Intermediate Accountant (12 month contract)

Mars, Incorporated; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pet food manufacturer is seeking an Intermediate Accountant for a 12-month contract in Edmonton. The role includes ensuring financial close accuracy, preparing financial reports, and project management, requiring a Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of experience in financial management. This position offers competitive wages, great benefits, and a commitment to safety and diversity within the workplace. If you’re driven to grow professionally, this opportunity could be for you.

Benefits

Competitive wages

Medical, Dental, Vision benefits

In-house and online learning

Free Bag of Premium Pet Food

Free Parking

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in financial management.
• Working knowledge of financial reporting standards.
• Experience in multi-currency environments.

Responsibilities

• Support a three-day financial close cycle.
• Perform periodic balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare comprehensive financial management reports.

Skills

Financial management

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Problem resolution

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Enrolled in accounting designation

Tools

MS Excel

ERP systems

General Ledger systems

Job description

Job Description:

Champion Petfoods is expanding! We are excited to announce we are looking for an Intermediate Accountant (12-month contract) to join our rapidly growing company.

Champion Petfoods is an award‑winning pet food maker with a reputation of trust spanning 35+ years. Founded in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Champion – with its ORIJEN® and ACANA® brands – is a key player in the global premium pet food industry across three major geographic regions.

We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about personal and professional growth and see yourself as a key player contributing to our continued success as an award‑winning company.

Here’s the Scoop – Summary

The Intermediate Accountant will play a pivotal role in ensuring the accuracy, timeliness, and efficiency of the organization’s financial close processes.

This position involves close collaboration with the General Accounting team to maintain a rapid close cycle, support financial reporting, and drive continuous improvements. The role also encompasses project management responsibilities, including software implementations, and requires strong analytical capabilities to prepare detailed financial reports and reconciliations.

The Intermediate Accountant is responsible for performing a variety of accounting activities in accordance with accounting principles and standards to control the organization’s financial resources and ensure that it complies with all relevant regulations, laws, and reporting requirements.

The Intermediate Accountant reports to the Senior Manager, Financial Operations on a hybrid schedule, working 3 days in the office, and is based out of our Edmonton corporate office.

What a typical day looks like:

• Support a three-day financial close cycle in partnership with the General Accounting team.
• Perform periodic and quarterly balance sheet reconciliations, general ledger reconciliations, and investigate any accounting discrepancies or irregularities to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Collect, compile, verify, and analyze financial data to prepare comprehensive financial management reports and accounting statements, providing senior management with accurate and timely insights for strategic decision‑making.
• Maintain working papers and spreadsheets to support reporting and audit requirements.
• Support external audit and review processes under the supervision of the Senior Manager, Financial Operations, ensuring timely and accurate responses to inquiries.
• Lead and contribute to project initiatives, including the implementation of new accounting and financial software systems.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional project teams to address finance and accounting needs related to their respective program areas.
• Maintain a continuous focus on process improvement, including close processes and generation of internal financial reports to enhance their usefulness and efficiency; prepare external reports as required.
• Assist in the development and implementation of planning and control procedures, analyzing variances and reporting findings to management.
• Contribute to the maintenance and documentation of policies and procedures addressing complex financial and accounting issues.
• Perform forensic accounting services and handle ad‑hoc financial requests as needed.

What we’re looking for?

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field required.
• Enrolled in or working towards an accounting designation preferred.
• 3 + years of experience in financial management.
• Working knowledge of General Ledger, Chart of Account structure, intercompany transactions, financial statements and financial reporting standards.
• Experience in a multi‑currency and multi division environment desired.
• Experience in the areas of business analysis, business transformation, organizational effectiveness, and business process improvement.
• General understanding of computerized accounting systems, experience working with an ERP desired.
• Strong computer skills, with excellent advanced knowledge of MS Word and Excel.
• High level of critical and logical thinking, analysis, and/or reasoning to identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts; strong problem identification and problem resolution skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail while working under tight deadlines.
• Ability to follow through and complete overlapping projects.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to communicate well with various types of individuals at all levels of the organization.
• A good team player, and able to build and maintain lasting relationships with corporate departments and key business partners.
• Good organizational, time management and prioritizing skills.
• Ability to interpret and implement company policies and procedures.
• Some extended hours of work may be required.

What can you expect from Champion?

• Safety: a strong commitment to ensure all people are provided with a safe, healthy and respectful environment.
• Earnings: Competitive wages that give financial peace of mind, RRSP with company matching.
• Industry Competitive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision and Employee Assistance Programs to meet your individual or family needs.
• Continuing Education: In House & Online Learning & Development, as well as an Education Assistance Program.
• Quality: A dedication to uphold the highest standards of authenticity, nutritional integrity, and food safety, to earn the trust of Pet Lovers everywhere.
• Other Perks: Free Bag of Premium Pet Food each month, Free Parking and more!

What are you waiting for? Join the pack!

Come as you are.

We value diversity in all forms and know the power it can bring. Workplace equality allows for creative ideas to bloom, diverse points of views to be heard, and increases overall happiness. That sounds pretty good to us.

Champion is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other creed, you are wanted here.