Senior Manager, IFRS & Insurance Accounting
Reporting to the Controller, the Senior Manager, IFRS & Insurance Accounting is responsible for the technical application, interpretation, ongoing compliance with IFRS, with a key focus on IFRS 17 insurance accounting. This role serves as the technical accounting lead supporting the Controller, providing guidance on complex and judgmental accounting matters and ensuring consistent application of IFRS standards within the established finance governance framework.
What will you do?
IFRS Technical Accounting & Compliance
- Lead the interpretation and application of IFRS standards across the organization, providing guidance on complex, technical, and judgmental accounting matters.
- Serve as the technical accounting lead within the finance function, supporting the Controller in evaluating and determining appropriate accounting treatments.
- Develop, maintain, and recommend accounting policies, technical position papers, and interpretations for approval within the finance governance framework.
- Monitor emerging accounting developments and industry practices and assess their impact on financial reporting.
IFRS 17 Insurance Accounting
- Develop, maintain, and recommend IFRS 17 accounting policies, methodologies, and position papers.
- Apply IFRS 17 measurement models (e.g., GMM, PAA), including contract boundary assessments, coverage units, and discounting methodologies.
- Oversee the recognition and measurement of insurance revenue, insurance service expenses, and insurance finance income or expenses.
Management Reporting & Performance Insights
- Prepare monthly management reporting dashboards including commentary focused on financial statement results.
- Provide financial variance commentary related to accounting movements (e.g. timing differences, accruals, reclassifications).
- Ensure consistency, completeness, and accuracy of results across entity-level and consolidated reporting views.
Contractual Service Margin (CSM) & Risk Adjustment
- Oversee the calculation, analysis, and roll‑forward of the Contractual Service Margin (CSM).
- Lead the review and challenge the risk adjustment methodologies and movements in collaboration with actuarial team.
- Perform analytical review of CSM drivers, assumption changes, experience variances, and new business impacts.
- Ensure consistency between actuarial outputs and accounting treatment under IFRS 17.
Actuarial & Data Integration
- Lead coordination with actuarial team to validate inputs, assumptions, and outputs used in IFRS 17 and other accounting areas.
- Translate actuarial and operational data into accounting entries, reconciliations, and technical analysis.
- Oversee and enhance data flows between actuarial models, sub-ledgers, and the general ledger.
- Drive resolution of data issues, reconciliation differences, and system-related discrepancies.
Financial Close & Disclosures
- Lead the preparation and review of complex accounting entries, reconciliations, and supporting schedules as part of monthly and quarterly close.
- Provide technical accounting oversight and support in the preparation of IFRS financial statements and disclosures in coordination with the Senior Reporting Analyst.
- Perform and oversee the quarterly transition from IFRS to HGB using Group‑approved, tool‑based processes, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
- Lead collaboration with Group Finance to identify, assess, and explain differences between IFRS and HGB, including impacts from IFRS 17 and broader IFRS topics.
- Prepare technical analysis and explanations for Group, Supervisory Board, and external audit requests.
- Ensure all technical accounting working papers are complete, well-documented, and audit‑ready
Compliance & Governance
- Act as the primary point of contact for internal and external auditors on technical accounting matters.
- Lead preparation of technical accounting memos, position papers, and audit responses.
- Support the design and operation of internal controls over accounting processes, estimates, and data flows.
- Ensure compliance with internal governance frameworks, policies, and regulatory expectations.
Process Improvement & Automation
- Drive improvements in accounting processes, controls, and data quality across the finance function.
- Lead accounting-related system enhancements, including IFRS 17 and financial reporting tools.
- Develop standardized templates, documentation, and processes to enhance scalability and operational efficiency.
About You:
- University degree in Accounting or Finance.
- CPA (or equivalent international accounting) designation required.
- +7 years of experience in technical accounting, financial reporting, or insurance finance
- Strong expertise in IFRS, with the ability to interpret and apply complex and judgmental accounting standards across multiple areas.
- Experience with IFRS 17 implementation or ongoing application required.
- Deep knowledge of IFRS 17 and insurance accounting concepts.
- Experience working with actuarial models, financial systems, and data-intensive environments
- Experience in multi-entity and Group reporting structures is an asset.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to interpret complex accounting guidance.
- Influence and develop others through mentoring, onboarding support, and guidance on complex accounting matters, contributing to overall team capability and performance.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel: experience with IFRS 17 tools or systems is an asset.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to operate effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities
- High attention to detail and strong ownership mindset.
This role is for a current vacancy.
We Offer:
- Competitive Base Salary including annual bonus plan
- Generous Employer Paid Benefits Plan, including RSP matching & Fitness Credit
- Location is a combination of remote work from home and from our head office in the heart of Toronto's Financial District
ARAG Legal Solutions Inc., part of the ARAG Group, is a global leader in legal expense insurance operating in 19 countries offering an innovative and comprehensive range of legal expense products and services for brokers, underwriting agents and insurers across Canada.For more information about ARAG Canada please visit: www.arag.ca/en/
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer
ARAG Legal Solutions Inc., are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of citizenship, race, place of origin, ethnic origin, colour, ancestry, disability, age, creed, sex/pregnancy, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, receipt of public assistance (in housing) and record of offences (in employment).
ARAG Legal Solutions Inc., is committed to providing employment in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Any assessments and selection materials or processes used during the recruitment process will be available in an accessible format to applicants with disabilities, upon request. If contacted for an interview, please advise the Human Resources Manager if you require disability-related accommodation.
