Accounting Manager

Role: Accounting Manager
Location: Toronto
Job Type: Hybrid – WFH + In Office

Who We Are
Smith + Andersen is a trusted, Canadian, multi-disciplinary engineering firm with ten offices in five provinces and approximately 700 employees. Our Toronto office has approximately 250 employees with a national shared services team (Accounting, Business and Proposals, Human Resources, IT, Legal, Marketing and Communications, and Operations) supporting all ten regional offices.

At Smith + Andersen, our employees contribute to some of the most sustainable building design projects in Canada. The work we do has a meaningful impact on the community by contributing to landmark projects such as hospitals, transit stations, parks, federal and provincial government buildings, and post-secondary institutions.

Our values drive and define everything we do, demonstrating a deep commitment to sustainability, mentorship, and quality work that spans nearly six decades in business. In addition, we are proud to have been certified as a Great Place to Work and selected as one of Canada’s Best Workplaces for the highly collaborative culture we’ve built and for empowering employees to do great work!

This Opportunity
Our Toronto location is seeking an Accounting Manager to join its diverse Accounting team. Reporting to the Operational Controller, the successful candidate will bring expertise in project accounting, preferably in the AEC industry, to lead our team of Project Accountants and support the day-to-day activities of the accounting team. In this role, you will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate execution of the AR cycle, support daily accounting tasks, maintain compliance with accounting standards, and drive workflow improvements. You will also mentor and support a high-performing team while contributing to process optimization initiatives.

Why choose Smith + Andersen?
In addition to an exciting career filled with meaningful work, we offer:

• Flexible hours and half-day Fridays (all year round)
• Comprehensive Group Health Benefits Program, including a Health Spending Account
• Group Retirement Savings Plan (Employer and Employee Contributions)
• Employee Share Ownership Program (ESOP)
• Purchase Time off Program
• Transit Subsidy Program
• Wide variety of community and social events
• Great Place to Work-Certified
• Best Workplaces in Ontario
• Best Workplaces for Mental Wellness TM

What You’ll Do

• Oversee the project billing process and act as a resource for the project accountants when evaluating tax issues, budget/project reconciliations, and related project billing issues.
• Contribute to the generation and issuance of client invoices for all assigned divisions and projects, reviewing project billing details and fee agreements to confirm correct application of sub-consultant fees. Approve credit memos and revised invoices based on client requests and ensure all adjustments are accurately documented.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for client inquiries related to billing, fees, and project changes. Investigate, analyze, and reconcile any discrepancies, partnering with principals or designated project managers to resolve issues expediently.
• Ensure proper procedures for maintenance of client files are communicated and enforced.
• Assist with month-end close activities, year-end audits, and other accounting tasks as needed, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and organizational policies.
• Complete reconciliations for assigned GL/bank accounts.
• Assist with the preparation of financial reporting as requested.
• Execute intercompany billings, verifying that amounts are accurately recorded in the accounting systems. Investigate and resolve discrepancies, ensuring data integrity and compliance with established accounting procedures.
• Train, mentor, and support team members, fostering a collaborative culture of continuous learning and professional development. Provide clear guidance and ensure team members have the resources and knowledge to excel in their roles.
• Champion best practices, quality control measures, and process standardization. Lead and participate in special projects aimed at improving accounting systems, processes, and reporting capabilities, leveraging experience in project accounting particularly in the AEC sector, to enhance team effectiveness.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external vendors to identify opportunities for system enhancements and workflow improvements. Assist in the evaluation, testing, and implementation of new tools and technologies designed to streamline accounting operations and deliver greater efficiencies.
• Support Operational Controller and CFO with ad-hoc requests as required.

Who You Are:

• At least seven years of progressive accounting experience, with a strong background in project accounting.
• Proven ability to independently reconcile project ledgers and prepare journal entries.
• Post-secondary degree or diploma in accounting or business.
• CPA designation or enrollment in a CPA program.
• Proven experience in project accounting is required; AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry experience is a strong asset.
• Working experience and strong knowledge of Deltek Vantagepoint.
• Excellent knowledge of all Microsoft Office Suites, specifically Excel.
• Canadian payroll experience not required but considered an asset.
• Strong numerical skills with a high degree of accuracy.
• Superior analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with all internal staff at all levels and external vendors.
• Excellent time management skills and able to prioritize multiple conflicting demands.

About Smith + Andersen
Founded in 1965, Smith + Andersen has organically grown from an established reputation as a trusted engineering consulting firm, reaching new levels of engineering and design excellence in the mechanical, electrical, communications, security, and audiovisual fields, and providing enhanced services such as lighting, building automation systems, and intelligent integrated systems design. Thanks to our client-focused approach, we are able to apply efficient, sustainable, and reliable design and engineering solutions on some of the most exciting projects across Canada.

For more information about Smith + Andersen, please visit our website at www.smithandandersen.com.

Accommodation
Appropriate accommodations will be provided to candidates upon request throughout the recruitment and hiring process. If you require accommodation during any phase of the hiring process, please advise the Human Resources Specialist with whom you are in contact.

Diversity
Smith + Andersen is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates of any age, culture, subculture, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nationality, race, ethnicity, family status, religion, mental or physical status, or veteran status.

Recruitment Agencies
Smith + Andersen welcomes interest from individual applicants. For resumes or applications submitted by agencies or recruiters with which Smith + Andersen does not have an agreement in place, Smith + Andersen will not pay any referral fee. Unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies or recruiters will be deemed to have been referred without fee or other charges.

Smith + Andersen is an equal opportunity employer.