Senior Financial Accountant

CANARIE; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 105,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

CANARIE, Canada’s National Research and Education Network, invites applications for a Senior Financial Accountant. This full-time, permanent role supports CANARIE’s finance function, focusing on accurate financial reporting, audit support, and process improvement.

The position reports to the Director of Finance Operations and offers a salary range of $105,000 to $135,000 CAD. The Senior Financial Accountant will lead closing activities, manage external audits, and enhance internal controls,

Qualifications

• College diploma or university degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with process automation is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Prepare financial statements, working papers, reconciliations, and schedules.
• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing activities.
• Analyze complex transactions in line with standards and funding agreements.
• Coordinate external audit activities.
• Collaborate with FP&A on budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Maintain and improve accounting processes and internal controls.
• Implement finance policies and compliance frameworks.
• Support finance automation, including AI tools, to improve workflows.
• Document procedures to ensure continuity.

Skills

Canadian GAAP knowledge

Not-for-profit tax knowledge

Financial analysis

Process improvement

Communication & collaboration

Judgment & discretion

Excel proficiency

ERP systems proficiency

Education

Accounting/Finance degree

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

CANARIE connects Canada to the world. Our programs equip researchers, students, and startups in Canada to excel on the global stage.

Together with our 13 provincial and territorial partners, we form Canada’s National Research and Education Network. This ultra-high-speed network connects Canada’s researchers, educators, and innovators to each other and to global data, technology, and colleagues.

To strengthen the security of Canada’s research and education sector, we collaborate with our partners in the National Research and Education Network, government, academia, and the private sector to fund, implement, and support cybersecurity initiatives. We also provide identity management services to the academic community through eduroam and identity and access management services.

Established in 1993, CANARIE is a non-profit corporation, with most of our funding provided by the Government of Canada.

Who We Are

We’re a small team of dedicated thinkers, innovators, and problem-solvers. Our team is positive, passionate, and collaborative.

We work with Canada’s higher-ed community and government partners to ensure that Canada’s researchers benefit from the technologies and tools that are critical to their success. Together with our partners across the country, we work to ensure that Canada leads in research and innovation.

The Position: Senior Financial Accountant

The Senior Financial Accountant is accountable for supporting CANARIE’s finance function through accounting, reporting, audit support, compliance, and process improvement.

The Senior Financial Accountant brings strong accounting knowledge, sound judgment, and practical problem-solving skills to support accurate financial reporting, effective decision-making, and continuous improvement across the finance function.

This is a new full-time, permanent position that reports to CANARIE’s Director, Finance Operations.

The salary range for this role is between $105,000 to $135,000.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare financial statements, working papers, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Lead and participate in month-end, quarter-end, and year-end accounting closing activities.
• Analyze complex accounting transactions and ensure they are in accordance with applicable standards and funding agreements.
• Lead and coordinate external audit activities.
• Collaborate with Financial Planning & Analysis on budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting
• Maintain and improve accounting processes, procedures, and internal controls.
• Implement finance policies, internal controls, and compliance frameworks.
• Support the use of automation, AI, and other tools to improve finance workflows.
• Document procedures and share knowledge with colleagues to support consistency and continuity.
• Provide backup support across key finance activities, as required.
• Travel may occasionally be required.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

The Ideal Candidate

To excel at CANARIE, you have a demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively on teams and are also an energetic self-starter with self-motivation to work independently. You have excellent oral and written communication skills, and can count time management, problem solving, and managing multiple priorities as your strengths. You also share a dedication to CANARIE’s core values: service, trust, resilience, inclusion, discovery, and excellence.

What You Bring

Education and Experience

• College diploma or university degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or a suitable combination of education, experience, or other relevant training.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with process automation, is desirable.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of Canadian GAAP and the ability to apply accounting standards.
• Working knowledge of Canadian tax requirements relevant to not-for-profit organizations, including commodity taxes and taxable benefits.
• Strong ability to analyze complex financial information and recommend practical actions.
• Strong process improvement skills, including the ability to identify efficiencies and improve consistency in finance workflows.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues across departments.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and problem-solving skills when handling sensitive financial information.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• High proficiency using ERP systems.

Come Work with Us

We are committed to employment equity and encourage anyone who can contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives to apply. For applicants with disabilities, accommodation is available upon request throughout the recruitment and assessment process.

We thank all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.