Manager, Investment Accounting (Mortgage Loans)

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, and have been headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, for over twenty-five years with satellite offices in Charlotte, NC and New York, NY.

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:   

The Investment Accounting Manager, Mortgage Loans oversees the investment accounting function related to investments in Commercial, Agricultural and Residential mortgage loans and Real Estate, including responsibility for directing and prioritizing work of the Investment Accounting mortgage loan team. The incumbent leads the Investment Accounting close process, accurate and timely statutory and U.S. GAAP basis financial and management reporting and projects related to the Company’s investments.

    **This position is based out of West Des Moines, IA and will work an on-site hybrid schedule** 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Provides subject expertise over the accounting and reporting of Commercial, Agricultural and Residential mortgage loans and Real Estate investments to the Investments and Accounting departments and to management.
• Leads a diverse team of employees with responsibility for managing the employee life cycle and experience, including but not limited to, selection and retention of talent, continuous feedback and performance management, reward and recognition, corrective action and employee development. Cross trains and establishes service levels where appropriate.
• Reviews investment disclosures and schedules included in U.S. GAAP- and statutory-basis quarterly and annual statements.
• Develops continuous process improvement strategy which includes the automation of new technology, processes, and reporting related to Mortgage Loans and Real Estate.
• Builds and maintains external relationships with auditors, vendors and other business partners.
• Oversees or participates in miscellaneous projects and ad hoc reporting requests for strategic initiatives.
• Reviews and approves monthly and quarterly investment reconciliations and work papers.
• Reviews rating agency surveys (AM Best, S&P and Fitch).
• Designs, executes and documents SOX and other management controls related to Mortgage Loans and Real Estate.
• Contributes to the execution of investment accounting strategy, OKRs and related business initiatives; effectively drives performance against departmental OKRs.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Reports:

Small team of investment accounting professionals.

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

None

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:  

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year credited college or university in finance, business or related field of study; plus seven (7) years of progressively responsible related investment accounting experience, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Prior supervisory experience preferred.
• CPA or MBA preferred.
• Proficiency with Aladdin, Precision LM, Workiva, WINGS, SAP, and MS Excel.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS:

CPA or MBA preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the investment industry, financial data management and reporting.
• Knowledge of investment accounting best practices and procedures, including but not limited to, STAT and U.S. GAAP reporting standards, and investment disclosures.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules and regulations.
• Strong attention to numeric and other detail; ability to work with mathematical concepts and apply to practical situations.
• Deep knowledge of financial statements, reports and reconciliations.
• Strong systems aptitude.
• Ability to format detailed numeric and other information in reports, dashboards and other mediums and effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with internal and external parties at all levels.
• Ability to effectively train and supervise direct reports.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents from regulatory agencies, and other members of the business community.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to successfully handle pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to multi-task in meeting tight quarter-end deadlines, ensuring all tasks are completed on time.

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