Data Scientist, Tax Transformation Office

BDO Canada LLP; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

BDO Canada LLP is seeking a highly skilled Data Scientist to join the Tax R&D Lab within the Tax Transformation Office in Toronto. You will apply data science, AI, and ML to modernize workflows, improve efficiency, and enhance client outcomes across Tax.

The role focuses on rapid prototyping, scalable AI-enabled workflows, and cross-functional collaboration with TRMs, Tax practitioners, and leadership. A strong business sense and execution capability are essential.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science, Data Science, AI, or related quantitative discipline preferred.
• 3+ years of experience building and deploying ML/AI solutions in production environments.
• Strong Python proficiency with modern data science libraries.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, train, and optimize ML/AI models to support Tax transformation initiatives.
• Develop NLP, generative AI, and automation solutions for tax workflows.
• Evaluate model performance, explainability, and responsible AI considerations.
• Collaborate with TRMs, Tax practitioners, Data & Analytics and leadership teams.
• Prototype innovative AI technologies and scale successful initiatives.

Skills

Python

ML/AI development

NLP & LLMs

Data modeling

SQL/NoSQL

Cloud platforms

MLOps

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/DS/AI

Tools

Pandas

TensorFlow/PyTorch

Knowledge graphs

NLP libraries

Job description

Putting people first, every day BDO is a firm built on a foundation of positive relationships with our people and our clients. Each day, our professionals provide exceptional service, helping clients with advice and insight they can trust. In turn, we offer an award-winning environment that fosters a people-first culture with a high priority on your personal and professional growth.

Your Opportunity We are seeking a highly skilled and business-oriented Data Scientist to join the Tax R&D Lab within the Tax Transformation Office and help shape the future of how Tax operates across the practice.

The Tax R&D Lab serves as the experimentation, innovation, and solution development engine supporting the broader Tax Transformation roadmap and Total Tax Ecosystem vision.

Working alongside other functions within the Tax Transformation Office — including Transformation Relationship Management (TRM), Data & Analytics, and Innovation & Change (I&C) — this role will help identify, prototype, build, and scale intelligent solutions that modernize workflows, improve operational efficiency, and enhance client outcomes across Tax.

This is a net new role that will focus on applying data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics to solve complex business problems, modernize workflows, and unlock new opportunities across the practice.

This is not a traditional reporting or analytics role. We are looking for someone who can combine deep technical expertise with strong business understanding, innovation mindset, and practical execution capability.

Key Responsibilities

• AI, Machine Learning & Advanced Analytics Design, build, train, and optimize machine learning and AI models to support Tax transformation initiatives
• Develop intelligent solutions leveraging NLP, generative AI, knowledge graphs, predictive analytics, and automation capabilities
• Support experimentation and prototyping of emerging AI technologies and use cases within Tax
• Evaluate model performance, explainability, reliability, and responsible AI considerations
• Contribute to development of scalable AI-enabled workflows and intelligent operational solutions
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Business Partnership Partner closely with Transformation Relationship Managers (TRMs), Tax practitioners, Innovation & Change (I&C), Data & Analytics, and leadership teams
• Contribute to multidisciplinary teams focused on solving business problems through technology, AI, automation, and workflow redesign
• Support rapid experimentation, prototyping, and scaling of innovative solutions within the Tax R&D Lab
• Help bridge strategy, business operations, and technical execution to accelerate transformation outcomes
• Translate complex business problems into practical analytical and AI-driven solutions
• Participate in discovery sessions, design thinking workshops, ideation activities, and working groups

Data Engineering & Platform Enablement

• Collect, clean, transform, and analyze large and complex datasets from multiple sources
• Build and maintain scalable data pipelines and model integration frameworks
• Support connected data and intelligence capabilities aligned to the broader Total Tax Ecosystem strategy
• Work with cloud-based environments and modern AI infrastructure to support scalable deployment and operationalization
• Collaborate with engineering teams to productionize and operationalize solutions

Innovation & R&D Collaboration

• Work closely with the Tax R&D Lab to validate concepts, prototype solutions, and scale successful initiatives
• Stay informed on emerging trends across AI, automation, tax technology, data science, and intelligent systems
• Help evaluate external tools, platforms, and ecosystem opportunities relevant to Tax Transformation
• Contribute to a culture of experimentation, innovation, and continuous improvement

