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Principal Accounting Process Analyst

Thrivent · Appleton, WI · $89,895–$121,621 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 27, 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

This role provides leadership and subject matter expertise over financial data, reporting processes and accounting operations. Walk me through a process you redesigned.

What they are checking: Whether they have led a real process redesign at a principal level, because the role expects leadership over accounting operations, not just participation.

How do you improve a process that people have been running the same way for years?

What they are checking: Whether they can bring long-time staff along when changing a familiar process, because habits are often the biggest obstacle to improvement.

What would you do

You'd partner with accounting, operations and technology teams. How do you get a technology team to prioritize an accounting process problem?

What they are checking: Whether they can persuade technology teams to prioritize accounting problems, because process fixes often depend on teams with their own competing priorities.

You'd lead initiatives improving efficiency, scalability and data integrity. How do you sequence improvements when everything is a priority?

What they are checking: Whether they can sequence improvement work sensibly when everything feels urgent, because tackling projects in the wrong order wastes effort and goodwill.

The posting says the role is open to candidates working remotely anywhere in the United States, based nominally in Appleton. Where would you work from, and what would you want to know about the close calendar and the team before you took it?

What they are checking: Whether the remote arrangement works for them and whether they ask sensible questions about the close calendar and team before accepting.

About the work

You'd guide how complex accounting and reporting matters are modeled and automated. What is a good candidate for automation in an accounting close, and what is not?

What they are checking: Whether they can judge which close tasks should be automated and which need human judgment, because poor automation choices create hidden errors.

You'd lead complex analysis of financial and operational data to identify root causes. Walk me through diagnosing a reporting discrepancy.

What they are checking: Whether they have a disciplined method for finding root causes in reporting discrepancies, because fixing symptoms lets the same errors keep coming back.

You'd evaluate control effectiveness and identify emerging risks. How do you tell a control that works from one that merely exists?

What they are checking: Whether they can tell a control that works in practice from one that only exists on paper, because auditors and regulators test both.

You'd support audits, regulatory examinations and internal control activities. What does preparing for an examination actually involve?

What they are checking: Whether they know what examination preparation really involves, because supporting audits and regulators is a core part of this role in insurance.

Insurance accounting has its own reporting requirements. What is distinctive about it?

What they are checking: Whether they understand statutory and other insurance accounting requirements, because this role needs industry-specific knowledge beyond general accounting.

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The full job description

As published by Thrivent.

