What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Accountant position at Principal Financial Group?
What You'll Do
We’re looking for a Senior Accountant to join Principal’s Retirement & Income Solutions (RIS) Expense team. This team is responsible for forecasting and reporting expenses across all RIS cost centers, allocating costs, tracking strategic project spend and outcomes, calculating key performance indicators, and preparing external reports, including benchmarking studies.
In this role, you’ll partner closely with finance and operational leaders to support expense forecasting, monitoring, and overall financial decision-making. You’ll analyze and present expense data, provide insights, and help enhance and transform reporting deliverables to improve efficiency and impact.
We’re seeking a highly motivated, self-starter who thrives in a collaborative environment. This role requires strong analytical and communication skills, along with the ability to influence others through informal leadership. There is also potential for formal leadership opportunities in the future.
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
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)
$84600 - $152400 / 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
5/11/2026
Most Recently Posted Date
5/8/2026
We’re looking for a Senior Accountant to join Principal’s Retirement & Income Solutions (RIS) Expense team. This team is responsible for forecasting and reporting expenses across all RIS cost centers, allocating costs, tracking strategic project spend and outcomes, calculating key performance indicators, and preparing external reports, including benchmarking studies.
In this role, you’ll partner closely with finance and operational leaders to support expense forecasting, monitoring, and overall financial decision-making. You’ll analyze and present expense data, provide insights, and help enhance and transform reporting deliverables to improve efficiency and impact.
We’re seeking a highly motivated, self-starter who thrives in a collaborative environment. This role requires strong analytical and communication skills, along with the ability to influence others through informal leadership. There is also potential for formal leadership opportunities in the future.
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
- 5 years of relevant experience required
- CPA or other applicable certifications preferred
- This position may require successful completion of a criminal background check
- The ideal candidate will serve in an informal leadership role and be motivated by challenging the status quo, collaborating with others, and generating new insights to continue to advance and enhance deliverables
- The role requires strong technical skills. Experience with Excel and PowerPoint is required
- Power BI, or similar software, is strongly preferred
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)
$84600 - $152400 / 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
5/11/2026
Most Recently Posted Date
5/8/2026
Salary : $84,600 - $152,400