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science, Data Science, Machine Learning, AI, or related quantitative discipline preferred
• 3+ years of experience building and deploying machine learning or AI solutions in production environments
• Strong proficiency in Python and modern data science libraries including Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-Learn, TensorFlow, or PyTorch
• Experience with NLP, generative AI, LLMs, vector databases, embeddings, or knowledge graph technologies preferred
• Experience with SQL and NoSQL databases and scalable data architectures
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS, or GCP
• Experience with MLOps, model deployment, APIs, and scalable AI infrastructure considered an asset
• Strong communication skills with ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Experience working in transformation, consulting, innovation, or business-facing environments considered an asset

Ideal Candidate Will Have

• Strong business curiosity and problem-solving mindset
• Passion for applying AI and data science to practical operational challenges
• Ability to balance experimentation with scalable execution
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills
• Interest in workflow modernization, intelligent automation, and future-state operating models
• Comfort operating in fast-paced and evolving transformation environments
• Passion for continuous learning and emerging technologies

Why Join the Tax Transformation Office?

You will help shape the future of Tax through AI-enabled transformation and intelligent modernization initiatives that directly impact how the business operates. This role offers exposure to:

• Enterprise AI and transformation initiatives
• Emerging technologies and advanced analytics
• Workflow modernization and intelligent automation
• Cross-functional collaboration with Tax, Innovation & Change, and leadership teams
• High-impact, business-facing innovation initiatives

Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to build solutions that drive meaningful operational and client impact across the practice.

Why BDO?

Our people-first approach to talent has earned us a spot among Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2026. This recognition is a milestone we’re thrilled to add to our collection of awards for both experienced and student talent experiences.

Our firm is committed to providing an environment where you can be successful in the following ways:

• We enable you to engage with how we change and evolve, being a key contributor to the success and growth of BDO in Canada.
• We help you become a better professional within our services, industries, and markets with extensive opportunities for learning and development.
• We support your achievement of personal goals outside of the office and making an impact on your community.
• Giving back adds up: Where company meets community.
• BDO is actively involved in our communities by supporting local charity initiatives.
• We support staff with local and national events where you will be given the opportunity to contribute to your community.

Total rewards that matter: We pay for performance with competitive total cash compensation that recognizes and rewards your contribution. We provide flexible benefits from day one, and a market leading personal time off policy. We are committed to supporting your overall wellness beyond working hours and provide reimbursement for wellness initiatives that fit your lifestyle.

Everyone counts: We believe every employee should have the opportunity to participate and succeed. Through leadership by our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader, we are committed to a workplace culture of respect, inclusion, and diversity. We recognize and celebrate the valuable differences among each of us, including race, religious beliefs, physical or mental disabilities, age, place of origin, marital status, family status, gender or gender identity and sexual orientation. If you require accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us.

Flexibility: All BDO personnel are expected to spend some of their time working in the office, at the client site, and virtually unless accommodations or alternative work arrangements are in place. Our model is a blended approach designed to support the flexible needs of our people, the firm and our clients. It’s about creating work experiences that meet everyone’s needs and providing flexibility to adjust when, where and how we work to meet the expectations of our role.

Code of Conduct: Our Code of Conduct sets clear standards for how we conduct business. It reflects our shared values and commitments and includes guiding principles to help us make ethical decisions and maintain trust with each other, our clients, and the public. BDO may use artificial intelligence enabled tools to support certain aspects of the recruitment process. While these tools assist our teams, our use of AI does not replace human decision making, and all employment-related outcomes are made by BDO personnel. More information on BDO Canada’s Privacy Policy can be found here: Privacy Policy | BDO Canada

When it comes to our people, we believe in helping you unlock possibilities, build your passions, and grow your competitive edge. From our expansive client base to growing talent pool, our people are the core of BDO. Our multi-award winning talent experience continues to make us proud. Our culture is open and collaborative. We foster inclusive ways to thinking and celebrate diversity among all contributors. We respect each other, do all things with integrity, and support our people to be their most authentic selves.