Associate Manager, Operational Accounting Team

Canada Life; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 72,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education reimbursement up to $2,000

Health & Wellness benefits

Pension plan

Volunteer day

Share ownership program

Employee discounts

ERGs and mentorship programs

Job summary

Canada Life is seeking an Associate Manager to lead a high‑performing accounting team in Winnipeg. You will oversee suspense accounting, reconciliations, and financial reporting, driving process improvements and strong controls across the function.

You will leverage IFRS 17 and GAAP knowledge, manage quarter‑end close, and collaborate with partners across the organization. A CPA is preferred; strong leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business or related field.
• 5+ years accounting experience, with leadership prefered.
• CPA designation strongly preferred but not required.
• Strong communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day accounting operations to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Oversee quarter‑end close, accruals, JV postings and data integrity.
• Review analyses, identify variances, and drive process improvements.
• Provide timely responses to senior management inquiries and cross‑functional partners.
• Develop and document key processes; ensure internal controls and GAAP/IFRS compliance.
• Collaborate across geography and teams to support reporting objectives.
• Coach and guide team members, manage workload and assignments.

Skills

Accounting leadership

Team leadership

Excel

Communication

Problem solving

CPA preferred

Initiative

Reliability clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance/business

Tools

BlackLine

Job description

Permanent Full Time

We’re looking for an Associate Manager to lead a high performing accounting team responsible for suspense accounting, reconciliations, monitoring, and accurate recording of financial transactions that support timely and reliable financial reporting. This role is accountable for overseeing day-to-day operations, ensuring strong financial controls, and driving process excellence across key accounting activities. The successful candidate will build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships with business partners and peer teams across the organization, leveraging strong communication, leadership, analytical, and accounting skills to support operational and strategic objectives.

What You Will Do

• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting through the completion of financial transactions, account reconciliations, journal entries, and related investigations
• Work on and support the quarter-end close process by assisting the team, owning the accrual and JV posting process, reviewing and tracking deliverables, and ensuring the completeness and accuracy of financial data
• Review worksheets and financial analyses, identify key drivers of variances, support investigations, and recommend process improvements
• Analyze financial information and provide timely responses to inquiries from senior management and business partners
• Develop, maintain, and update documentation for key departmental processes and procedures
• Collaborate with the team to complete and review BlackLine reconciliations, ensuring compliance with internal controls and reporting requirements
• Coordinate team workloads, assign and monitor tasks, and provide guidance, coaching, and support to team members as required
• Partner with management on projects and initiatives that impact accounting processes, controls, and reporting
• Prepare and review reports and submissions required for certain client plans
• Maintain a strong understanding of certain client plans processes and workflows, providing technical guidance and direction to the team
• Apply IFRS 17 and GAAP accounting knowledge to support financial reporting, analysis, and process improvements
• Foster effective collaboration across teams, geographic locations, and organizational levels to achieve departmental objectives
• Lead and contribute to ad hoc projects and special assignments as directed by the department manager

What You Will Bring

• 5+ years of accounting experience ideally with leadership experience
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field
• CPA designation is strongly preferred but not required
• High level of initiative and able to manage competing deadlines and priorities
• Ability to inspire, motivate, and drive a high-performing team of accounting professionals
• Strong critical thinking skills, problem-solving and decision-making ability
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel in particular)
• Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented, curious, and adaptable, with a strong openness to learning and implementing new ideas and processes
• Self-starter, team-oriented, and able to work with limited direction
• Professional and approachable with an emphasis on collaborative working relationships
• Reliability Status Security Clearance – this can only be completed with candidates who receive an offer of employment. This is a personal security status that is required as a condition of employment before an employee can gain access to Protected B information, assets or work sites as outlined by the Government of Canada website. The cost of submitting these checks will be covered by Canada Life

This position will be located in the Winnipeg head office, with a requirement to work in the office three days per week.

The base salary for this position is between $71,900 - $119,800 annually. This represents base salary only and does not represent other variable compensation components of our total compensation ( i.e. annual bonus, commission etc). If you are selected to move forward in our recruitment process, your recruiter will be able to discuss additional details of our total rewards program with you.

Career opportunities will be open a minimum of 5 business days from the date of posting, closing dates will vary depending on the search activity. All applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Grow with Canada Life

We’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the financial, physical and mental well‑being of Canadians. Our company is trusted by 1 in 3 Canadians and contributes to the strength of communities across the country.

We’re looking for people who live our values everyday: we step up, we do the right thing, and we deliver – for our customers, communities and each other. Are you someone who always strives to do the right thing, who steps up for themselves and others, and who delivers with impact? Then we want to hear from you!

What we offer

We’re committed to supporting our employees through every stage of their career. Here’s what you can expect as a full‑time or part‑time permanent team member:

• Career Development: Opportunities for career advancement, access to industry-leading learning programs and up to$2,000 annually towards education reimbursement.
• Health & Wellness:Flexible health and dental benefits, plus a $5,000 mental health benefit to support your well-being.
• Time Off:In addition to regular vacation and personal days, we support community involvement with a volunteer day.
• Financial Security:Company-matching pension plan,share ownership program and additionalinvestment options.
• Rewards and Recognition: Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, employee discounts and more!
• Emphasis on Community: We provide a workplace where employees feel connected and supported through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs and events.

Learn more about Canada Life.

We’re committed to removing barriers and ensuring equal access to employment. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application process may contact [e-mail]. All information provided will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and Canada Life policies.

Canada Life would like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.