What You'll Do

We’re looking for a Senior Accounting Analyst to join our Retirement & Income Solutions Accounting and Finance Department. In this role, you’ll have responsibilities for establishing accounting patterns and controls for projects impacting accounting systems and processes, new products, and strategic initiatives. In addition, you will be involved with financial reporting as well as SOX and auditor oversight. RIS is the flagship business unit for Principal and in the initial stages of a multi-year transformation journey to modernize and streamline processes and systems. In addition, Principal is beginning a multi-year enterprise initiative to transform our ledger and other financial systems. In this role you will report to the Chief Accounting Officer and work with other teams and leaders in RIS Finance along with Corporate Accounting, RIS operations teams, IT, and many others. This role requires strong communication and collaboration skills across teams, with business partners, and with peers in other business units. The ideal candidate will enjoy the opportunity to lead and participate in multiple projects, challenge the status quo, research, and resolve discrepancies, establish, and monitor internal control structures, and search for opportunities to leverage innovation for efficiencies.

Here are few examples of job responsibilities:

• Lead and participate in projects focused on designing and implementing system and process changes, particularly those related to accounting and internal controls.

• Analyze and document the flow of financial data from administrative systems to the general ledger and other financial outputs, ensuring proper controls are in place.

• Research and resolve system balancing discrepancies, collaborating with appropriate business partners as necessary.

• Manage, review, and optimize controls activities related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and external auditor requests. Evaluate key risks and the appropriateness and completeness of internal controls. Escalate issues and drive necessary collaboration for control deficiency remediation plans.

• Develop and maintain relationships with business unit leadership and process owners, corporate liaisons, RIS Finance leadership, and external auditors related to systems, processes and controls.

• 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 equivalent experience required.

• 6 + years of relevant accounting experience required.

• CPA or other applicable certifications strongly preferred.

• Public Accounting auditing experience strongly preferred.

• Insurance or retirement industry knowledge preferred.

• A self-starter, independent worker with excellent communication and collaboration skills.

• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously and meet deadlines.

• Experience related to identifying and documenting processes, risks, and controls is highly desired.

• Prior knowledge of financial statement preparation including its link with administration or other supporting systems is preferred.

• Experience with various general ledger and reporting tools such as Peoplesoft, Excel, Dodeca SmartView and Black Line is highly desired.

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)

$100800 - $167000 / 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 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). You’ll work with your leader to figure out which option may align best based on several factors.

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 (https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-nonimmigrant-workers) and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants (https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/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 (https://www.principal.com/about-us/careers) 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

3/6/2025

Most Recently Posted Date

3/6/2025

LinkedIn Remote Hashtag

#LI-Remote