Chief Accountant

Fonction publique de l'Ontario; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Career development opportunities

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Ontario Public Service is seeking a Chief Accountant to lead financial management, budgeting, and strategic planning for the Ontario Science Centre. You will guide reporting, audits, and fiscal controls to ensure accountable, compliant operations.

The role requires advising senior leaders, developing financial standards, and shaping processes to support program delivery across ministries.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of GAAP and accounting standards.
• Ability to prepare budgets, financial analyses and statements.
• Familiarity with internal controls and enterprise risk management.

Responsibilities

• lead financial management and business planning activities, including reporting and audit processes
• review and improve financial and administrative procedures to adapt to changing business needs, and improve control and accountability
• advise senior leadership on strategic financial matters during business planning process
• develop and maintain accountability frameworks, financial standards, and processes

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial analysis

Internal controls

Budgeting & forecasting

Strategic advisory

Stakeholder communication

Job description

Apply By:Tuesday, October 7, 2025 11:59 pm EDT

Competition Status: Application Screening

Approximately 97 individuals applied for this opportunity.

We are screening ALL applications received on or before the closing date and rating them against the qualifications outlined in the job ad. Applicants whose resume and cover letter best demonstrate how they meet the qualifications to do the job will be invited to continue in the hiring process.

To learn about our recruitment process, visit our Hiring Process .

Drive strategic impact at the Ontario Science Centre

Bring your controllership, strategic financial management and business planning expertise to this high-impact role to support the ongoing business operations of the Ontario Science Centre through informed financial recommendations.

About the job

As the Chief Accountant, you will:

• lead financial management and business planning activities, including reporting and audit processes
• review and improve financial and administrative procedures to adapt to changing business needs, and improve control and accountability
• advise senior leadership on strategic financial matters during business planning process
• develop and maintain accountability frameworks, financial standards, and processes

What you bring to the team

Accounting and financial knowledge

You have extensive knowledge of:

• accounting standards, generally accepted accounting principles and practices (GAAP), audit principles, and mechanisms to prepare budgets, financial analyses and financial statements
• modern controllership, internal controls, financial management, and enterprise risk management principles to assess risks and recommend mitigation strategies
• budget allocation and expenditure forecasting to produce financial reports, identify variances, and develop expenditure management strategies
• legislative authorities and other practices, including quality assurance, to ensure compliance in all financial transactions and to provide strategic advice

Communication and consultation skills

You have:

• communication and interpersonal skills to offer strategic advice and support effective financial and business practices
• persuasion and negotiation skills to build consensus and influence decisions on complex issues
• relationship-building skills to liaise and exchange information with financial institutions and other jurisdictions to support controllership best practices
• oral and written communication skills to present complex financial information and communicate requirements though reports, proposals and recommendations

Project management, leadership and organizational skills

You can:

• provide leadership, advice and technical guidance to project teams, including management, Finance staff and colleagues in other departments
• develop project plans, set priories, define goals, and establish project parameters, key milestones and deliverables
• lead the delivery of program initiatives to achieve project objectives and drive change
• lead project teams by assigning tasks, reviewing work and ensuring timely, high-quality results
• deal with priorities, tight deadlines and unexpected changes

Analytical, research and problem-solving skills

You have:

• analytical, research and problem-solving skills to investigate financial, controllership and performance issues
• investigative skills to identify impacts, evaluation options and recommend courses of action
• problem solving and research skills to develop creative solutions for improvements and alterative service delivery methods

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

What we offer

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:

• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• a comprehensive compensation and benefits package
• base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression
• tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more
• a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment

Additional information:

Apply by:

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 11:59 pm EDT

• 1 English Temporary, duration up to 12 months, 777 Bay St, Toronto, Toronto Region

Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario

Language requirements and assessment: All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.