Director, Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICOFR)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Health & Wellness

Time Off

Financial Security

Rewards and Recognition

Community engagement

Job summary

Canada Life is seeking a Director, ICOFR to lead the Canadian ICOFR program and ensure a sustainable, risk-based control environment that supports accurate financial reporting and CEO/CFO certification.

The role coordinates with Finance, Technology, Risk & Controls, Internal Audit, and External Audit to drive design, remediation, and continuous improvement of ICOFR controls, with strong leadership for the Canada Controller Group.

Qualifications

• CPA designation is required.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in internal controls, external audit, internal audit, or financial reporting, including leadership of teams and cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of internal control frameworks, including COSO and ICOFR/SOX, with experience evaluating deficiencies and remediation.
• Demonstrated experience leading ICOFR, control optimization, remediation, or control automation initiatives.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills for senior leaders and partners.
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams; insurance/financial services industry experience is a strong asset.

Responsibilities

• Govern governance and program oversight of the Canadian ICOFR program, coordinating across finance, technology, risk & controls, internal and external audit, and senior management.
• Oversee design, documentation, assessment, and continuous improvement of the Canadian control environment through risk assessment, scoping, and control optimization.
• Oversee deficiency evaluations and remediation activities, including severity evaluation and progress monitoring, reporting to senior management.
• Lead efforts to strengthen the overall control environment, improve control documentation, and promote accountability across the organization.
• Build and lead a high-performing team with coaching and development opportunities, fostering collaboration and business partnership.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Communication

Project Management

Team Building

Cross-functional Coordination

ICOFR/SOX Knowledge

Education

CPA designation

Tools

COSO framework

Job description

Director, Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICOFR)

Description:

Permanent Full Time

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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.

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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).

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’reunited by a shared purpose: to improve the financial,physicaland mental well-beingof Canadians. Our company is trusted by 1 in 3 Canadians and contributes to the strength of communities across the country.

We’relooking for people who live our values everyday: we step up, we do the right thing, and we deliver – for our customers,communitiesand 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 annuallytowardseducation 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 andpersonal days,we support communityinvolvement with avolunteer day.

• Financial Security:Company-matching pension plan,share ownership program andadditionalinvestment options.

• Rewards and Recognition:Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, employee discounts and more!
• Emphasis onCommunity:We provide aworkplace whereemployeesfeel connected and supported throughEmployee Resource Groups (ERGs),mentorshipprograms,socialclubsandevents.

Learn moreabout Canada Life .

We’recommitted 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 handledin accordance withapplicable laws and Canada Life policies.

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