment Accountant).
Partners directly with front- and middle-office Investment personnel to ensure reporting requirements are met (Senior Investment Accountant).
Mentors and trains junior team members on investment accounting concepts, systems, and reporting requirements (Senior Investment Accountant).
Monitors regulatory and statutory accounting developments that may affect the investment portfolio (Senior Investment Accountant).