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 

• 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
• Experience researching and resolving accounting or reconciliation discrepancies is preferred 
• Working knowledge of common investment products and strategies or insurance investment accounting is preferred 
• Advanced Excel skills required; 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 
• 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 
• This position may require successful completion of a criminal background check 

The following locations are examples of market-specific salary ranges across different geographies.

Work Environments

This role offers in-office, hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek), and remote work arrangements (only if residing more than 30 miles from Des Moines, IA, Charlotte, NC, and Raleigh, NC). You’ll work with your leader to figure out which option may align best based on several factors.

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we're not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please use the following links.

Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants

Investment Code of Ethics

For Principal Asset Management positions, you’ll need to follow an Investment Code of Ethics related to personal and business conduct as well as personal trading activities for you and members of your household. These same requirements may also apply to other positions across the organization.

Experience Principal

At Principal, we value connecting on both a personal and professional level. Together, we’re imagining a more purpose-led future for financial services – and that starts with you. Our success depends on the unique experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our employees. And we support our employees the same way we support our customers: with comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect their physical, financial, and social well-being. Check out our careers site to learn more about our purpose, values and benefits.

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