Accounting & Assurance Manager, Client-Focused Advisor

SME; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Health & dental benefits

Professional development

Direct client interaction

Modern workspace

Job summary

SME is a growing accounting and advisory firm seeking a Manager, Accounting & Assurance to own a diverse client portfolio and lead engagements from planning through completion. You will mentor team members, partner with clients, and drive improvements in reporting and processes.

The role emphasizes strong leadership, relationship management and technical excellence across audit, review and compilation engagements, with opportunities to shape client service delivery and practice development.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive public accounting experience.
• Experience with audit, review and compilation engagements.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian accounting standards (ASPE and CAS).
• Experience managing a portfolio of clients.
• Ability to plan, manage and complete multiple engagements concurrently.
• Strong leadership, coaching and delegation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High degree of professional judgment, integrity and accountability.
• Commitment to delivering exceptional client service.

Responsibilities

• Plan, manage and oversee audit, review and compilation engagements across a diverse portfolio of clients.
• Establish the overall accounting, assurance and tax approach to engagements in consultation with the Partner.
• Develop engagement plans, objectives, timelines and appropriate audit or review strategies.
• Understand each client's business, industry, operations and key financial reporting risks.
• Identify significant accounting, assurance and tax matters early in the engagement and develop practical solutions.
• Review working paper files, financial statements, notes, corporate income tax returns and other client deliverables.
• Ensure engagements are completed in accordance with applicable professional standards, firm policies and quality requirements.
• Take ownership of engagement completion and ensure outstanding matters are resolved efficiently.
• Monitor engagement progress, deadlines, budgets and realization throughout the engagement.
• Analyze engagement economics and identify and explain significant variances from plan.
• Work closely with Partners regarding engagement risks, technical matters, client issues, staffing requirements, timing and budget.
• Be a trusted advisor to clients
• Serve as the primary day‑to‑day contact for a portfolio of clients.
• Build strong, long‑term relationships with business owners, controllers, finance teams and other key stakeholders.
• Lead client meetings and discussions independently, involving a Partner where appropriate.
• Provide clients with clear, practical advice on accounting, financial reporting, assurance and business matters.
• Identify trends, risks, opportunities and unusual items through analysis of financial and operational information.
• Help clients understand their financial results and identify opportunities to improve reporting, processes and decision‑making.
• Respond proactively to client questions and help ensure deliverables, filings and deadlines are managed effectively.
• Identify opportunities where additional accounting, tax, advisory or other SME services may benefit the client.
• Develop and lead our people
• Lead, coach and mentor Senior Accountants, Staff Accountants and other members of the engagement team.
• Review team members' work and provide timely, practical and constructive feedback.
• Delegate work effectively based on engagement requirements, individual capabilities and development opportunities.
• Monitor engagement workflow and adjust staffing or responsibilities when necessary.
• Help team members strengthen their technical knowledge, professional judgment, client‑management skills and overall confidence.
• Participate in performance management and professional development discussions.
• Foster a collaborative environment where team members are comfortable asking questions, taking ownership and continuing to learn.
• Bring a strong technical and analytical mindset
• Research accounting, assurance and tax matters and clearly document conclusions and recommendations.
• Apply Canadian accounting and assurance standards to client engagements.
• Perform financial, operational and system analysis where required.
• Review complex accounting transactions and identify appropriate accounting treatment.
• Use financial data and analytics to identify trends, relationships, anomalies and areas requiring further investigation.
• Work with large financial datasets and use technology to improve engagement efficiency and analysis.
• Identify opportunities to improve internal processes, engagement workflows and the use of technology across the practice.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Mentoring

Tools

Caseware Working Papers

Profile

QuickBooks

Job description

SME is a growing accounting and advisory firm seeking a Manager, Accounting & Assurance to own a diverse client portfolio and lead engagements from planning through completion. You will mentor team members, partner with clients, and drive improvements in reporting and processes.

The role emphasizes strong leadership, relationship management and technical excellence across audit, review and compilation engagements, with opportunities to shape client service delivery and practice development.