What is the interview process like at Principal Financial Group for an Accountant, and how many rounds should I expect?

You should expect an initial screening that is either a phone interview or a recorded video interview to verify your background and interest. After that, the process moves into one or more rounds of interviews with managers and department heads. In total, candidates reported 10 interviews, with most describing the difficulty as average.

How difficult are Principal Financial Group Accountant interviews, and what does the offer rate look like?

Most candidates reported the difficulty for Principal Financial Group Accountant interviews as average. Across reported interviews, the offer rate was 60%. That combination suggests you should prepare thoroughly for both technical accounting and structured behavioral conversations.

What technical topics does Principal Financial Group test for the Accountant role?

For this Accountant role, you should be prepared for SOX Controls (SOX compliance) and internal controls testing, including risk assessment for financial reporting. Core accounting mechanics also show up, such as accounting fundamentals from general ledger to reporting, account reconciliations, and audit readiness support for external or internal audit.

What accounting concepts should I prioritize when preparing for Principal Financial Group Accountant interviews?

Focus on month-end close mechanics and accuracy in account reconciliations. You should also be ready to discuss accruals versus deferrals and explain revenue recognition under ASC 606, including how journal entries affect the financial statements when recorded incorrectly. Handling discrepancies during reconciliation is another practical area that fits this role’s emphasis on accuracy and controls.

Do Principal Financial Group Accountant interviews include SOX control documentation and issue management questions?

Yes, SOX-focused work is represented in the tested topics, including control documentation such as process narratives and control matrices, plus SOX control ownership and coordination across teams. Issue management and remediation and audit readiness support for external or internal audit also appear among the priority topics.

What compensation range do candidates report for Principal Financial Group Accountant roles?

Candidate and job-posting reports show base pay starting at $110,200, and reported total compensation can reach $148,200. The figures vary by level and location, so you should treat this as a reported range rather than a single guaranteed number.

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Updated Oct 12, 2024

Principal Financial Group Accountant Interview Experiences 2026

Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Accountant at Principal Financial Group, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.

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> 1 year

Average Positive Des Moines, IA

After an HR conversation, my process moved into interviews that were much more about how I worked than about deep technical problem-solving. I ended up speaking in a panel format with three managers, and there weren’t any explicit technical questions—at least not in the way I expected. Instead, the focus landed heavily on fit and culture, along with a lot of behavioral questions.

The questions were conversational in style. I was asked about my strengths and weaknesses, why I was applying, and why I was interested in Principal and the specific location tied to the role. I also made sure I had questions ready to ask at the end of the conversations, because that seemed important to how they wrapped things up.

> 1 year

Easy Negative Des Moines, IA

My process actually started with a recorded interview with the hiring manager. A few days later I got notified that I didn’t make it to the next round, but then the next day I received an email saying I was scheduled for another interview after all.

That second interview was with the two managers I would have otherwise met. They asked about my current job and what interested me in the position, mostly in a way that tried to gauge how I’d work with them day to day. Afterward, the hiring manager said she’d follow up and answer any additional questions I had, and she would reach out with next steps to schedule something early the following week.

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