Sr Associate Accountant

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

Benefits offered by this job

Pension eligible

Job summary

Principal Financial Group is seeking a Senior Associate Accountant to support the Private Markets Financial Planning and Analysis team. You will provide meaningful reporting, validate transactions with analysis, and collaborate with the private debt fund reporting team to support fund operations.

The role emphasizes compliance with accounting standards, month-end close duties, and interaction with auditors. A hybrid in-office arrangement in Des Moines, IA is available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance or equivalent experience is required.
• CPA or other applicable certifications preferred.
• Experience with real estate is a plus, but not required.
• Microsoft M365 experience or other AI integration ideal.

Responsibilities

• Produce financial reports used to provide business updates for management.
• Review accuracy of recorded transactions using analysis and trends.
• Assist with private fund reporting and operations with the private debt fund reporting team.
• Coordinate with real estate contacts to produce monthly forecasts based on assumptions.
• Work with internal and external auditors to support audits and compliance filings.
• Oversee month-end accounting processes including cash flow analysis, reconciliations, and general journal entries.
• Participate in projects to improve controls and processes and support company initiatives.

Skills

Problem solving

Real estate experience

Microsoft M365 / AI integration

Education

CPA or other certifications preferred

Tools

Microsoft M365

Job description

What You’ll Do

We’re looking for an Senior Associate Accountant to help support our Private Markets Financial Planning and Analysis team! Candidates for this role are expected to use problem solving skills along with existing solutions to help provide meaningful reporting in an ever-changing and growing business. Additionally, incumbents should demonstrate awareness and knowledge of applicable professional accounting standards.

Responsibilities of this role include:

• Produce a variety of financial reports utilized to provide business updates for management.
• Review the accuracy/legitimacy of recorded financial transactions using trending and other analysis.
• Work closely with the private debt fund reporting team to assist with private fund reporting and operations as needed.
• Partner with real estate business contacts to produce monthly forecasts based on business expectations and assumptions.
• Work with internal and external auditors to ensure timely completion of annual audits and other compliance filings.
• Provide oversight and/or execute month-end accounting processes including cash flow analysis, reconciliations, and general journal entries.
• Project work to improve existing controls/processes and execute company initiatives.

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 is required
• CPA or other applicable certifications preferred

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• Experience with real estate a plus, but not required
• Microsoft M365 experience or other AI integration ideal

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

10/6/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

10/6/2026

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.