Senior Accountant - Commodity Tax

City Of Edmonton; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 107,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Edmonton is seeking a Senior Accountant specialized in Commodity Tax to ensure compliance with tax legislation. This role involves managing correspondence with the CRA, preparing GST filings, and offering tax guidance for city projects. The ideal candidate will have a strong accounting background, excellent communication skills, and the ability to interpret complex tax regulations. Join a dynamic financial team committed to excellence in public service.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of accounting experience, including tax research and application.
• Experience within a large organization is required.

Responsibilities

• Manage correspondence with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
• Ensure timely and accurate GST compliance filings.
• Provide technical support on Income Tax Act matters.

Skills

Excise Tax

Income Tax

Communication

Analytical Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Degree in Accounting

CPA, CA, CMA, CGA

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Google Applications

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

As a key member of the City of Edmonton's financial team, you will step into the role of Senior Accountant, Commodity Tax, where you will be directly responsible for ensuring the City's adherence to all relevant tax legislation, including GST, Non-Resident Withholding Tax, Payroll Income Tax, and regulations surrounding donations. Your daily activities will involve expertly leading the monthly and annual collection of financial information from various City departments. You will then meticulously reconcile this data against our SAP system, prepare detailed and accurate reporting information, and timely and compliant submission to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Beyond compliance, you will be a vital resource, offering expert interpretation and guidance on tax implications for City projects and initiatives.

What will you do?

• Manages the majority of correspondence with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
• Liaises with CRA auditors and the City's external auditors on issues related to excise tax
• Collaborates with internal legal counsel on matters concerning the interpretation of tax legislation or CRA guidance
• Ensures the timely and accurate monthly submission of GST compliance filings to the Canada Revenue Agency
• Designs and maintains appropriate internal controls and procedures to guarantee the accuracy of GST reporting and the completeness of underlying data
• Provides technical support, when requested, on matters related to the Income Tax Act, including general taxation, municipal tax exemptions, and payroll/taxable benefit inquiries
• Identifies opportunities for process and procedure enhancement, recommending changes and continuous improvements to streamline tax compliance while effectively managing risk
• Receives, reviews, consolidates, and reconciles (to SAP data) GST reports from all City departments
• Prepares the monthly GST remittance in accordance with legislative deadlines to maintain the City of Edmonton's compliance
• Ensures the timely and accurate monthly submission of non-resident withholding tax
• Consults with finance staff across business areas regarding GST requirements and the preparation of monthly reporting
• Oversee and/or prepare and issue T4A-NR and NR4's for non-resident withholding tax, GST/HST pension entity rebate applications, and any other necessary rebate or election forms
• Provides technical advice to City of Edmonton staff on highly complex GST and non-resident withholding tax issues (e.g., tax implications in agreements, exemptions, etc.)

Qualifications

• Degree from a recognized post secondary institution with a major in accounting is required
• Professional Accounting Designation (CPA, CA, CMA, CGA) is required
• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible accounting experience within a large organization, including excise tax and income tax research, application and advice

Assets:

• Experience within the municipal government would be an asset
• Completion of CPA In-depth GST/HST program would be an asset

Skills required for success:

• Signification knowledge and experience in excise tax
• An understanding of Income Tax and Excise Tax Acts (sections relevant to the scope of work)
• Significant skill in communicating highly technical tax information in plain language to non-tax professionals
• Strong understanding of public sector accounting standards as directed by the CPA Public Sector Accounting Handbook
• Strong understanding of acceptable business practices, internal controls, and policies within a large corporate environment
• Strong, independent, analytical, problem-solving skills and effective communication are expected to resolve operational and business issues
• High level of analytical and conceptual skills to identify and resolve complex financial problems
• Commitment to excellence in customer service while ensuring adherence to professional standards
• Strong communication skills and an ability to explain complex financial and tax information to non-financial stakeholders
• Ability to build and maintain a working relationship with all levels of management and non-management personnel
• Technical proficiency in major financial and analytical software systems
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills is required, in addition to proficiency using Google Applications and Microsoft Office Suite
• General competencies identified through the Chartered Professional Accountant Competency Map (or any comparable guiding document released by CPA) be used in carrying out position responsibilities:
  • Acting ethically and demonstrating professional values
  • Solving problems and adding value
  • Communicating Managing self
  • Collaborating and leading
• Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm)
• Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion

Conditions of Employment:

• Hire is dependent on a Police Information Check satisfactory to the City of Edmonton. There may be a cost associated with this requirement
• Applicants may be tested

Work Environment:

• Note: This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with the flexibility to work from both home and the worksite as per the Letter of Understanding between the City of Edmonton and Civic Service Union 52.
• The weekly hours of work for this position are currently under review and may change at a future time. Any changes will be made in accordance with the City of Edmonton/Civic Service Union 52 collective agreement and the incumbent will be notified in advance.

The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact [e-mail]. Learn more about our benefits https://bit.ly/COEbenefits

Up to 1 permanent full-time position

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week
Salary Range: $51.501 - $65.049 (Hourly); $107,534.09 - $135,822.31 (Annually)
Talent Acquisition Consultant: RD/SB

Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.

Classification Title: Senior Accountant
Posting Date: May 16, 2025
Closing Date: June 6, 2025 11:59:00 PM (MDT)
Number of Openings (up to): 1 - Permanent Full-time
Union: CSU 52
Department: Financial and Corporate Services
Work Location(s): Chancery Hall, 6th Floor, 3 Sir Winston Churchill Square Edmonton T5J 2C3