Director of Operations – CPA

Aplin; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Aplin, based in downtown Edmonton, seeks a Director of Operations to lead day-to-day business operations, admin infrastructure, and technology strategy. The ideal candidate is a CPA with 7+ years of relevant experience and will partner with the Partner Group to drive strategic and operational priorities.

The role emphasizes governance, risk management, and a scalable operating model to support growth, regulatory compliance, and an enhanced employee experience.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of leadership experience in operations or professional services.
• Experience in a CPA firm or regulated environment preferred.
• Experience leading process improvements and technology projects.
• Experience managing budgets and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Partner Group to establish and evaluate strategic priorities.
• Translate firm-wide objectives into operating models, policies, procedures, and scalable business processes.
• Provide leadership for operations, administrative infrastructure, and business support functions.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, service quality, employee experience, and overall business performance.
• Oversee operational risks, governance, and risk management practices.
• Lead the firm’s technology strategy and roadmap, aligning with growth.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, SLAs, and budgeting.
• Coordinate workforce planning with HR and organizational design.
• Oversee major events, professional development programs, and initiatives.
• Lead special projects and emerging priorities identified by the Partner Group.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Cross-functional teams

Process improvements

Tech projects

CPA regulation

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, Accounting, Commerce, Finance, Management, Operations, or related field

Job description

Based in downtown Edmonton, our client is an established public practice firm looking to add a Director of Operations to its team. This role provides senior-level leadership for the firm’s day-to-day business operations, administrative infrastructure, technology environment, and organizational processes. The ideal candidate is a designated CPA with 7+ years of relevant experience.

About the Position

• Partner with the Partner Group to establish, implement, and evaluate strategic and operational priorities.
• Translate firm-wide objectives into practical operating models, policies, procedures, and scalable business processes.
• Provide overall leadership for the firm’s operations, administrative infrastructure, and business support functions.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, service quality, employee experience, and overall business performance.
• Ensure the firm’s infrastructure, processes, and resources evolve to support organizational growth, changing client expectations, increased staffing, and regulatory requirements.
• Stay informed of developments across the accounting and professional services sectors, including regulatory changes, technology advancements, and emerging operational practices.
• Establish and maintain effective governance, internal controls, and risk management practices in accordance with CPA Alberta and applicable professional, privacy, regulatory, and legal requirements.
• Oversee operational risks related to information security, privacy, records retention, business continuity, and organizational resilience.
• Lead the firm’s technology strategy and roadmap, ensuring alignment with business objectives and future growth.
• Act as the primary operational contact for IT providers, technology consultants, software vendors, and other technology partners, and oversee key technology projects, implementations, integrations, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Manage key vendor relationships, including selection, contracts, service levels, and performance, while overseeing operational spending and resource planning within established budgets.
• Lead, develop, and support the firm’s operations and administrative teams, fostering accountability, collaboration, ownership, and effective decision-making.
• Partner with HR on workforce planning, organizational design, employee development, change initiatives, and succession planning.
• Coordinate operational requirements for major firm events, professional development programs, annual meetings, and other significant initiatives.
• Lead and support special projects and emerging priorities identified by the Partner Group.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Accounting, Commerce, Finance, Management, Operations, or a related field.
• 8–10 years of leadership experience in operations, business administration, or professional services.
• Experience working in a CPA firm, professional services organization, or regulated environment is preferred.
• Experience leading process improvements, organizational changes, and technology projects.
• Experience managing budgets, business projects, and cross-functional teams
• Knowledge of current issues and challenges within the accounting and CPA profession.

At Aplin — together with our brands CompuStaff, Impact Recruitment, and Vantix Systems — we connect great people with great organizations across North America. We believe diverse teams build stronger companies, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We use AI tools to assist in a fair and efficient matching process, helping our recruiters connect the right people with the right opportunities. To be considered, applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada, including holding any required permits. Our recruitment services are always free for job seekers.Accommodation is available upon request throughout all stages of the recruitment process.