Tax Manager

Distinct | North America; Burlington; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Small firm environment

Direct access to senior leadership

Staff development

Job summary

Distinct | North America in Burlington, Canada, seeks a Tax Manager with a passion for public accounting beyond compliance. You’ll review T1s, T2s and T3s, identify planning opportunities, and guide business owners through reorganizations, estates and CRA matters.

You’ll join a small CPA firm where you know your clients, work with senior leadership, and help shape the tax department’s growth and processes.

Qualifications

• Canadian CPA experience in public accounting is required.
• Minimum 5+ years Canadian tax experience in a CPA firm.
• Manager level or readiness to step up from senior level.

Responsibilities

• Review T1, T2 and T3 tax returns.
• Review GST/HST and other indirect tax filings.
• Lead responses to CRA audits and tax disputes.
• Provide proactive tax planning and guidance.
• Support corporate reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions.
• Advise on cross-border transactions, trusts, estates.

Skills

Canadian tax

CPA / CPA designation

Manager experience

T1/T2/T3 review

Corporate tax

Trusts and estates

CRA audits

Cross-border reporting

Tax planning

Mentoring staff

Education

CPA designation

Job description

This is a Tax Manager role for someone who enjoys the part of public accounting that happens beyond compliance. You’ll still be reviewing T1s, T2s and T3s, but a significant part of the position is about understanding clients properly, spotting planning opportunities and helping business owners through reorganizations, succession, estates, CRA matters and more complex tax decisions.

You’ll be joining a small CPA firm in Burlington, where the structure is deliberately hand-on. You’ll know the clients you’re advising, work directly with senior leadership and have a meaningful role in developing the tax team.

Why this role stands out:

• Small CPA firm environment
• Direct access to senior leadership
• Strong owner-managed business client base
• Mix of tax compliance and planning
• Corporate reorganizations and transaction exposure
• Estate and succession planning
• Cross-border and foreign reporting exposure
• Opportunity to influence how the tax department develops
• Strong client ownership
• Staff leadership and development

What you’ll be doing:

• Review T1, T2 and T3 tax returns
• Review GST/HST and other indirect tax filings
• Review T1134, T106 and foreign affiliate reporting
• Lead responses to CRA audits and tax disputes
• Provide proactive tax planning advice
• Support corporate reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions
• Advise on cross-border transactions
• Work on succession and estate planning
• Identify tax risks and recommend practical solutions
• Act as a primary point of contact for clients
• Provide technical guidance to other members of the firm
• Coach and develop tax staff
• Contribute to departmental planning, workflow and process improvements
• Support recruitment, retention and succession planning
• Represent the firm at networking and community events

What they’re looking for:

• Previous Canadian CPA firm/public accounting experience
• 5+ years of Canadian tax experience within a CPA firm
• Previous Manager experience, or a strong Senior ready to step up
• Strong T1, T2 and T3 review experience
• Strong Canadian corporate tax knowledge
• Experience with corporate reorganizations and tax planning
• Exposure to trusts, estates and succession planning
• Experience dealing with CRA audits and disputes
• T1134, T106 and foreign reporting experience would be valuable
• Strong client relationship skills
• Experience reviewing, mentoring and developing staff
• Comfortable acting as a technical resource within the firm
• Owner-managed business experience would be particularly relevant

We support the CPA firms we partner with in building diverse, inclusive and equitable workplaces, and even if this role isn’t the right fit, there may be another one that is.