Jobs › Northwestern Mutual

Investment Accounting Analyst

Northwestern Mutual · Milwaukee, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you found an error in a transaction booked by another department.

What they are checking: Whether they work across teams to correct data at the source, not just in their own records.

How do you keep a month-end close on track when things go wrong late in the process?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay calm and organized under close deadlines.

What interests you about investment accounting instead of general ledger or audit work?

What they are checking: Whether they have a genuine interest in securities and portfolios that will keep them engaged.

What would you do

How do you approach a month-end reconciliation that won't tie out?

What they are checking: Whether they search methodically for the cause rather than plugging a difference.

Auditors ask for support for a gain on a sold security. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they keep clean documentation and can work smoothly with external auditors.

About the work

What are the main differences between statutory accounting and U.S. GAAP for an insurance company's bond portfolio?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that insurers report to state regulators under different rules than investors see.

Walk me through how you'd record the purchase of a bond bought at a discount and its income over time.

What they are checking: Whether they understand amortization and accretion, which drive investment income accuracy.

What do you know about the investment schedules in an insurer's annual statement?

What they are checking: Whether they have exposure to the state regulatory filings this team helps prepare.

How would you explain a realized versus unrealized gain to someone outside accounting?

What they are checking: Whether they understand core concepts well enough to explain them plainly.

Tell me about your Excel skills. What's the most useful thing you've built?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle large data sets and build reconciliations efficiently.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Mutual.

About the Job: Prepare accurate financial reporting for fixed income and equity securities for Northwestern Mutual and related entities. Complete processes to ensure accurate monthly, quarterly and annual reporting to internal management as well as external agencies and auditors. Assist in the monthly data integrity process to ensure the accuracy of investments system and its associated financial processing routines in recording the assets, income, and gains and losses. What You'll Do: • Assist in the preparation of the investment portion of the quarterly and annual statement filings with state insurance regulators and audited financial statements. • Complete monthly closing of the Portfolio Asset Management (PAM) securities system and associated financial processing routines in recording the assets, income, and gains and losses of Northwestern Mutual and related entities to ensure that proper Statutory and U.S. GAAP principles are applied, including monthly reconciliations of the PAM systems. • Proactively work across departments to ensure the accuracy of the investment deals and transactions. • Prepare additional periodic reporting as requested. • Work with external business partners to ensure accuracy of reporting. What You'll Bring to the Role: • Bachelor's degree in accounting, or related field or equivalent education plus experience required. • Minimum of 1 year of relevant professional accounting experience. • A strong working knowledge of accounting principles and practices related to investments a plus. • Demonstrated decision-making and analytical skills. • Strong written and oral communication skills. • Ability to effectively maintain relations within divisions of Controllers and other company departments as needed. • A high degree of personal initiative and self-motivation is required. • Proficiency in Microsoft applications, specifically Excel. Skills You'll Have: • Helps assess experience preparing, reviewing, or supporting financial reports. • Addresses familiarity with investment instruments and securities-related accounting • Evaluates foundational knowledge of controls supporting accurate financial reporting • Foundational accounting knowledge. • Evaluates foundational knowledge of controls supporting accurate financial reporting #LI-Hybrid Compensation Range: Pay Range - Start: $60,880.00 Pay Range - End: $91,320.00 Geographic Specific Pay Structure: Structure 110: $66,960.00 USD - $100,440.00 USD Structure 115: $70,000.00 USD - $105,000.00 USD We believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more. Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now! Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.

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