For a complete position description, please visit: Senior Accountant
THE ORGANIZATION
Our client, a well-established and respected leader in the Western Canadian wholesale distribution industry, is hiring a Sr. Accountant. With a long history of success and a strong reputation among customers and suppliers, this organization is entering an exciting period of transformation and growth, making this a key strategic role in building the talent bench that will carry the business forward. As this is a confidential search, details on the organization will be released only to those short-listed for the opportunity.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Reporting to the Controller, the Sr. Accountant is a newly created role that will work in close partnership with an existing Sr. Accountant to strengthen and modernize the organization’s financial reporting. Following a recent investment by a leading global private equity firm, the finance team is moving toward more timely, structured, and insightful reporting, including a goal of achieving a five-day month-end close.
In this role, you will play a key part in the month-end and year-end close, consolidating branch-level results into one set of financial statements, managing high-volume cash and bank reconciliations, overseeing accruals, and providing variance analysis and commentary that helps leadership understand the drivers behind the numbers. You will also work closely with the external auditors and help streamline processes to improve accuracy, efficiency, and turnaround time.
As the organization grows and investor expectations for budgeting, analytics, and board reporting increase, the finance team is evolving, with responsibilities shifting upward and new opportunities emerging at every level. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on accountant who enjoys continuous improvement, wants to help shape a finance function in transformation, and is looking for room to grow their scope and career.
RESPONSIBILITIES
This role has been thoughtfully staged so the talent function can be built step by step, beginning with hands-on recruitment and relationship building, followed by infrastructure, programs, and team growth.
Month-End and Year-End Close
- Prepare month-end journal entries and lead close activities in partnership with the other Sr. Accountant, supporting the goal of a five-day month-end close.
- Consolidate branch-level profit and loss statements into one set of consolidated financial statements.
- Oversee accruals prepared by Junior Accountants, reviewing for accuracy and completeness.
- Prepare account reconciliations and supporting schedules, investigating significant variances and escalating issues as needed.
Financial Reporting and Variance Analysis
- Prepare monthly and recurring financial and operating reports for the Controller’s review.
- Deliver variance analysis with clear commentary explaining key performance drivers, trends, and significant variances.
- Support increasing reporting, analytics, budgeting, and board meeting preparation requirements as the organization evolves.
Cash Management and Reconciliations
- Manage high-volume cash and bank reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Oversee bank requisitions and cash deposits.
Inventory Accounting
- Support inventory accounting, including calculating the true cost of inventory compared to system values.
- Assist with inventory factoring and cycle count tracking.
Tax, Compliance, and Audit
- Prepare and post GST, PST, and RST filings.
- Lead year-end audit preparation, preparing schedules and documentation and serving as a key point of contact for external auditors.
- Manage document filing and paper flow to ensure records are complete and well organized.
Process Improvement and Growth
- Identify and implement practical improvements to streamline accounting processes, leveraging AutoPoint and Excel to increase efficiency and accuracy.
- Support the organization’s potential transition from ASPE to IFRS or US GAAP.
- Take on additional responsibilities delegated by the Controller as the finance function grows.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
- Full Ownership of the Close: By May 2027, independently completes a full month-end close from start to finish, demonstrating a strong command of the organization’s accounting processes and systems.
- A Faster, Five-Day Close: Partners with the other Sr. Accountant and the team to reduce the month-end close to approximately five days, supported by streamlined and repeatable processes.
- Accuracy at Speed: Maintains a high standard of accuracy and reliability despite tighter timelines, consistently going the extra mile to ensure financial results are complete and trusted.
- Elevating the Role: Effectively delegates appropriate responsibilities to the Junior Accountants, creating capacity to take on higher-level work and support the Controller as the finance function evolves.
THE INDIVIDUAL
Given the pivotal role this individual will be expected to play in achieving the strategic objectives of the company and in supporting the success of the organization, it is essential that the successful candidate possess the following education, experience, competencies and attributes:
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Commerce is required.
- CPA designation, or a CPA candidate in the final stages of the CPA Professional Education Program, is required.
Experience
Must-haves:
- 6+ years of progressive accounting experience, including industry experience within a private or public company.
- Completion of at least two year-end closes, including working directly with external auditors and preparing audit schedules and documentation.
- Hands-on experience owning components of the month-end close, including journal entries, accruals, prepaids, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
- Experience preparing monthly financial and operating reports, including written variance analysis and commentary.
- Experience with high-volume cash and bank reconciliations, as well as GST, PST, and RST filings.
- Working knowledge of ASPE, along with IFRS or US GAAP.
- Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, Power Query, and building reconciliation and reporting templates) and hands-on experience with an ERP or accounting system.
COMPENSATION
An excellent compensation package awaits the successful candidate including base salary, bonus, matching RSP, health benefits, profit sharing and an opportunity to join an employee equity ownership program.
LOCATION
Edmonton, Alberta
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position is based on-site in Edmonton, Alberta with working hours being Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm.
HOW TO APPLY
For the opportunity to join our client in the role of Sr. Accountant, please email your resume to DreamBig@profoundtalent.com referencing Position ID # ACOA-504476. Should you have an inquiry regarding this position, please contact Max Frank at 587-200-0114 ext. 102 or Terri Davis at ext. 101.
For further information on ProFound Talent Inc. please visit: www.profoundtalent.com
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
ProFound Talent is a womanowned and operatedbusiness, recognized and certified by Women Business Enterprise (WBE). We pride ourselves in supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives in our recruitment processes and in our work environment, where every individual feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals to which you may confidentially share your accommodation needs at time of application. We will adjust our processes to ensure you have an inclusive, fair, and respectful experience that allows you to represent yourself in your unique and most authentic way.
* We thank all applicants for your submissions, however only candidates being considered for this role will be contacted. *
