Sr Associate Accountant

Principal Financial Group; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Des Moines, IA in-office

Job summary

Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, IA is seeking a Senior Associate Accountant to join the RIS External Financial Reporting team. You will contribute to US GAAP and statutory financial reporting for multiple entities, support regulatory filings, and assist with SOX controls and documentation in a hybrid in-office setting.

The role offers exposure to various reporting areas and opportunities to improve processes with automation and analytics, including SQL and SAS tools, while collaborating

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in accounting or related field.
• 2+ years of accounting or finance experience required.
• Proficiency in Excel and working knowledge of Office apps required.
• Experience with US GAAP, statutory reporting, or SOX controls is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and support monthly, quarterly, and annual US GAAP and statutory financial reporting for Principal entities, including journal entries, ledger analysis, and financial statement schedules and disclosures.
• Use Excel, general ledger data, and reporting or query tools (SQL, SAS Enterprise Guide where applicable) to analyze data and support reporting.
• Collaborate with team members and business partners to meet reporting deadlines and adapt to changing priorities and new transactions.
• Identify and implement process improvements, including automation and AI tools such as Copilot, to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Assist with regulatory filings and financial statement preparation
• Support SOX controls by performing control activities and maintaining documentation.
• Research and summarize accounting guidance and emerging requirements, with guidance from senior team members.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

SQL

SAS Enterprise Guide

Job description

What You'll Do

We are looking for a Senior Associate Accountant to join Principal’s Retirement & Income Solutions (RIS) External Financial Reporting team. This team is responsible for US GAAP and Statutory financials for several Principal entities, multiple regulatory filings, application of emerging guidance, as well as SOX controls and reporting. The position offers exposure to multiple reporting areas and the opportunity to work across various projects and business needs.

What You'll Do

We are looking for a Senior Associate Accountant to join Principal’s Retirement & Income Solutions (RIS) External Financial Reporting team. This team is responsible for US GAAP and Statutory financials for several Principal entities, multiple regulatory filings, application of emerging guidance, as well as SOX controls and reporting. The position offers exposure to multiple reporting areas and the opportunity to work across various projects and business needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and support monthly, quarterly, and annual US GAAP and statutory financial reporting for Principal entities, including journal entries, ledger analysis, and financial statement schedules and disclosures.
• Use Excel, general ledger data, and reporting or query tools (SQL, SAS Enterprise Guide where applicable) to analyze data and support reporting.
• Collaborate with team members and business partners to meet reporting deadlines and adapt to changing priorities and new transactions.
• Identify and implement process improvements, including automation and AI tools such as Copilot, to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Assist with regulatory filings and financial statement preparation
• Support SOX controls by performing control activities and maintaining documentation.
• Research and summarize accounting guidance and emerging requirements, with guidance from senior team members.

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.
• 2+ years of accounting or finance experience is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., lookups, pivot tables, IF statements) and working knowledge of other Microsoft Office applications is required.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple responsibilities and adapt to changing priorities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated with a willingness to learn and take on new responsibilities.

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• CPA designation or active progress toward a CPA or other professional certification.
• Experience in public accounting or working with financial reporting, regulatory reporting, or financial statement preparation.
• Exposure to SQL, query-based reporting tools, or SAS Enterprise Guide.
• Experience or interest in using AI and automation tools to improve accounting processes.
• Familiarity with insurance or financial services accounting.

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 - $79800 / 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 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.

Original Posting Date

11/9/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

11/9/2026

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