Investment Ops Analyst

Principal Financial Group; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Remote work option

Job summary

Principal Financial Group is seeking an Investment Operations Analyst to join the Separate Account Operations team. You will independently perform procedures, analysis, and report preparation to support the department and internal service areas, resolving advanced issues with minimal guidance.

You’ll contribute to projects, system improvements, and ensure readiness for trading and client reporting. The role requires 3+ years in accounting/finance/economics and a bachelor’s degree.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of accounting, finance or economics experience.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in accounting/finance/economics/business preferred.
• Experience in investment/mutual fund operations or related field desired.
• Knowledge of finance/investments terminology helpful.
• Experience with SQL, SAS and/or Power BI; AI capabilities a plus.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, interpersonal, time management, planning, and communication skills required.
• Must be detail oriented.
• Basic PC/system skills required.
• Must have initiative, be a self-starter and work independently.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform procedures, analysis and report preparation to support the department.
• Handle investment administration, account reconciliation, reporting, transaction management, compliance, data, trade support, and revenue sharing activities.
• Educate and support internal/external stakeholders; participate in projects and system improvements.

Skills

SQL

SAS

Power BI

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/economics/business

Job description

What You'll Do

We’re looking for an Investment Operations Analyst to join our Separate Account Operations team. In this role, you'll independently perform procedures, analysis and report preparation to support the department and other internal service areas by answering questions regarding proprietary and non-proprietary investments. You'll detect and resolve advanced problems with minimal guidance. Conduct special analysis and/or provide support to projects. Responsible for investment administration, account reconciliation, reporting, transaction management, compliance, data, trade support activities, revenue sharing activities, or unit value calculations. Support investment initiatives through participation in projects, development and implementation of new programs, process evaluations and/or system improvements.

• Independently complete transactions and resolve problems with recordkeeping, accounting, trade platform and/or pricing system with only minimal mentorship. Serve as a subject matter expert on daily tasks. Build new investments, follow compliance rules, and ensure readiness for trading, reconciliation, settlement, client reporting and/or pricing process. Identify and resolve issues associated with client data, trade breaks, reconciliation breaks, and/or compliance breaches. Prepare reports and retain controls in alignment with internal policies and clients' needs. Participate in projects and/or advance toward taking on lead responsibilities. Recommend, research, test, document and/or progress towards becoming lead on system changes.
• Work with internal and external personnel including senior operations staff, administration, mutual fund companies, IT, banks, broker dealers, custodians, sub-advisors, outside vendors, regulatory agencies and/or industry contracts to educate, provide direction, acquire information and address issues.
• Provide training to team members. Serve as first point of contact for inquiries. Demonstrate expertise in the areas of technical functions, research of issues, problem solving, making decisions independently and effective communication.
• Perform other job related duties or special projects as the need arises.

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

• 3+ years of accounting, finance or economics experience or equivalent, shown through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, or education.
• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in fields such as accounting, finance, economics, or business is preferred.
• Experience in investment/mutual fund operations or related field desired
• Knowledge of terminology related to finance and investments is helpful
• Experience with SQL, SAS, and/or Power BI and willingness to use AI as preferred capabilities
• Solid analytical, problem solving, interpersonal, time management, planning, decision making, and communication skills required
• Must be detailed oriented
• Basic PC and/or system skills required
• Success in this position requires a strong client service orientation. You must work effectively under pressure in a fast paced, team-based environment. You will produce accurate and timely information with minimal direction.
• Must be able to handle multiple, increasingly complex, tasks, prioritize effectively and be flexible as business needs change
• Must have the ability to take initiative, be a self-starter and work independently

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)

$55800 - $100800 / year

Salary Details

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

• Wichita, KS: $55,800 - $75,600 / year
• Des Moines, IA: $58,900 - $79,800 / year
• Charlotte, NC: $62,000 - $84,000 / year
• Chicago/Minneapolis: $68,200 - $92,400 / year
• Los Angeles/New York City: $74,400 - $100,800 / 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

Work Environments

This role offers an in-office hybrid work arrangement as well as fully remote, depending on the candidate. Hybrid will be a blending of at least three office days in a typical workweek and only if residing within 30 miles from Des Moines, IA or Charlotte, NC. You’ll work with your leader to determine which option may align best based on several factors.

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

We are not considering applicants who require any type of immigration sponsorship to work in the United States now or in the future. This includes F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, and similar authorizations. For more information about work authorization, please see the following links.

Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants

Investment Ethical Guidelines

For Principal Asset Management roles, you must adhere to an Investment Code of Ethics concerning personal and business behavior and trading activities for you and your household members. These rules might also apply to other roles within the company.

Experience Principal

At Principal, we value connecting on both a personal and professional level. Together, we’re inventing a more purpose-led future for financial services – and that starts with you. Our success depends on the outstanding 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.

Principal uses artificial intelligence tools to assist in reviewing and evaluating job applications, fraud prevention, and candidate matching and comparisons. These AI tools support our human recruiters in the initial review process but do not make final hiring decisions without human involvement. By submitting your application, you acknowledge this use of AI in our recruitment process. Please review our Workforce (U.S.) Privacy Notice for more details on our practices and your data privacy rights.