Sr Associate Investment Accountant

Principal Financial Group • Des Moines, IA

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are looking for a Senior Associate Investment Accountant to join our Investment Accounting team at Principal Asset Management. In this role, you will be responsible for performing investment accounting and reporting activities across various investment strategies and asset classes. This position collaborates with asset management and servicing, portfolio managers, investment operations, risk, compliance, tax, internal/external auditors, and technology teams to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant investment accounting and reporting supported by strong controls and documentation.

Investment Accounting & Financial Reporting
Perform investment accounting and transaction analysis activities across multiple asset classes, including evaluation of income recognition, yield performance, cash flows, impairments, and valuation changes
Reconcile and validate investment data across multiple accounting and reporting systems to ensure completeness and accuracy
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports and supporting workpapers to validate completeness, accuracy, and compliance with accounting guidance
Research, analyze, and resolve accounting, reporting, and data discrepancies by partnering with internal and external stakeholders
Assess accounting implications of investment strategies, transactions, and classification decisions and escalate matters as appropriate to senior team members
Apply U.S. GAAP and Statutory accounting principles and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for investment transactions across multiple asset classes
Compliance, Controls, and Risk Management
Execute and enhance investment accounting controls to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance of financial reporting
Identify, investigate, and communicate control gaps, data-quality concerns, and operational risks while supporting root-cause resolution
Maintain audit-ready documentation, support internal and external audits, and contribute to walkthroughs and control reviews
Project Implementation & Process Improvement
Participate in and contribute to system implementations, accounting change initiatives, and process redesign efforts impacting investment accounting and reporting
Support user acceptance testing (UAT) and documentation of business and reporting requirements
Identify, design, and implement process improvements, automation opportunities, and reporting enhancements to improve efficiency, scalability, and control effectiveness in reporting and reconciliation processes
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Business Support
Coordinate with cross-functional partners to ensure consistent and accurate treatment of investment data
Analyze reporting trends, accounting results, and process outputs to identify issues, explain fluctuations, and provide actionable insights to stakeholders
Serve as a primary contact for assigned processes, independently resolve routine issues, and partner with investment operations, portfolio management, tax, risk, compliance, and technology teams to address more complex matters and improve outcomes
Continuous Improvement & Strategic Insight
Develop subject matter expertise in assigned accounting processes, asset classes, and systems while supporting documentation, cross-training, and knowledge transfer across the team
Stay current on investment accounting standards, NAIC guidance, regulatory requirements, and best practices
Identify and recommend improvements to controls, workflows, and operating procedures to enhance efficiency and control
Leverage technology and data tools to reduce manual processes and improve the quality of accounting and reporting outputs.
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, Finance, or related field or equivalent work experience is required
• Minimum of 2+ years of relevant accounting experience in financial services is required
• Advanced Excel skills required
• This position may require successful completion of a criminal background check
• Detail-oriented with demonstrated ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and solve problems in a dynamic environment
• Demonstrated curiosity and critical-thinking skills with the ability to understand business impacts, challenge assumptions, and identify practical solutions to accounting and reporting issues
• Excellent communication and analytical skills

Nice To Haves

• Experience researching and resolving accounting or reconciliation discrepancies is preferred
• Working knowledge of common investment products and strategies or insurance investment accounting is preferred
• experience with Power Query, reporting tools, automation solutions, or investment accounting systems such as PFI (PAM for Investments) is preferred
• CPA designation or progress toward CPA certification is a plus

Responsibilities

• Perform investment accounting and transaction analysis activities across multiple asset classes, including evaluation of income recognition, yield performance, cash flows, impairments, and valuation changes
• Reconcile and validate investment data across multiple accounting and reporting systems to ensure completeness and accuracy
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports and supporting workpapers to validate completeness, accuracy, and compliance with accounting guidance
• Research, analyze, and resolve accounting, reporting, and data discrepancies by partnering with internal and external stakeholders
• Assess accounting implications of investment strategies, transactions, and classification decisions and escalate matters as appropriate to senior team members
• Apply U.S. GAAP and Statutory accounting principles and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for investment transactions across multiple asset classes
• Execute and enhance investment accounting controls to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance of financial reporting
• Identify, investigate, and communicate control gaps, data-quality concerns, and operational risks while supporting root-cause resolution
• Maintain audit-ready documentation, support internal and external audits, and contribute to walkthroughs and control reviews
• Participate in and contribute to system implementations, accounting change initiatives, and process redesign efforts impacting investment accounting and reporting
• Support user acceptance testing (UAT) and documentation of business and reporting requirements
• Identify, design, and implement process improvements, automation opportunities, and reporting enhancements to improve efficiency, scalability, and control effectiveness in reporting and reconciliation processes
• Coordinate with cross-functional partners to ensure consistent and accurate treatment of investment data
• Analyze reporting trends, accounting results, and process outputs to identify issues, explain fluctuations, and provide actionable insights to stakeholders
• Serve as a primary contact for assigned processes, independently resolve routine issues, and partner with investment operations, portfolio management, tax, risk, compliance, and technology teams to address more complex matters and improve outcomes
• Develop subject matter expertise in assigned accounting processes, asset classes, and systems while supporting documentation, cross-training, and knowledge transfer across the team
• Stay current on investment accounting standards, NAIC guidance, regulatory requirements, and best practices
• Identify and recommend improvements to controls, workflows, and operating procedures to enhance efficiency and control
• Leverage technology and data tools to reduce manual processes and improve the quality of accounting and reporting outputs

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off (FTO) is provided to salaried (exempt) employees and provides the opportunity to take time away from the office with pay for vacation, personal or short-term illness.
• Pension Eligible
• comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect their physical, financial, and social well-being.

What This Job Offers

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