Manager, Investment Policy & Consolidation

At American Equity Investment Life Holding Companywe 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 Manager, Investment Policy & Consolidation focuses on the consolidation of the company's investment portfolio, ensuring compliance with US GAAP and regulatory requirements, as well as providing technical expertise on investment-related accounting issues, including assessing variable interest entities and consolidation conclusions. The incumbent uses their deep understanding of investment accounting, consolidation processes, and life insurance-specific regulatory requirements.

**This position will be based out of West Des Moines, IA and will work a hybrid onsite schedule**

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Investment Consolidation and Accounting

• Leads the consolidation of investment-related entities, including subsidiaries, joint ventures, and special purpose vehicles (SPVs), ensuring accurate elimination of intercompany transactions and balances.
• Oversees the consolidation of investment portfolios, ensuring appropriate treatment of equity method investments, subsidiaries, and affiliates in accordance with US GAAP, and relevant industry standards.
• Supports the overall financial statement consolidation process and assist with the implementation and management of consolidation technology tools.
• Ensures appropriate classification of investments in the financial statements.

Technical Accounting

• Provides technical guidance on the accounting for investments, including classification and consolidation conclusions, to various stakeholders across the company.
• Advises on investment-related issues such as joint ventures, special purpose vehicles (SPVs), fair value adjustments, and derivative accounting, ensuring proper reflection in consolidated financial statements.
• Analyzes contractual arrangements and investment structures to assess and evaluate potential variable interest entities (VIEs) in accordance with US GAAP.
• Prepares documentation and technical accounting memos to support accounting conclusions regarding VIE assessments and consolidations.
• Prepares investment-related accounting disclosures in financial statement filings.

Other

• Identifies and implement process improvements related to investment reporting and consolidation.
• Ensures compliance with internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures to maintain the integrity of financial reporting.
• Serves as a subject matter expert during the audit process, working closely with both internal and external auditors to provide documentation and technical explanations of consolidation and investment-related issues.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Reports:

None today, possible in the future

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

None

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited college or university in accounting, finance or related field of study; plus at least six (6) years of progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Prior experience and proficiency with MS Excel. Experience with ERP systems is a plus.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS:

Certified Public Accountant preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the life and annuity insurance industry, including products issued, operating activities performed across the entity, and the regulatory environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex investment and consolidation accounting issues to non-technical stakeholders, senior management, and auditors.
• Broad understanding of financial statement accounts of a life and annuity company, including investment and actuarial balances.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, balancing multiple priorities and tight deadlines.
• Ability to multi-task and effectively prioritize work to meet tight quarter-end deadlines, ensuring all tasks are completed on time.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with internal and external parties at all levels.
• Strong attention to numeric and other detail; ability to work with mathematical concepts and apply to practical situations.
• Strong systems aptitude.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions