Senior Accounting Advisor

Ontario Securities Commission; Toronto; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) seeks a Senior Accounting Advisor to provide expert guidance on financial reporting and assurance matters. You will advise OSC staff, liaise with external regulators and CPAB, and help interpret accounting standards for complex scenarios.

This role emphasizes collaboration with senior leaders and cross-divisional teams. The position requires a CPA designation, deep IFRS/CAS knowledge, and substantial experience in issuer or public accounting environments, with

Qualifications

• CPA designation and strong technical accounting foundation.
• Deep knowledge of IFRS and CAS with ability to apply professional judgement.
• Significant financial reporting experience in issuer or public accounting environments.
• Ability to research, analyze, and synthesize complex accounting issues.
• Strong understanding of accounting/auditing standards foundations.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and resolve complex financial reporting and assurance issues under the Ontario Securities Act.
• Provide advisory services to staff and interact with issuers, auditors, and advisors.
• Comment on proposed accounting and ethics standards issued for comment by standard setters.
• Participate in special projects involving other regulators or CPAB.
• Monitor evolving trends in financial reporting and communicate insights to OSC teams.
• Publish staff views on important financial reporting issues through writings and public speaking.

Skills

CPA designation

IFRS knowledge

CAS knowledge

Financial reporting

Analytical thinking

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Problem solving

Education

CPA designation

Job description

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is the statutory body responsible for regulating Ontario’s capital markets in accordance with the mandate established in the provincial Securities Act and the Commodity Futures Act. The mandate of the OSC is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair, efficient and competitive capital markets and confidence in the capital markets, to foster capital formation, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic risk. This mandate is performed through policy, operational, and enforcement activities. The OSC also contributes to national and global securities regulation development.

We offer a diverse, fair, and flexible work environment and take pride in our challenging and rewarding work.

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is the statutory body responsible for regulating Ontario’s capital markets in accordance with the mandate established in the provincial Securities Act and the Commodity Futures Act. The mandate of the OSC is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair, efficient and competitive capital markets and confidence in the capital markets, to foster capital formation, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic risk. This mandate is performed through policy, operational, and enforcement activities. The OSC also contributes to national and global securities regulation development.

We offer a diverse, fair, and flexible work environment and take pride in our challenging and rewarding work.

The Department of the Chief Accountant supports the OSC by providing expert advice on financial reporting and assurance matters impacting the Canadian capital markets. Staff work closely with all Divisions of the OSC and maintain relationships with various external stakeholders involved with financial reporting in public markets.

The Senior Accounting Advisor will provide expert advice and direction to the Chief Accountant and Associate Chief Accountant, the Commission, and staff on financial reporting and assurance. The role will also involve liaising directly with prominent external stakeholders, including representatives from other provincial and international securities regulators, accounting and assurance standard setters, and the Canadian Public Accountability Board (CPAB).

What you will do

Relying on your strong technical expertise and ability to work collaboratively and build consensus with others, you will:

• Analyze and resolve complex or novel financial reporting and assurance issues arising in the context of reviews of financial statements and other documents filed under the Ontario Securities Act.
• Provide advisory services to staff from internal divisions and departments on accounting and assurance matters, which may involve interacting with issuers, their auditors and advisors.
• Analyze and provide comments on proposed accounting, assurance and ethics standards that are issued for comment by domestic and international standard setters.
• Participate on special projects pertaining to financial reporting and assurance matters, which may involve interaction with external parties, such as other provincial securities regulators or CPAB.
• Monitor and evaluate new and evolving trends and developments in financial reporting and assurance, including the activities of national and international standards-setting bodies, and provide information about these trends and developments to other OSC divisions and accounting staff.
• Communicate staff’s views on important financial reporting and assurance issues through publications and public speaking engagements.

What do you need to be successful in this role

• A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation with a minimum of 8+ years of relevant experience subsequent to obtaining designation as a CPA.
• Deep knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and Canadian Audit Standards (CASs), including experience applying professional judgment to complex and emerging accounting and reporting matters.
• Significant financial reporting experience gained at a reporting issuer and/or within the assurance practice of a public accounting firm.
• Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, and synthesize complex multi-dimensional financial reporting problems issues, and develop practical, well-supported recommendations.
• A strong understanding of the conceptual foundations of accounting and auditing standards, with the ability to translate technical requirements into operationally effective solutions.
• Exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to navigate ambiguity, assess risks, and balance technical accuracy with business realities
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships and effectively engage, influence, and communicate with senior leaders and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and are adept at positively influencing and adapting your approach with another party to achieve optimal resolution of challenges.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and consistently deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced environment.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach, with a commitment to continuous learning and professional excellence.

Grow your career and make a difference working at the OSC!

We thank all applicants for their interest in the Ontario Securities Commission. We will contact those selected for an interview.

Grow your career and make a difference working at the OSC.

The OSC is committed to diversity and providing an inclusive workplace and providing accommodation in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Human Rights Code. It is our priority to ensure employment opportunities are visible and barrier-free to all under-represented groups including but not limited to, Indigenous, Black and racialized groups, people with disabilities, women and people from the 2SLGBTQI+ community, to achieve an employee demographic profile reflective of the demographic profile of Ontarians.

The OSC is a proud partner with the following organizations: Ascend Canada, BlackNorth Initiative, Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, and Pride at Work Canada

If you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know by contacting our confidential inbox [e-mail].

Visit Accessibility at the OSC to review the OSC’s policies on accessibility and accommodation in the workplace.