Job Summary
We are seeking a Senior Accountant / Client Accounting Lead to support a growing portfolio of corporate and owner-managed business clients.
As part of the firm’s continued growth and expansion, we are also evaluating opportunities with an established accounting practice in the Hamilton area. Accordingly, the successful candidate must be able and willing to work in Hamilton as required, in addition to supporting clients and team members across the broader practice.
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.
Location & Work Arrangement
The role will support clients across the firm’s broader practice.
The successful candidate must be within reasonable commuting distance of Hamilton or otherwise able to work in Hamilton on a regular basis as required.
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 CRA 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.
Growth Opportunity
For the right individual, this position can develop toward:
Senior Accountant → Accounting Manager → CPA Manager / Practice Leader
with increasing responsibility for client relationships, technical review, staff supervision and management of a broader client portfolio.
Pay: $60,000.00-$75,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Hamilton, ON
