Manager, Technical Accounting

Recurrent Energy; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 170,000 - 226,000; Full time

Job summary

Canadian Solar seeks a Senior Financial Accountant for its Global Technical Accounting team, primarily handling US GAAP technical accounting and supporting North America reporting. This role is based in Canada/US, with exposure to cross-functional teams including Tax, FP&A, and Project Finance.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years of progressive accounting experience and a CPA qualification, with energy infrastructure experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• 7+ years progressive experience, including 3+ years in a technical accounting or financial reporting role.
• US or Canada CPA qualification required.
• Experience in energy, infrastructure, or construction industries preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own US GAAP research projects globally on complex areas surrounding renewable energy.
• Draft technical accounting memos with clear conclusions and audit-defensible rationale.
• Interpret US GAAP guidance to determine accounting and reporting treatment for new, material, or unusual transactions.
• Draft and maintain accounting policies and procedures in response to business and accounting standard changes.
• Provide technical accounting support for close processes, particularly on areas involving significant judgments and estimates.

Skills

US GAAP

MS Office

HFM

SAP

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA certification

Job description

At Canadian Solar, our vision is to make lives better by bringing electricity powered by the sun to millions of people worldwide. As a leading manufacturer of solar panels, inverters, and energy storage solutions, we’ve been an industry front-runner since our founding in 2001. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in all parts of our organization as we navigate the complexities of a booming industry.

Throughout Canadian Solar’s subsidiaries, e-Storage, Recurrent Energy, MSS and CSI Solar Co., we invest in our employees’ growth. Our training programs and promotional opportunities ensure we all can continue to learn. We understand the importance of work-life balance and provide various flexible work options to support our employees’ well-being. Join our team to "Make the Difference" by creating a lasting positive impact on the world and the communities where we operate.

Status: Permanent
Functional Area: Global
Grade: Manager
Location: Canada / US

Summary

• The selected candidate will be a member of Recurrent Energy’s Finance team, reporting to the Senior Manager, Global Technical Accounting.
• This individual contributor role will be responsible primarily for US GAAP technical accounting and secondarily for the North America region’s accounting and reporting support.

Principal Responsibilities / Key Results Areas

US GAAP Technical Accounting Research & Memos (60%)

• Own US GAAP research projects globally on complex areas surrounding renewable energy business.
• Draft technical accounting memos with clear conclusions and audit-defensible rationale.
• Interpret US GAAP guidance to determine accounting and reporting treatment for new, material, or unusual transactions.
• Draft and maintain accounting policies and procedures in response to business and accounting standard changes.
• Provide technical accounting support for close processes, particularly on areas involving significant judgments and estimates.

Regional Accounting and Reporting Support (30%)

• Partner with North America controllership to support project-level financial statement preparation and audit.
• Assist in annual closing process of North America project-level SPVs.

Cross-Functional Partnership (<10%)

• Collaborate with Project Finance, Legal, Tax, and other functional teams to assess accounting implications of new initiatives prior to execution.
• Support due diligence accounting requests.
• Partner with FP&A to incorporate latest business models in accounting analysis and financial reporting.

Team and Corporate Development (<10%)

• Develop training materials for the broader finance organization and for non-finance personnel.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, intellectual curiosity, and continuous improvement within the technical accounting function.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Financial & Organizational Scope / Reporting Relationships & Interactions

• Technical Accounting.
• Direct financial impact.
• Reports to Senior Manager, Global Technical Accounting.
• Works with various teams in the organization, including Tax, FP&A, Project Finance, Legal, and regional controllership team.
• Interaction with outside vested parties (auditors and advisors).

Requirements

Knowledge & Skills

• Expert knowledge of US GAAP.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of products, HFM (Hyperion Financial Management), and SAP.
• Strong communication and project management skills.

Abilities

• Detail-oriented, with a strong sense of process ownership.
• Ability to deal effectively with a diversity of parties globally and influence at all organizational levels.
• Eagerness to solve complex accounting problems while valuing occasional hands-on financial reporting work.
• Comfortable working in an unstructured, entrepreneurial environment.

Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• 7 years of progressive experience, including 3+ years in a technical accounting or financial reporting role.
• US or Canada CPA qualification required.
• Experience in energy, infrastructure, or construction industries preferred.
• Big-4 audit experience preferred.

Other Comments

• Based in Canada / US.