We exist to help people achieve financial clarity. At Thrivent, we believe money is a tool, not a goal. Driven by a higher purpose at our core, we are committed to providing financial advice, investments, insurance, banking and generosity programs to help people make the most of all they’ve been given. At our core, we are a membership-owned fraternal organization, as well as a holistic financial services organization, dedicated to serving the unique needs of our clients. We focus on their goals and priorities, guiding them toward financial choices that will help them live the life they want today—and tomorrow. Job Summary Provides leadership and subject matter expertise over financial data, reporting processes, and accounting operations, influencing the design, governance, and continuous improvement of financial reporting and operational processes across Controller & Treasury. Leads complex initiatives and cross-functional efforts that improve financial reporting integrity, process effectiveness, data quality, and operational scalability while helping teams adapt to evolving business and regulatory requirements. Acts as a trusted advisor across Accounting, Investments, Operations, and Technology functions, helping stakeholders understand the financial reporting, control, and operational impacts of business decisions and changes. **We are open to candidates working remotely anywhere across the United States. Job Responsibilities and Duties • Provide leadership and subject matter expertise for accounting, reporting, and operational processes, ensuring accurate financial outcomes, reporting integrity, and alignment with business and regulatory requirements. • Guide how we model and automate complex accounting and reporting matters working in collaboration with accounting leadership and individual contributors. • Lead complex analysis of financial and operational data, partnering with accounting, operations, and technology teams to identify root causes, assess impacts, and drive improvements that enhance reporting efficiency, data quality, process effectiveness, and business outcomes • Support audits, regulatory examinations, and internal control activities by preparing documentation, validating information, and ensuring compliance with established requirements. • Lead and prioritize initiatives that improve efficiency, scalability, reporting quality, data integrity, and control effectiveness through process redesign, automation, and continuous improvement efforts. • Evaluate control effectiveness, proactively identify emerging risks, and partner with stakeholders to strengthen financial, operational, reporting, and compliance controls across multiple processes and functions. • Lead complex analysis of financial and operational data to identify emerging risks, reporting impacts, process improvement opportunities, and strategic recommendations that improve business outcomes and financial integrity. Drive data quality improvements through root-cause analysis, resolution of systemic issues, and collaboration with business partners to strengthen reporting reliability, governance, and decision-making capabilities. • Models Thrivent’s leadership competencies – Model the Way, Rally the Team, and Deliver Outcomes. ​ • Supports and/or develops an environment in which Thrivent employees and colleagues are focused on continuous improvement, exceptional employee engagement, and an unwavering commitment to our clients. Shapes and/or supports a culture that represents the Thrivent purpose, promise and values, ensuring that Thrivent’s trust and reputation remain strong with its clients. ​ Job Qualifications Required: • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Information Systems, Management Information Systems, Information Technology or related field, or equivalent work experience. • 5+ years of relevant experience in accounting, finance, operations, or systems-related roles. • Advanced knowledge of accounting principles, financial processes, and system-enabled workflows, with demonstrated ability to apply these concepts across multiple areas. • Proficiency with data tools (e.g.,) Power Query, Power BI) and financial systems, with ability to leverage technology to support process improvements and outcomes. • Demonstrated ability to partner effectively across functions and communicate with a range of stakeholders, including leadership. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to synthesize information, assess impacts, and influence decisions. • Proven ability to act as a subject‑matter expert and manage shifting priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines. • Proven ability to lead complex analysis, resolve ambiguous issues, confidently present findings and recommendations, and drive outcomes across financial processes, reporting activities, and operational functions. Preferred: • Experience working in a financial services or large corporate environment with complex, regulated financial processes. • Experience leading or supporting audit, regulatory, or external reporting activities. Strong familiarity with financial systems, data structures, and system-enabled processes, including experience influencing system or process design. • Progress towards or interest in relevant professional certifications CPA, CMA, MBA, IIBA-CBAP, IIBA-CCBA, . • Demonstrated experience leading process improvement initiatives and driving measurable outcomes. Additional Information • This position is a full-time remote opportunity. • Employees who reside within the designated geographic range may be required to work on-site based on business needs and at the manager’s discretion #LI-Remote Pay Transparency Thrivent’s long-term growth depends on attracting, rewarding, and retaining people who are committed to helping others thrive with purpose. We accomplish this by offering a wide variety of market competitive compensation programs to attract, reward, and retain top talent. The applicable salary or hourly wage range for this full-time role is $89,895.00 - $121,621.00 per year, which factors in various geographic regions. The base pay actually offered will be determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to, location, relevant experience, skills, and knowledge, business needs, market demand, and other factors Thrivent deems important. Thrivent is unique in our commitment to helping people to be wise with money and live balanced and generous lives. That extends to our benefits. The following benefits may be offered: various bonuses (including, for example, annual or long-term incentives); medical, dental, and vision insurance; health savings account; flexible spending account; 401k; pension; life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; disability insurance; supplemental protection insurance; 20 days of Paid Time Off each year; Sick and Safe Time; 10 paid company holidays; Volunteer Time Off; paid parental leave; EAP; well-being benefits, and other employee benefits. Eligibility for receipt of these benefits is subject to the applicable plan/policy documents. Thrivent’s plans/policies are subject to change at any time at Thrivent’s discretion. Thrivent provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) without regard to race, religion, color, sex , gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable local, state , or federal law. This policy applies to all employees and job applicants. Thrivent is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation , please let us know by sending an email to human.resources@thrivent.com or call 800-847-4836 and request Human Resources. #Remote

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