What You'll Do:
We are looking for an Assistant Director- Investment Accounting (Consolidated Accounting) to join our Investment Accounting-ACA Team. You’ll be responsible for delivering complex accounting and reporting tasks for advanced investment strategies and asset classes. You will work closely with portfolio managers, investment operations, risk, compliance, tax, internal/external auditors, and technology teams to ensure robust reporting and control practices.
Investment Accounting & Financial Reporting
- Perform and review complex investment accounting activities, including trade capture, income accruals, valuation, impairments, consolidations, and advanced hedging for diverse asset types including equities, fixed income, structured products, private placements, private asset funds, alternatives, and derivatives
- Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, internal management reporting (e.g., quarterly results, board materials, earnings call preparation), and external reporting requirements (e.g., SEC and other regulatory filings, including international filings)
- Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP, client mandates, internal policies, and regulatory guidance, acting as a subject matter expert rather than managing a team
- Provide expert consultation to portfolio management teams on accounting implications of sophisticated investment strategies and transactions
- Manage cash management proposals and maintain vendor relationships independently
Consolidated Accounting
- Prepare and review consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including consolidation of investment entities, variable interest entities (VIEs), and other complex structures as applicable
- Execute and review consolidation entries, including intercompany eliminations, equity method adjustments, noncontrolling interest, and roll forwards to support period-end close
- Partner with Investment Accounting Policy, Tax, Legal Entity Controllers, and Reporting Teams to support legal entity and management consolidations, ensuring alignment of source data, ownership structures, and accounting conclusions
- Maintain and enhance consolidation processes, controls, and documentation, including reconciliations between sub-ledgers, general ledger, and consolidation tools
Project Management & System Implementation
- Serve as a senior subject matter expert for accounting on key firmwide initiatives including new product launches, platform migrations, and system enhancements, contributing individually without leading project teams
- Collaborate with technology and data teams to help develop automated solutions for reporting efficiency and accuracy, focusing on individual contributions rather than managing others
Compliance, Controls, and Risk Management
- Lead enhancement of internal control framework for investment accounting and reporting processes
- Design and execute sophisticated risk mitigation strategies, including documentation and remediation of control deficiencies
- Manage complex audit relationships and oversee comprehensive documentation preparation
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Business Support
- Serve as senior technical advisor between accounting and other key teams
- Provide expert technical guidance on accounting impacts of complex investment vehicles, restructures, impairments, and valuation adjustments
- Lead complex analysis and scenario modeling for investment performance and risk assessment
Continuous Improvement & Strategic Insight
- Evaluate and implement changes in accounting standards and regulations
- Drive process improvement initiatives and innovation within area of expertise
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, Finance, or related field; Master’s degree or advanced certification preferred
- 8+ years of comprehensive accounting experience in asset management or financial services
- Expert-level knowledge of investment products and strategies, including complex structured securities, private credit, hedge funds, and derivatives
- Extensive experience with investment accounting systems
- Advanced Excel skills and expert proficiency with reporting/analytics tools
- Outstanding technical and communication abilities
- Proven track record of driving process improvements and managing complex projects
- This position may require successful completion of a criminal background check
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:
$141000 - $191000 / 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:
About Principal Asset Management
Principal Asset Management is the global investment solutions business for Principal Financial Group® (Nasdaq: PFG), managing $579.8 billion in assets including $102.2 billion in real estate assets, and recognized as a “Best Places to Work in Money Management” for 13 consecutive years. We are a global leader in data center investment and asset management, with $11 billion in assets under management. Since entering the data center sector in 2007, we have completed 28 transactions across 19 markets and 6 countries. Our strategy spans development, value-add acquisitions, disciplined market selection, and partnerships with leading operators and investors.
Work Environments
This role offers in-office, hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical work week) from Des Moines, IA.
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.
Date First Posted (TTF):
4/14/2026
Latest Post Date: Careers - US:
4/14/2026