Senior Accountant in Toronto, Ontario at Canadian National Institute for the Blind

Position Title: Senior Accountant

Location: Toronto, ON

Reports To: Senior Manager, Accounting

I. Scope and Summary of Primary Responsibilities

The Senior Accountant provides advanced technical accounting, reporting, and analytical support for the organization’s not-for-profit entities. The role owns key accounting processes, including month-end and year-end close, balance sheet reconciliations, deferred funds, intercompany accounting, revenue recognition, cost allocations, funder reporting, and audit preparation.

As part of the Business Support Services (BSS) team, this position supports financial integrity, audit readiness, internal controls, and reporting accuracy across multiple entities. The role provides technical accounting guidance, reviews complex accounting matters, and leads improvements to accounting processes, documentation, and reporting practices.

The position entails, but is not limited to the following general responsibilities:

• Owns assigned accounting processes across multiple entities, including close activities, reconciliations, deferred funds, intercompany accounting, revenue recognition, cost allocations, and audit support.
• Leads key components of the month-end and year-end close processes, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, variance review, and reporting support.
• Reviews balance sheet reconciliations, accounting schedules, working papers, and supporting documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with accounting standards.
• Manages deferred funds, restricted fund accounting, intercompany accounting, revenue recognition, and related not-for-profit accounting treatment.
• Prepares audit schedules and responds to auditor inquiries for assigned areas with minimal supervision.
• Reconciles donor and gift information between Salesforce and NetSuite in partnership with Philanthropy.
• Leads cross-functional coordination with Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, procurement, banking, and transaction processing teams to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant recording of financial activity within the general ledger.
• Provides technical accounting guidance to team members and stakeholders on reconciliations, coding, funding allocations, documentation, and finance processes.
• Identifies recurring accounting issues, control gaps, and process inefficiencies, and recommends corrective actions.
• Leads process improvements related to accounting accuracy, internal controls, audit readiness, documentation, and standard operating procedures.
• Participates in system enhancements, process reviews, and cross-functional initiatives impacting accounting and reporting.

III. Qualifications

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of Canadian accounting standards, financial reporting principles, and accounting practices for not-for-profit and charitable organizations.
• Strong experience with month-end and year-end close, journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, intercompany accounting, deferred revenue/funds, revenue recognition, fund accounting, and audit support.
• Strong understanding of internal controls, audit readiness, account reconciliation standards, financial documentation, and process improvement.
• Ability to assess complex accounting matters, identify risks or control gaps, and recommend practical solutions.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, complex formulas, reconciliations, and financial analysis.
• Experience using NetSuite or a similar accounting system; Salesforce, SAP Concur, or related systems experience is an asset.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Experience and Education

• 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in a not-for-profit, charity, multi-entity, or fund accounting environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Experience providing technical guidance, reviewing accounting work, or supporting process improvements is an asset.
• CPA designation or active pursuit is strongly preferred.

Work Environment

• Works in a deadline driven finance environment with peak periods during month-end close, year-end close, audit preparation, and funder reporting cycles.
• Requires a high degree of accuracy, confidentiality, judgment, and attention to detail.
• Willingness to work flexible hours during peak reporting periods.
• Travel may be required.

CNIB is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process.