Accountant 3 at State of Iowa - Executive Branch

Job Description

The Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) is hiring an Accountant 3.

The successful candidate will be responsible for performing advanced-level accounting work with the objective of ensuring the accuracy and completeness of IPERS’ Investment records.

To be successful in this position, the applicant must have the ability to understand and gain in-depth knowledge of all types of IPERS’ investments and their valuations. Knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) reporting requirements preferred.

Job Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To

Accounting, Reconciliations, and Investment Reporting:

• Prepare the cash forecast to assist IPERS’ Investment Division in making investment and cash balancing decisions.
• Verify activity recorded by the custodial bank with internal records and investment manager reporting.
• Document, research, and resolve discrepancies.
• Ensure general ledger portfolio balances agree to the custodial bank’s monthly financial reporting package.
• Serve as the primary contact for the Auditor of the State of Iowa and IPERS’ Internal Auditor for questions regarding investment transactions and reporting.
• Perform monthly, quarterly and year-end close processes.
• Analyze quarterly and annual audited private investment fund financial statements and capital account statements and verify the allocation of fund assets to IPERS’ general ledger balances.
• Prepare investment-related information for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
  

Research And Process Improvement

• Research investment accounting issues and provide professional advice to IPERS staff regarding GASB and GAAP compliance.
• Review accounting processes and provide guidance in improving efficiency and accuracy of accounting tasks.
• Act as a liaison between IPERS’ Finance Division and Investment Division, external portfolio managers, the custodial bank and external auditors regarding the application of accounting and financial reporting related to IPERS’ investments.
  
  

What We Offer

• Health, Dental, Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance – Insurance begins on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. 2026 health and dental premiums can be found here .
• Paid time off – separate vacation and sick leave – accruals begin on day one.
• Paid holidays (nine per year)
• Flex Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care)
• Defined Benefit Retirement Plan (IPERS)
• Voluntary Retirement Plan (Retirement Investors Club)
  
  

Find out more: State of Iowa – Benefits at a Glance.

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Finalists are subject to a background check.

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov .

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with twelve semester hours in accounting course work and experience equal to thirty months of responsible full-time work in accounting, accounts examination or verification, budgeting or closely related fiscal work with a governmental agency, public accounting firm, or private industry;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of the required experience for each year of the required education to a maximum of four years;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting thirty semester hours of graduate level course work in accounting, business administration or finance for each year of the required experience to a maximum substitution of sixty hours;

OR

Certified Public Accountants will qualify with eighteen months of the required experience;

OR

employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to nine months of full-time work. as an Accountant 2.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.