Lead Investment Accounting Analyst

At American Equity we offer leading annuity products that help empower our clients to fulfill their needs and wants in retirement. Our success comes from hiring high-energy individuals who embody the beliefs that drive our unique culture. We currently fund over half a million retirements nationwide, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, for over thirty years with satellite offices in Charlotte, NC and New York, NY.

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:   

The Lead Investment Accounting Analyst is responsible for performing accounting, reporting, and analysis for the fixed income and equity investment portfolios of American National Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries.

This role participates in the monthly accounting close process and is involved in the preparation and review of GAAP and Statutory investment disclosures and schedules, rating agency surveys, and IMR and AVR reporting. Reporting to the Director of Investment Accounting, the Lead Analyst will serve as team lead and assist management with supervisory responsibilities. The ideal candidate will possess strong investment accounting experience and demonstrate the ability to function with limited assistance from management.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Responsible for monthly and quarterly investment accounting and reporting, including journal entry activity, reconciliations and GAAP and Statutory disclosures and schedules.
• Work closely with Company’s third-party accounting service provider Clearwater Analytics to ensure accounting and reporting of investments is performed accurately and timely.
• Work with Accounting Policy and Investment Operations to ensure new private assets are set up accurately in the accounting subledgers and general ledger.
• Upload and create schedules in WINGS quarterly and annually for Blue and Green Book reporting.
• Quarterly preparation of IMR and AVR calculations.
• Complete annual surveys and ad hoc data requests from rating agencies (AM Best, S&P and Fitch).
• Provides subject matter expertise and assist with invested assets project efforts and onboarding of new financial instruments as needed.
• Serve as a team lead and offer guidance and direction to associates within the team.
• Work effectively to provide necessary information, reports and analysis for internal/external auditors and internal controls team.
• Perform ad hoc reporting and other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Reports:

None

General Description of Indirect Reports (2 and 3-downs): 

None

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:  

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year credited college or university in accounting, finance or related field of study; plus, five (5) years of progressively responsible related experience in Investment Accounting.
• Prior experience and proficiency with SAP, PAM, BlackRock Aladdin, Clearwater analytics, WINGS, MS Excel and MS Access.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS:

CPA preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong Statutory and GAAP accounting knowledge for fixed income investments.
• Ability to act independently, take ownership of functions and tasks, manage time effectively to meet deadlines and prioritize amongst a wide array of tasks.
• Knowledge of the investment industry, including financial data management and reporting.
• Ability to prioritize, manage time well, meet critical deadlines, and work well under pressure.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules and regulations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with internal and external parties at all levels.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Strong attention to numeric and other detail; ability to work with mathematical concepts and apply to practical situations.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Strong systems aptitude.
• Ability to identify process improvements that create efficiencies and improve work product.

This description covers the major purpose and essential functions of the job.  It is not intended to give all details or a step-by-step account of the way each task is to be performed.  Employees may receive other job related instructions and be required to perform other job related work requested by their manager.  All requirements are subject to possible modification to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.