Director, Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICOFR)

Canada Life; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 128,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education reimbursement

Health benefits

Mental health benefit

Volunteer day

Pension plan

Share ownership program

Employee discounts

ERGs & mentorship

Job summary

Canada Life is seeking a Director of Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICOFR) to lead the Canadian ICOFR program, ensuring a risk-based, effective control environment and CEO/CFO certification readiness. The role coords Finance, Risk & Controls, Internal Audit, and External Audit activities across Canada.

The position drives control design, remediation governance, and continuous improvement, while leading a high-performing team in a hybrid work model.

Qualifications

• CPA designation is required.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in internal controls, external audit, internal audit, or financial reporting.
• Experience leading teams and cross-functional initiatives; strong COSO/ICOFR/SOX knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Canadian ICOFR program with governance and oversight.
• Oversee design, documentation, assessment, and improvement of controls.
• Direct deficiency evaluation, remediation governance, and status reporting to senior management.
• Enhance the overall control environment via process and documentation improvements.
• Build and lead a high-performing team with coaching and development.

Skills

CPA designation

Leadership experience

Stakeholder management

Financial reporting knowledge

ICOFR/SOX knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Job description

Permanent Full Time

Reporting to the AVP, Accounting & Controls, the Director, Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICOFR) is responsible for leading the Canadian ICOFR program and ensuring the organization maintains a sustainable, risk-based, and effective control environment.

The Director serves as the central point of coordination across Canada Finance, Business, Technology, Risk & Controls, Internal Audit, and External Audit, providing governance and oversight over the design, evaluation, remediation, and continuous improvement of internal controls that support reliable financial reporting and CEO/CFO certification requirements.

This role is a key leadership position within the Canada Controller Group, responsible for driving control effectiveness, remediation governance, continuous improvement, and the overall maturity of the Canadian control environment.

What You Will Be Doing

• Governance & Program Oversight: Lead the Canadian ICOFR program by providing governance and oversight that supports CEO/CFO certification requirements, coordinating across Canada Finance, Business, Technology, Risk & Controls, Internal Audit, and External Audit, and delivering timely reporting, insights, and recommendations to senior management
• Control Design & Operating Effectiveness Oversight: Provide oversight of the design, documentation, assessment, and continuous improvement of the Canadian control environment through risk assessment and scoping activities, quality reviews, consistent application of ICOFR methodologies, and control optimization initiatives
• Deficiency Evaluation & Remediation Oversight: Provide Canada-wide governance over control deficiency assessments and remediation activities, including severity evaluation, remediation oversight, progress monitoring, and validation of remediation outcomes. Communicate ICOFR assessments, remediation status, emerging risks, and key conclusions to senior management
• Enhancing the Overall Control Environment: Lead the evolution of the Canadian control environment by identifying opportunities to strengthen processes and controls, enhancing the quality and consistency of control documentation, promoting stronger control ownership and accountability across the organization, and providing education and guidance to support control awareness
• Leadership: Build and lead a high-performing team by providing coaching, mentorship, and development opportunities, while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and business partnership

What You Will Bring

• CPA designation (required)
• 8+ years of progressive experience in internal controls, external audit, internal audit, or financial reporting, including experience leading teams, complex initiatives, and cross-functional stakeholder groups
• Strong knowledge of internal control frameworks, including COSO and Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICOFR/SOX), with experience evaluating control deficiencies, remediation activities, and financial reporting impacts
• Demonstrated experience leading ICOFR, control optimization, remediation, or control automation initiatives
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a dynamic environment
• Exceptional communication, presentation, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and business partners
• Proven experience building, coaching, and leading high-performing teams; experience within the insurance or financial services industry is a strong asset

Given the size and scope of our organization, we have the flexibility for this position to be located in the following head office locations: Toronto, London, Winnipeg. This role follows a hybrid work model, with an in-office presence required three days per week.

The base salary for this position is between $128,200 - $178,200 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.