Graduate Recruitment Opportunities (GRO) - CPA Development Program (CAN)

Manulife; Waterloo; Hybrid; CAD 53,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider in Waterloo is seeking graduates for their Graduate Recruitment Opportunities program. This role focuses on finance and accounting, providing a CPA development program with hands-on experience in financial reporting, analysis, and risk management. Ideal candidates should be graduating from an accredited university and possess strong analytical skills. This hybrid position offers competitive compensation and mentorship opportunities.

Benefits

Paid study time for CPA courses

Professional mentorship from a CPA

Flexible work environment

Qualifications

• Eligible for CPA PEP courses upon graduation, starting in 2026.
• Committed to attaining a CPA designation.
• Ability to synthesize complex information.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to monthly and quarterly financial reporting.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on financial analysis.
• Support process automation initiatives.

Skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Proficiency in Excel

Solution-oriented mindset

Collaborative team player

Education

Graduating from an accredited university

Tools

SQL

Python

Power BI

SAS

Alteryx

Job description

Graduate Recruitment Opportunities (GRO) at Manulife John Hancock. Start your career with purpose, growth, and community.

At Manulife John Hancock, we believe in investing in the future—starting with you. Our Graduate Recruitment Opportunities (GRO) program is a bold new approach to early talent development, designed to launch your career with the support, structure, and opportunities you need to thrive. GRO is Manulife John Hancock ’s flagship early talent program and brand. It’s more than just a job—it’s a launchpad for your career. GRO offers a consistent, high-quality experience for new graduates across the organization.

Accelerate your career in finance and accounting with our CPA Development Program, a key stream within our GRO early talent program. This 30–36 month direct-hire program places new graduates in Canada across two core rotations in areas such as Financial Reporting, Expense Management, Internal Audit, External Reporting, Taxation, Internal Controls, and Financial Planning & Analysis. You’ll gain hands-on experience while building foundational skills in financial analysis, reporting, and risk management. As part of CPADP, you’ll join a vibrant community of peers, benefit from professional development events, mentorship, and leadership exposure, and be empowered to grow into a future-ready finance leader.

Position Responsibilities:

• Contribute to monthly and quarterly financial reporting and analysis, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify risks and opportunities and escalate issues impacting financial results.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives through process automation and procedural enhancements.
• Develop and deliver reports that provide insights into financial and business performance.
• Apply your accounting knowledge to support internal controls, audit readiness, and compliance.
• Participate in strategic projects that align with business goals and CPA competencies.
  

Required Qualifications:

• Graduating from an accredited university and eligible for CPA PEP courses upon graduation, with availability to start in 2026.
• Committed to attaining a CPA designation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a solution-oriented mindset.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Self-starter with a high level of initiative and a collaborative team player.
• Proficiency in Excel and a keen interest in financial systems and reporting tools.
• Ability to synthesize complex information and make impactful recommendations.

Optional Business Intelligence Stream:

• In addition to the traditional CPA rotation program, Manulife offers an optional 12-month rotation in a business analytics function. This stream provides hands-on experience with tools such as SQL, SAS, Power BI, Alteryx, and Python. Ideal for candidates with a passion for data and programming, this stream enhances your ability to drive insights and innovation through analytics.
• Business Intelligence stream only: Describe your vision of how technology will impact traditional accounting roles, and how your skill set positions you to lead the organization through this transformation. (max. 150 words)

When you join our team:

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.
• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.
• Formal mentorship from a CPA-designated professional.
• Paid study time and financial support for CPA courses and exams, including the CFE.
• Structured rotations aligned with CPA practical experience requirement.

Application Instructions:

• Please submit a resume, cover letter and most recent transcript (unofficial transcripts are accepted).
• If you are interested in applying for the business intelligence stream, please make sure to answer the question related to the stream.

#LI-Hybrid

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html .

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [e-mail] .

Referenced Salary Location

Toronto, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$53,775.00 CAD - $89,625.00 CAD

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [e-mail] for the salary range for your location. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence. If you are applying for this role in the U.S., please contact [e-mail] for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.