Accounting Manager

Take the next step in your career as an Accounting Manager with a respected downtown Hamilton firm known for its collaborative culture and strong community reputation. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll mentor a small team, work closely with Partners, and enjoy competitive compensation, generous vacation, and great work-life perks.

About the Client
A prominent downtown Hamilton professional services firm (legal) with a busy, collaborative environment and strong community reputation. The finance function is lean and hands-on, partnering closely with Partners and practice groups.

About the Role
Reporting to the Treasurer (Partner) and the Finance Committee, the Accounting Manager will lead a small team while owning higher-level financial operations: monthly reporting, audit, budgeting, payroll oversight, treasury/wires, and board-level presentations (with support from the Treasurer). You’ll review day-to-day transactional work, elevate controls, and coach the team-driving process improvements and accountability in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop an accounting/collections team; set priorities, review work, and elevate processes/controls.
• Own month-end and year-end close (journals, reconciliations, accruals/prepaids, HST), and prepare monthly financial statements; partner with the Treasurer on reviews and board reporting.
• Manage cash/treasury activities including wire approvals; maintain daily cash statements and bank rec details ahead of month-end.
• Coordinate the annual audit; compile schedules, support internal audits, and provide information to external auditors.
• Oversee payroll & remittances (inputs provided by HR/Operations), statutory filings, and tax remittances.
• Drive budget preparation/analysis, monitor performance vs. plan, and produce ad-hoc reporting for Partners/Finance Committee.
• Maintain and update accounting policies/procedures; educate users on systems and best practices; steward data integrity and compliance.

Requirements

• 3-5+ years in an Accounting Manager (or similar leadership) role; prior experience in legal/professional services is a strong asset.
• Proven team leadership: coaching, workload planning, reviews, and raising the bar on controls/process.
• Comfortable owning higher-level finance (reporting, audit, budgeting, payroll oversight, treasury/wires) while reviewing transactional work.
• Systems: Soluno (nice-to-have) and/or similar practice-management ERPs; FileLine exposure helpful. Advanced Excel (lookups, SUMIFS, pivots); ability to learn quickly and drive change.
• Education in accounting (Diploma/BA). CPA not required (considered an asset; experience trumps).

Compensation

• Base Salary: $80,000-$100,000 (depending on experience).
• Bonus: Discretionary (project-based + year-end/holiday).
• Benefits: Extended health; RRSP matching up to $1,500/year.
• Vacation: 3-4 weeks (negotiable; program max up to 5 weeks over tenure).
• Sick Leave: 10 days (with carryover depending on usage).
• Parking/Transit: Paid secure parking available; excellent transit access (GO nearby).