We are seeking a
Senior Tax Accountant to support a growing portfolio of corporate and owner-managed business clients.
This role is ideal for someone who can independently manage day-to-day accounting matters, review bookkeeping, prepare year-end files and corporate tax returns, handle CRA-related matters, and support client payment and payables processes.
The successful candidate will work closely with CPA leadership, operations staff, bookkeeping personnel, and external/offshore resources.
Key Responsibilities
Accounting & Financial Reporting
- Review bookkeeping files for accuracy, completeness, and appropriate account classification.
- Prepare and review month-end and year-end adjusting entries.
- Reconcile balance sheet accounts and investigate discrepancies.
- Prepare year-end working paper files for corporate clients.
- Prepare compilation engagements and related financial statement packages.
- Review general ledgers and identify unusual transactions, missing information, and accounting issues.
- Assist with accounting clean-up and transition of newly onboarded client files.
Corporate Tax & Compliance
- Prepare Canadian corporate income tax returns (T2).
- Prepare supporting tax schedules and working papers.
- Assist with GST/HST filings and reconciliations.
- Support payroll and source-deduction compliance matters.
- Review corporate tax instalments and payment requirements.
- Assist with T3, T4, T5 and other information returns where required.
- Identify tax matters requiring escalation to senior CPA leadership.
CRA Matters
- Manage routine CRA correspondence and client account inquiries.
- Review Notices of Assessment and Reassessment.
- Assist clients with CRA balances, instalments, remittances and payment arrangements.
- Investigate discrepancies between client accounting records and CRA accounts.
- Respond to routine CRA reviews and information requests.
- Coordinate documentation for CRA audits, reviews and examinations.
Client Payments & Payables
- Support and oversee accounts payable processes for selected clients.
- Review vendor invoices and payment schedules.
- Prepare or review client payment runs for approval.
- Coordinate corporate tax, GST/HST, payroll and other government remittances.
- Ensure appropriate approvals and controls are followed before payments are processed.
- Monitor upcoming payment deadlines and communicate requirements to clients.
- Client & Team Support
- Act as a day-to-day accounting contact for assigned clients.
- Respond to routine accounting, tax, and bookkeeping questions.
- Review work prepared by bookkeepers, junior accountants and offshore personnel.
- Provide technical guidance and feedback to junior team members.
- Work closely with Practice Operations to manage deadlines, client information requests and workflow.
- Assist with onboarding and transitioning newly acquired clients.
- Participate in client transition meetings where appropriate.
The position may involve a combination of in-office, client-site, and remote work depending on client needs and the evolution of the firm's operations.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or diploma in accounting, finance, or a related field.
- CPA designation, active CPA program enrolment, or significant equivalent public-practice experience preferred.
- Approximately 3-7+ years of accounting experience, ideally working with Canadian owner-managed businesses.
- Experience preparing corporate tax returns and year-end working paper files.
- Strong understanding of Canadian corporate accounting, GST/HST, and payroll compliance.
- Experience dealing directly with the CRA is strongly preferred.
- Experience reviewing bookkeeping and performing full-cycle accounting.
- Comfortable communicating directly with business owners.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines independently.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate combines technical accounting ability with practical problem-solving skills.
They should be comfortable moving between preparing a corporate year-end, resolving a CRA issue, reviewing bookkeeping, coordinating a client payment, answering a business owner's accounting question, and helping junior staff complete their work.
This is an opportunity to join a growing CPA and advisory practice where the successful candidate can take on increasing responsibility as the firm expands organically and through strategic opportunities.
