Senior Manager, Accounting Operations

Recruiting In Motion - Eastern Ontario; Aurora; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client is seeking a Senior Manager, Accounting Operations to lead the transformation of its Accounting Shared Services function. You will centralize transactional accounting across multiple entities in Canada and the United States, oversee AP/AR/payroll, and drive automation initiatives to build a scalable shared services model.

You will report to the Corporate Controller and lead a team, establishing standardized processes, controls, and service levels while partnering with regional leaders

Qualifications

• CPA designation is an asset but not required.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting or accounting operations experience, including leadership within a multi-entity/multi-location organization.
• Demonstrated success building, centralizing, or transforming accounting operations, shared services, or transactional finance functions.
• Strong operational knowledge of Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and accounting process workflows.
• Experience leading process improvement, standardization, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing distributed teams across multiple business units or geographic regions.
• Strong understanding of internal controls and accounting processes, with the ability to identify operational risks and implement practical solutions.
• Experience working with ERP systems and accounting technologies, with a proven ability to support system enhancements and process optimization.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the transformation and ongoing leadership of the Accounting Shared Services function, overseeing AP, AR, Payroll, and other transactional accounting activities.
• Centralize and standardize accounting operations by implementing consistent processes, governance, and best practices.
• Design and optimize scalable accounting workflows that improve efficiency, consistency, and service delivery.
• Establish, monitor, and report on KPIs and SLAs to drive accountability and operational excellence.
• Partner with business leaders and regional teams to ensure timely, accurate delivery of accounting services.
• Oversee relationships with third-party service providers, ensuring performance standards are met.
• Collaborate with Corporate Controller to strengthen internal controls and governance.
• Ensure integrity and timeliness of transactional accounting data and sub-ledgers.
• Act as owner for systems supporting accounting operations and pursue automation opportunities.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to streamline workflows and reduce manual processes.
• Support integration of acquired businesses into standardized processes and shared services.
• Build and mentor a collaborative, service-oriented team with a culture of accountability.

Skills

Leadership

Process improvement

Accounting operations

Cross-functional collaboration

ERP knowledge

Education

CPA designation (asset)

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a Senior Manager, Accounting Operations to lead the transformation of its Accounting Shared Services function by centralizing transactional accounting activities across a growing, multi-entity organization operating throughout Canada and the United States. Reporting to the Corporate Controller, this newly created leadership role will be responsible for bringing together Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and transactional accounting teams under a unified operating model. You will play a critical role in establishing standardized processes, strengthening controls, improving service delivery, and driving automation initiatives to build a scalable Accounting Shared Services function that supports the organization's continued growth and acquisition strategy. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced accounting operations leader who thrives on building and improving processes, developing teams, and driving meaningful change.

Working Key Responsibilities

• Lead the transformation and ongoing leadership of the Accounting Shared Services function, overseeing Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and other transactional accounting activities across multiple entities and regions.
• Centralize and standardize accounting operations by implementing consistent processes, governance, and best practices across the organization.
• Design and optimize scalable accounting workflows that improve efficiency, consistency, and service delivery.
• Establish, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level expectations (SLAs) to drive accountability and operational excellence.
• Partner closely with business leaders and regional teams to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent delivery of accounting services while resolving operational issues as they arise.
• Oversee relationships with third-party service providers, including outsourced accounting and payroll partners, ensuring service expectations and performance standards are achieved.
• Collaborate with the Corporate Controller to strengthen internal controls, improve governance, and support the ongoing evolution of the finance function.
• Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of transactional accounting data and supporting sub-ledgers.
• Act as the business owner for systems supporting accounting operations, identifying opportunities for automation, process enhancements, and technology improvements.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that streamline workflows, eliminate manual processes, and enhance the effectiveness of the Accounting Shared Services function.
• Support the integration of newly acquired businesses into standardized accounting processes and shared services operations.
• Build, mentor, and develop a collaborative, service-oriented team while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• CPA designation is considered an asset but is not required.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting or accounting operations experience, including leadership responsibilities within a multi-entity or multi-location organization.
• Demonstrated success building, centralizing, or transforming accounting operations, shared services, or transactional finance functions.
• Strong operational knowledge of Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and accounting process workflows.
• Experience leading process improvement, standardization, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing distributed teams and collaborating across multiple business units or geographic regions.
• Strong understanding of internal controls and accounting processes, with the ability to identify operational risks and implement practical solutions.
• Experience working with ERP systems and accounting technologies, with a proven ability to support system enhancements and process optimization.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
• Highly organized, collaborative, and execution-focused, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

AI may be used to support certain administrative aspects of our recruitment process. However, all applications and resumes are reviewed by qualified human reviewers, and all screening and hiring decisions are made solely by the hiring team. The posted salary range reflects expected compensation for this role in accordance with Ontario pay transparency requirements. Actual compensation will be determined based on the successful candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications and may fall anywhere within the range.