Assurance Manager - Life Sciences

rsm; Toronto; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

RSM is seeking an Assurance Manager to join our Life Sciences practice in Canada. You will lead audit engagements, coordinate teams, and ensure high-quality deliverables for clients in biotech and pharma while upholding firm standards.

This role requires CPA, 5+ years of experience, and willingness to travel up to 25%. You will work with senior managers and partners to develop staff and improve processes across engagements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited university.
• Active CPA (or equivalent certification) required.
• 5+ years of recent assurance experience within a public accounting environment.
• Strong proficiency with GAAP and IFRS.
• Experience leading and managing audit engagements and teams.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely, high quality client service and coordinate auditing of financial statements and disclosures.
• Assess risk and design audit procedures for engagement teams.
• Understand and utilize RSM's Audit Methodology.
• Manage multiple engagement teams and evaluate staff performance.
• Supervise seniors and supervisors and coach team members.
• Maintain client contact to assess impact of significant developments.
• Develop staff through training and career development initiatives.
• Stay current with GAAP updates and Firm policies.
• Travel up to 25% of the year as required.

Skills

Project management

Client communication

Audit standards

Leadership

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

CPA (or equivalent)

Job description

We are the leading provider of professional services to the middle market globally, our purpose is to instill confidence in a world of change, empowering our clients and people to realize their full potential. Our exceptional people are the key to our unrivaled, inclusive culture and talent experience and our ability to be compelling to our clients. You'll find an environment that inspires and empowers you to thrive both personally and professionally. There's no one like you and that's why there's nowhere like RSM. RSM is looking for an Assurance Manager to join our assurance Life Sciences practice. As a team member of the Life Sciences practice, you will be provided with opportunities to work on projects in RSM offices in biotech hubs across the country. You will also get exposure to various types of entities within the industry, ranging from companies in the clinical R&D phase to large public biopharma's. Common accounting areas encountered in the industry include collaboration and licensing arrangements, complex debt and equity transactions and internal controls over financial reporting.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide timely, high quality client service that meets or exceeds client expectations including coordinating the auditing of all required financial statements, related disclosures, and other client deliverables
• Assess risk along with design and communicate audit procedures to engagement teams
• Understand and utilize RSM's Audit Methodology
• Manage multiple engagement teams and prepare end-of-engagement evaluations for staff
• Understand skillsets and capabilities of Senior Associates and Supervisors and monitor and review work product that they prepare and report on performance while articulating coaching notes throughout the process
• Supervise Audit Seniors and Supervisors on engagement teams and function as an in-charge facilitating field work by monitoring and reporting regarding productivity and adherence to work plan schedules on each assignment
• Maintain contact with clients throughout the year to understand impact of significant developments in client's business and assess impact on current year audit engagements
• Develop others within the Firm through facilitating levels based or industry training, advising on career development or participating in other Firm initiatives
• Subscribe to and actively read industry publications and share relevant information with clients as considered applicable
• Anticipate and address client concerns and elevate issues as they arise
• Understand RSM's lines of businesses, availability of services and where applicable, discuss with client management of opportunities to make valuable introductions to others in the firm
• Develop a strategy to utilize relationships external to the firm with different types of Centers of Influence to effectuate business growth
• Manage profitability of projects
• Identify and communicate accounting and auditing matters to Senior Managers and Partners
• Identify performance improvement opportunities
• Ensure professional development through ongoing education
• Keep abreast of latest developments as they affect GAAP and the Firm's standards and policies
• Willingness to travel 25% of the year, depending on your clients

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or other discipline from an accredited University.
• Active CPA (or equivalent certification) required.
• 5+ years of recent assurance experience within a public accounting environment with substantial exposure to external audit engagements.
• Strong technical proficiency with financial reporting, audit procedures, and auditing standards, including GAAP, CASs or other relevant regulatory requirements, such as IFRS.
• Proven experience leading and managing audit engagements and teams, including planning, executing, and completing audits while overseeing junior and senior audit staff.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, balance competing responsibilities across clients and engagements, meet deadlines, and maintain quality in accordance with firm and client standards.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with firm personnel and clients, manage client relationships, respond to client needs, and address issues while building trust.
• Applies sound business judgment, risk awareness, and ethical integrity to ensure audit quality, compliance, and independence, and to provide guidance to team members.
• Ability to work effectively in a professional office environment and, as required, at client sites, including prolonged periods at a computer using standard office equipment.
• Ability to work extended and/or non-standard hours during peak periods to meet client, project, or firm business needs.
• Ability to maintain consistent onsite presence during core business hours, report regularly to a firm office, and travel to client sites as required, with reliable transportation.

At RSM, we offer a competitive benefits and com