Accounting Manager

Summit Search Group; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Summit Search Group is assisting a family-owned insurance brokerage in finding a Senior Finance leader to own the accounting function and modernize controls, reporting, systems, and processes. You will direct the accounting team, oversee payroll for 100+ employees across six locations, and deliver insights and recommendations to the executive team.

The ideal candidate holds a CPA (or near completion) and has 2+ years of progressive accounting experience in insurance or financial services, with

Qualifications

• CPA designation or in progress.
• 2+ years progressive accounting experience, ideally in insurance, financial services, or a private company.
• Experience managing budgets, financial controls, and month-end close.
• Hands-on payroll processing experience.
• Strong communication skills, and the ability to explain numbers to non-finance leaders.
• Curiosity about new tools and better ways of working.
• Applied EPIC experience is an asset, not a requirement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the accounting team and monitor the company's financial performance.
• Design, document, and enforce accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Safeguard the accuracy and integrity of all transaction data.
• Deliver monthly interim financial statements and operating metrics to leadership.
• Lead budget preparation, variance analysis, and management cost reporting.
• Turn financial results into clear, practical recommendations for the leadership team.
• Manage semi-monthly payroll for 100+ employees across six locations, ensuring accuracy and timely remittances.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, and collections.
• Prepare government returns, remittances, and payments.
• Identify and lead process and systems improvements, including automation opportunities.
• Lead special projects that support the company's growth.

Skills

Strong communication

Explain numbers to non-finance leaders

Curiosity about new tools

Hands-on payroll processing

Education

CPA designation (or in final stages)

2+ years accounting experience

Tools

EPIC experience

Job description

About Our Client:

Our client is a family-owned insurance brokerage.

Position Scope:

This is the senior finance seat in a growing, owner-led business. You'll report directly to the Director - IT, Admin and Finance and be the person leadership relies on to understand the numbers behind their growth. You'll own the accounting function, and you'll have real room to modernize how they do it: controls, reporting, systems, and process.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Financial leadership and controls

• Lead and develop the accounting team, and monitor the company's overall financial performance
• Design, document, and enforce accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Safeguard the accuracy and integrity of all transaction data

Reporting, budgeting, and insight

• Deliver monthly interim financial statements and operating metrics to leadership
• Lead budget preparation, variance analysis, and management cost reporting
• Turn financial results into clear, practical recommendations for the leadership team

Compliance and operations

• Manage and process semi-monthly payroll for 100+ employees across six locations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely remittances
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, and collections
• Prepare government returns, remittances, and payments
• Identify and lead process and systems improvements, including automation opportunities
• Lead special projects that support the company's growth

Skills & Qualifications:

• CPA designation (or in the final stages of completing it)
• 2+ years of progressive accounting experience, ideally in insurance, financial services, or a private company
• Experience managing budgets, financial controls, and month-end close
• Hands-on payroll processing experience
• Strong communication skills, and the ability to explain numbers to non-finance leaders
• Curiosity about new tools and better ways of working
• Applied EPIC experience is an asset, not a requirement
• The successful candidate will be required to undergo a criminal background check and credit check, with their consent, as a condition of employment.

AI Disclosure:

AI will not be used in the recruitment process.

Vacancy Disclosure:

This is a new position.

We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.