Senior Manager, Internal Controls Program & Projects

The Senior Manager, Internal Control Program and Projects is responsible for the leadership of the financial control program for the organization. Including preparation of materials to senior executives and the Audit and Actuarial Committee of the Board of Directors. You will help maintain a robust control environment supporting financial reporting across the organization as well as conduct research and analysis of accounting policies and procedures. You will also be involved in efficiency and effectiveness projects and initiatives related to financial reporting, internal controls, financial data integrity and finance systems/tools.

You will build strong relationships with internal business partners and senior leadership, demonstrate effective partnership and collaboration throughout the organization.

Internal controls and risk management

• Responsible for design, implementation, and monitoring operating effectiveness of internal controls related to internal controls over financial reporting

• Responsible for managing the process of internal controls certification in support of CEO/CFO certification and continuously improve the program

• Responsible for development and assessment of financial and non-financial controls which support key disclosures made by the organization including the Annual Report and other publicly available information

• Organization and preparation of materials for the executive team and Disclosure Committee meetings, and Board of Directors, Audit and Actuarial Committee

• Effectively understand and manage the operational, compliance and reporting risks

• Be a thought leader on best practices regarding design, monitoring, and documentation of processes, risks and internal controls

• Coordinate with internal and external auditors and prepare management’s responses and actioning recommendations provided by internal and external auditors

• Develop and monitor procedures and internal controls over financial data integrity, accuracy, and completeness of reporting;

• Review and document data sources embedded in key financial reports. Research, propose and test changes to financial reporting sources as required to improve efficiency and/or reduce risk.

• Oversee the pre-approval of audit related and non audit services fees performed by our auditor and report on compliance with the Auditor Independence Policy

• Oversee the gathering and reporting of management’s assessment of fraud risk and Entity Level Controls

• Oversee the coordination of Service Organization Control reports from relevant service organizations and documentation of relevant control conclusions pertaining to financial reporting

Financial reporting and analysis

• Responsible for supporting the review and analysis of mid-year and year-end financial statements and note disclosures, ensuring adherence to applicable accounting standards and guidelines

• Responsible for research and implementation of applicable accounting policies and guidelines, prepare accounting position memos summarizing accounting treatment options and recommendations

• Work with external parties (including external auditors) to prepare annual financial statements for subsidiaries; ensure timely communication with the subsidiaries on financial reporting and technical accounting matters

• Consolidate peer financial information and external benchmarking and prepare management presentations, analysis, and insights

• Responsible for preparation of Audit & Actuarial Committee presentations

Special Projects

• Initiate, lead and manage process improvements initiatives to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of processes, internal controls, finance systems tools and reporting

• Drive the project management of mid and year end reporting activities from all parts of the finance division

• Support the execution of special projects by researching requirements, analyzing alternative solutions, assessing impacts to risks and processes, to provide a recommended course of action

Leadership Accountability

• You will be responsible for creating, managing, and monitoring financial reporting and internal controls workplans, organize accountabilities, deliverables, ensure adherence to deadlines and timely outcomes.

• This position carries responsibility for helping manage the activities of external advisors and auditors whose activities are highly visible and impactful to the organization.

• Must demonstrate management leadership skills to direct and/or influence the efforts of others, as required.

• Develop and mentor staff, help identify training and on the job opportunities (including cross team opportunities) to enhance ongoing professional development of staff

• Stay current on the strategic direction of Teachers’ and the Finance Division to determine how best to support those strategies

• Stay current on accounting, auditing, internal controls standards, frameworks, and industry developments

• Effective communication across teams (e.g., able to translate objectives into team’s activities), deploy change management best practices, when required

• Professional accounting designation (CPA) or equivalent

• University degree with focus on business, accounting, finance

• Comprehensive understanding of accounting standards (e.g., IFRS, Canadian GAAP, Pension Plans GAAP) and internal controls (e.g., COSO, Sarbanes-Oxley, NI 52-109)

• Experience with asset management and/or financial service industry an asset

• Proficient knowledge of accounting concepts relevant to investment industry

• A high level of tech-savviness, influencing the adoption and development of new tools and technology for reporting (e.g., Infor FSM, Workiva, Power BI,), automation , data integration (e.g., Snowflake)

• Knowledge and advanced skills in PowerPoint, strong proficiency in Microsoft excel and word

• Aptitude for finance technology, financial data management, process improvements, special projects and change management

• Ability to work with internal stakeholders and balance governance and service role

• Minimum 8-12 years of related work experience in public accounting firm or within financial service industry

• Excellent communication skills are required as this position deals with both internal and external contacts

• Experience developing senior executive level communication and presentations

• Successful track record delivering on process improvements projects

• Proven ability to balance competing priorities, work independently, manage projects and competing deadlines, and thrive in a high-performance team environment

• Professional and proactive work ethic, excellent interpersonal, and negotiation skills

• Project Management experience, an asset

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What we’re offering

• Pay-for-performance environment that offers competitive salary and incentive

• Numerous opportunities for professional growth and development

• Comprehensive employer paid benefits coverage

• Retirement income through a defined benefit pension plan

• The opportunity to invest back into the fund through our Deferred Incentive Program

• A flexible/hybrid work environment combining in office collaboration and remote working

• Competitive time off

• Our Flexible Travel Program gives you the option to work abroad in another region/country for up to a month each year

• Employee discount programs including Edvantage and Perkopolis

At Ontario Teachers', diversity is one of our core strengths. We take pride in ensuring that the people we hire and the culture we create, reflect and embrace diversity of thought, background and experience. Through our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy and our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), we celebrate diversity and foster inclusion through events for colleagues to connect for professional development, networking & mentoring. We are building an inclusive and equitable workplace where our talent is respected, accepted and empowered to be themselves. To learn more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, check out Life at Teachers'.

How to apply

Are you ready to pursue new challenges and take your career to the next level? Apply today! You may be invited to complete a pre-recorded digital interview as part of your application.

Accommodations are available upon request (peopleandculture@otpp.com) for candidates with a disability taking part in the recruitment process and once hired.

Candidates must be legally entitled to work in the country where this role is located.

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