Assistant Director/ Director-Investment Accounting

Principal Financial Group is seeking an Assistant Director/Director of Investment Accounting in Des Moines, IA. The role involves leading a team of accounting professionals, applying advanced accounting standards, and managing complex investment accounting processes. Key responsibilities include oversight of month-end accounting, project leadership, compliance improvement, and team management. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, at least 8 years of experience, and strong leadership skills.
What You'll Do

We’re looking for an Assistant Director/ Director - Accounting to join our Investment Accounting - ACA team to lead a team of accounting/finance professionals. In this role, you’ll demonstrate advanced level of understanding accounting standards, expertise within a function, business strategy to solve problems and develop expected outcomes for complex situations. This role will be expected to interact with the various functions across the organization, including internal/external investment managers, internal/external auditors, investment operations, treasury, and accounting team members. Experience with accounting for various investment types, including derivatives, fixed income, equities, and alternative investments is beneficial. At this level, incumbents solve unique and complex problems that have a broad impact on the business.
• Apply sophisticated investment accounting analysis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), statutory accounting principles (SAP), 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/trade processing, reconciliations, and general journal entries. Interpret third party manager reports to support financial reporting results.
• Projects: act as the subject matter expert and work with project owner to ensure accounting and internal control objectives are met through the design and implementation of new products 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 enhancements.
• Leadership: lead and manage staff including hiring, training, career development, and financial management. Provide compensation administration, rewards and recognition, performance management, coaching and mentoring. Oversee team projects and fostering a high-performing, collaborative work environment.
• Compliance and Controls: Contribute to the improvement of risk-based financial controls; develop solutions for the effectiveness of new or existing controls to manage business risks and develop and drive implementation of action plans to remediate control deficiencies.
• Perform other duties or essential functions as needed.

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!

Who You Are
• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance or equivalent experience plus a minimum of 8 years of relevant investment accounting experience required
• CPA or other applicable certifications is a plus
• Strong people leadership skill and ability to effectively manage
• Must possess the following strengths: high energy, motivated leader, problem-solving skills
• Demonstrate the ability to drive change, challenge the status quo, attention to detail, problem-solving and identify opportunities for process improvement
• Naturally curious to interrogate and validate investment accounting information
• Self-starter, highly motivated and ability to work on their own initiatives
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Advanced user of Microsoft Excel
• Experience with PFI (PAM for Investments) or other Investment Accounting tools is a plus

Salary Range Information

Salary ranges below reflect targeted base salaries. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation for all roles will be based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.
Salary Range (Non-Exempt expressed as hourly; Exempt expressed as yearly)

$123000 - $185000 / year
Time Off Program

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. Employees don’t accrue a bank of time off under FTO and there is no set number of days provided.
Pension Eligible

Yes
Additional Information

Work Environments

This role offers an in-office and hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek) work arrangement in Des Moines, IA.

Job Level

We’ll consider talent at the next level with the right experiences and skills.

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.

Principal is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Posting Window

We will accept applications for 3 full days following the Original Posting Date, after which the posting may remain open or be removed based upon applications received. If we choose to post the job again, we will accept additional applications for at least 1 full day following the Most Recently Posted Date. Please submit applications in a timely manner as there is no guarantee the posting will be available beyond the applicable deadline.
Original Posting Date

5/7/2025
Most Recently Posted Date

5/7/2025

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