Manager, Accounting & Assurance

At SME, we believe the best client relationships are built by professionals who understand more than the numbers.

We are a growing accounting and advisory firm serving privately owned businesses, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals and not-for-profit organizations across a range of industries. Our size allows our people to work closely with clients, managers and partners, take meaningful ownership of engagements, and have a visible impact on both our clients and the firm.

We're looking for an experienced Manager, Accounting & Assurance to join our team.

This is an opportunity for someone who is ready to take ownership of a diverse client portfolio, lead engagements from planning through completion, develop and mentor team members and become a trusted advisor to clients.

At SME, our Managers are an important connection point between our clients, our teams and our Partners. You'll be expected to understand your clients' businesses, anticipate issues, manage engagements effectively and help identify opportunities where SME can provide additional value.

• Plan, manage and oversee audit, review and compilation engagements across a diverse portfolio of clients.
• Establish the overall accounting, assurance and tax approach to engagements in consultation with the Partner.
• Develop engagement plans, objectives, timelines and appropriate audit or review strategies.
• Understand each client's business, industry, operations and key financial reporting risks.
• Identify significant accounting, assurance and tax matters early in the engagement and develop practical solutions.
• Review working paper files, financial statements, notes, corporate income tax returns and other client deliverables.
• Ensure engagements are completed in accordance with applicable professional standards, firm policies and quality requirements.
• Take ownership of engagement completion and ensure outstanding matters are resolved efficiently.
• Monitor engagement progress, deadlines, budgets and realization throughout the engagement.
• Analyze engagement economics and identify and explain significant variances from plan.
• Work closely with Partners regarding engagement risks, technical matters, client issues, staffing requirements, timing and budget.

• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for a portfolio of clients.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with business owners, controllers, finance teams and other key stakeholders.
• Lead client meetings and discussions independently, involving a Partner where appropriate.
• Provide clients with clear, practical advice on accounting, financial reporting, assurance and business matters.
• Identify trends, risks, opportunities and unusual items through analysis of financial and operational information.
• Help clients understand their financial results and identify opportunities to improve reporting, processes and decision-making.
• Respond proactively to client questions and help ensure deliverables, filings and deadlines are managed effectively.
• Identify opportunities where additional accounting, tax, advisory or other SME services may benefit the client.

• Lead, coach and mentor Senior Accountants, Staff Accountants and other members of the engagement team.
• Review team members' work and provide timely, practical and constructive feedback.
• Delegate work effectively based on engagement requirements, individual capabilities and development opportunities.
• Monitor engagement workflow and adjust staffing or responsibilities when necessary.
• Help team members strengthen their technical knowledge, professional judgment, client-management skills and overall confidence.
• Participate in performance management and professional development discussions.
• Foster a collaborative environment where team members are comfortable asking questions, taking ownership and continuing to learn.

• Research accounting, assurance and tax matters and clearly document conclusions and recommendations.
• Apply Canadian accounting and assurance standards to client engagements.
• Perform financial, operational and system analysis where required.
• Review complex accounting transactions and identify appropriate accounting treatment.
• Use financial data and analytics to identify trends, relationships, anomalies and areas requiring further investigation.
• Work with large financial datasets and use technology to improve engagement efficiency and analysis.
• Identify opportunities to improve internal…