Investment Accountant/Senior Investment Accountant

Summary

EquiTrust Life Insurance Company is a national carrier of annuity products serving clients through multiple distribution channels. The Investment Accountant or Senior Investment Accountant will support investment accounting, financial reporting, data integrity, reconciliations, and reporting activities across the company’s investment portfolio. The role will record and analyze investment activity, resolve accounting and data issues, support audits and regulatory reporting, and contribute to process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Record investment accounting entries in the general ledger for multiple legal entities
• Investigate and resolve unapplied cash, receivables, payables, and other investment-related accounting items
• Review and resolve reconciliation differences among investment accounting, data warehouse, custody, and trading systems
• Maintain organized workpapers and support monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities
• Analyze and reconcile investment activity across asset classes, including fixed-income securities, private placements, options, swaps, equities, and alternative investments
• Monitor trade activity, portfolio earnings calculations, realized gains and losses, and other investment-related activity
• Support the preparation of investment portfolio reports, statutory financial statements, investment schedules, footnotes, disclosures, and management reporting
• Research technical and transactional accounting issues and recommend appropriate solutions
• Assist internal and external auditors, regulators, and other stakeholders by providing requested documentation and resolving inquiries
• Review investment accounting information and perform trend analysis to identify inconsistencies, risks, or emerging issues
• Use exception-management processes and tools to support the accuracy and integrity of investment data
• Troubleshoot data-related issues across investment systems, including Princeton for Investments/PAM, BlackRock Aladdin, the investment data warehouse, and external investment and ratings data sources
• Support the maintenance and enhancement of the investment data warehouse, reporting tools, controls, and workflows
• Assist with the development of new reports, ledgers, and processes for investment-related projects
• Identify opportunities to strengthen controls, improve processes, and enhance the quality of investment accounting and reporting
• Partner with Investment, Finance, Operations, and other business areas to meet accounting and reporting requirements
• Develop knowledge of complex investments and their applicable statutory accounting treatment
• Support the Investment Accounting team and other departments as business needs arise
• Contribute to department and Company goals by working collaboratively and fostering a respectful, positive, and inclusive workplace
• Take on additional responsibilities as needed to support department and organizational objectives
• Completes and supports day-to-day investment accounting, reconciliation, and reporting activities
• Records general ledger entries and assists with monthly and quarterly close processes
• Investigates accounting and data discrepancies with guidance from senior team members
• Supports statutory reporting, portfolio reporting, audit requests, and special projects
• Builds technical knowledge of investment products, systems, and statutory accounting requirements
• Reviews trade activity, portfolio earnings, realized gains and losses, and investment-related calculations
• Independently manages complex investment accounting, reconciliation, and reporting activities
• Prepares and reviews quarterly and annual statutory investment schedules, footnotes, disclosures, and management reports
• Reviews general ledger entries, workpapers, reconciliations, and investment performance data
• Researches complex technical and transactional accounting matters and recommends solutions
• Leads or contributes to control enhancements, data-quality initiatives, and process-improvement projects
• Coordinates with internal and external auditors and supports the resolution of complex inquiries
• Develops and maintains investment accounting policies, procedures, and documentation
• Partners directly with front- and middle-office Investment personnel to ensure reporting requirements are met
• Mentors and trains junior team members on investment accounting concepts, systems, and reporting requirements
• Monitors regulatory and statutory accounting developments that may affect the investment portfolio

Skills

• * At least 1 year of investment accounting or similar relevant experience
• * At least 3 years of investment accounting experience
• * At least 2 years of experience within insurance, investments, or a related financial services environment
• * Experience preparing statutory financial statements or Blue Book schedules
• * Working knowledge of investment accounting and operations systems
• * Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• * Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills
• * Knowledge of investment accounting principles, financial reporting, and reconciliation processes
• * Ability to analyze detailed financial information and communicate findings clearly
• * Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• * High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• * Ability to exercise sound judgment and appropriately handle confidential and proprietary information
• * Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
• * Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with internal and external partners
• * Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word
• * Ability to work effectively as both an individual contributor and a collaborative team member
• * For the Senior Investment Accountant level, the ability to mentor, train, and positively influence other team members
• * Primarily sedentary work involving frequent sitting and computer use
• * Ability to communicate effectively and participate in meetings
• * Occasional standing, walking, reaching, bending, and lifting or carrying items weighing up to 20 pounds
• * Ability to perform fine hand movements associated with computer and office equipment use
• * Location: Chicago, Illinois
• * Work Arrangements: Mostly Off-Site
• * Travel Requirements: Infrequent travel, generally less than 5% of the time
• * Experience in life insurance, annuities, or investments is preferred
• * Experience preparing statutory financial statements or Blue Book schedules is preferred
• * CPA designation is preferred for the Senior Investment Accountant level
• * Familiarity with PAM for Investments, BlackRock Aladdin, BusinessObjects, or similar investment systems is preferred

Qualifications

Must Haves

• * At least 1 year of investment accounting or similar relevant experience
• * At least 3 years of investment accounting experience
• * At least 2 years of experience within insurance, investments, or a related financial services environment
• * Experience preparing statutory financial statements or Blue Book schedules
• * Working knowledge of investment accounting and operations systems
• * Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• * Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills
• * Knowledge of investment accounting principles, financial reporting, and reconciliation processes
• * Ability to analyze detailed financial information and communicate findings clearly
• * Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• * High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• * Ability to exercise sound judgment and appropriately handle confidential and proprietary information
• * Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
• * Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with internal and external partners
• * Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word
• * Ability to work effectively as both an individual contributor and a collaborative team member
• * For the Senior Investment Accountant level, the ability to mentor, train, and positively influence other team members
• * Primarily sedentary work involving frequent sitting and computer use
• * Ability to communicate effectively and participate in meetings
• * Occasional standing, walking, reaching, bending, and lifting or carrying items weighing up to 20 pounds
• * Ability to perform fine hand movements associated with computer and office equipment use
• * Location: Chicago, Illinois
• * Work Arrangements: Mostly Off-Site
• * Travel Requirements: Infrequent travel, generally less than 5% of the time

Nice to Haves

• * Experience in life insurance, annuities, or investments is preferred
• * Experience preparing statutory financial statements or Blue Book schedules is preferred
• * CPA designation is preferred for the Senior Investment Accountant level
• * Familiarity with PAM for Investments, BlackRock Aladdin, BusinessObjects, or similar investment systems is preferred

Benefits

• Eligible employees may receive annual discretionary incentive bonuses.
• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid time off: Vacation, Sick, Holiday, and more
• Paid Parental Leave for both Mothers and Fathers
• Hybrid/Remote Work Options
• Early Friday Closure