Sr Associate Investment Accountant

Principal Financial Group • Des Moines, IA

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

Join the private debt fund reporting team within Principal Asset Management and contribute to financial oversight and reporting for third-party commercial real estate debt funds. The role provides exposure to fund accounting, investment and investor reporting, audits, tax, and the financial lifecycle of alternative fund investments. It also offers visibility into underlying commercial real estate investments, fund performance, and investor returns, with collaboration across investment teams, fund administrators, auditors, tax professionals, and other stakeholders.

The position involves preparing and reviewing fund-level financial statements, investment reporting, reconciliations, supporting schedules, and investor deliverables; supporting monthly close and investigating variances; coordinating with internal and external partners; and assisting with audits and other fund accounting activities. The successful candidate will take increasing ownership of accounting and reporting processes over time.

The role offers an in-office or hybrid arrangement from Des Moines, Iowa, with hybrid work involving at least three office days in a typical work week. Salary is $73,150–$99,750 per year. Salaried exempt employees receive Flexible Time Off, and the position is pension eligible. Non-sales positions may participate in a bonus program. Applicants needing immigration sponsorship now or in the future are not being considered. The role is subject to Principal Asset Management’s Investment Code of Ethics, including requirements concerning personal and business conduct and personal trading activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance, or equivalent experience.
• At least 2 years of relevant accounting experience.
• Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP.
• Strong reconciliation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and a controls mindset.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, lookups, pivot tables, reconciliations, and analysis of large datasets.
• Financial reporting and audit coordination experience.
• Experience with fund or investment accounting, including NAVs, capital activity, accruals, and financial reporting.
• Experience supporting tax coordination and investor reporting.
• Public accounting or audit experience.
• Experience with Yardi or other real estate or fund accounting systems.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review fund-level financial statements, investment reporting, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Support monthly fund close activities and investigate accounting or reporting variances.
• Coordinate with external auditors, tax providers, fund administrators, and internal business partners.
• Support investor reporting, including capital activity, allocations, statements, and related deliverables.
• Help manage audit requests, workpapers, reporting deadlines, and other fund accounting activities.
• Take increasing ownership of accounting and reporting processes as experience in the role develops.

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off for salaried exempt employees; there is no accrued time bank or set number of days.
• Pension eligibility.
• Opportunity for non-sales employees to participate in a bonus program.
• Comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings intended to support physical, financial, and social well-being.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior