Senior Staff Accountant

Senior Staff Accountant

Ish Jindal CPA Professional Corporation

Location: Markham, Ontario

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Work Arrangement: On-Site – 5 Days per Week

Salary: $60,000–$70,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications

About Us

Ish Jindal CPA Professional Corporation is an accounting and tax firm serving clients across the Greater Toronto Area, with more than 20 years of combined experience in accounting, taxation, advisory, and estate planning.

Our diverse client base includes owner-managed businesses, professional corporations, law firms, dental and healthcare professionals, online and e-commerce businesses, construction companies and general contractors, manufacturing and machine shops, retail and wholesale businesses, trucking, IT, property management and real estate, hospitality, and other small and medium-sized businesses.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Staff Accountant who can independently manage client files, meet compliance deadlines, communicate directly with clients, handle CRA matters, review junior staff work, and contribute to a professional and collaborative team environment.

Key ResponsibilitiesAccounting & Financial Reporting

• Perform and review bookkeeping for corporate and small business clients.
• Maintain and review general ledgers and ensure transactions are properly classified.
• Perform bank, credit card, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, GST/HST, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Identify and resolve accounting discrepancies and unusual transactions.
• Prepare adjusting entries, year-end working papers, financial statements, and compilation engagements.
• Maintain accurate and organized client working paper files.
• Analyze financial information and identify accounting, tax, and reporting issues.

Taxation & Compliance

• Prepare T2 Corporate Income Tax Returns, T1 Personal Income Tax Returns, and T3 Trust Returns.
• Prepare and review GST/HST returns and related reconciliations.
• Assist with payroll calculations and reconciliations, T4/T5 reporting, and other compliance filings.
• Review Notices of Assessment/Reassessment and identify required follow-up.
• Assist with tax planning for corporations, owner-managers, professionals, and individuals.
• Identify potential tax-planning opportunities and bring significant matters to the partner's attention.
• Maintain current knowledge of Canadian income tax, GST/HST, accounting, and CRA compliance requirements.

CRA Reviews, Audits & Correspondence

• Handle CRA correspondence and follow up on client matters.
• Prepare responses to CRA Requests for Information (RFIs), reviews, verification requests, and audits.
• Review and respond to Notices of Assessment and Reassessment.
• Prepare supporting documentation, reconciliations, explanations, and schedules requested by the CRA.
• Communicate professionally with CRA representatives and clients to resolve outstanding matters.
• Maintain appropriate records of CRA communications and follow-ups.

Client & Deadline Management

• Take ownership of assigned client files and proactively manage corporate year-ends and tax/compliance deadlines.
• Request accounting records, tax information, and supporting documents from clients well in advance of filing deadlines and follow up on outstanding information.
• Maintain and regularly update the firm's client and deadline databases.
• Track filing status and ensure completed filings are accurately recorded.
• Add new clients to the database and maintain key information, including Business Number (BN), corporate year-end, GST/HST filing frequency, and applicable filing deadlines.
• Manage multiple client files and competing deadlines simultaneously.
• Escalate potential delays, unusual transactions, missing information, and significant issues before they result in missed deadlines.

Client Service & Team Development

• Act as the primary day-to-day contact for assigned clients.
• Communicate directly with clients regarding accounting, tax, payroll, GST/HST, filing, and CRA matters.
• Explain accounting and tax matters clearly and professionally.
• Maintain timely client communication while providing a high standard of service and confidentiality.
• Escalate fee-related matters and client complaints to the partner.
• Review bookkeeping, reconciliations, working papers, and schedules prepared by junior accountants and bookkeepers.
• Provide review notes, training, guidance, and constructive feedback to junior staff.
• Assist with improving internal processes, checklists, workflows, and file-management practices.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must have:

• Minimum 3 years of recent Canadian public accounting experience.
• Strong experience managing multiple corporate and individual client files in a Canadian public accounting firm.
• Practical experience with bookkeeping, general ledgers, account reconciliations, year-end working papers, financial statements, and compilation engagements.
• Practical experience preparing T1 and T2 tax returns and familiarity with T3 returns.
• Experience with GST/HST compliance and filings.
• Experience handling CRA correspondence, information requests, reviews, and related compliance matters.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian accounting and taxation requirements applicable to owner-managed and small to medium-sized businesses.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to independently manage multiple files and deadlines in a busy public practice environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication and client-service skills.
• Ability to review and mentor junior staff.
• High standards of integrity, confidentiality, professionalism, and accountability.
• Legal authorization to work in Canada.

Required Software Experience

Practical working knowledge and experience with all of the following is mandatory:

• QuickBooks Desktop
• QuickBooks Online
• CaseWare
• Tax Prep
• Tax Cycle
• Microsoft Excel

Candidates should be able to use these applications efficiently in a Canadian public accounting environment with minimal software training.

CPA Requirements

A Canadian CPA designation is preferred.

Candidates who have not yet obtained their CPA designation must have substantially completed the CPA PEP modules and be actively progressing toward completion of the CPA designation.

What We Offer

• Annual salary of $60,000–$70,000, based on experience and qualifications.
• Health benefits after successful completion of six months of service.
• Two weeks of annual vacation upon completion of one year of service.
• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of businesses, professional corporations, and individual clients.
• Hands-on experience across accounting, financial reporting, corporate and personal taxation, GST/HST, CRA matters, tax planning, and advisory services.
• Opportunity to work directly with experienced CPAs and interact directly with clients.
• Opportunities to develop leadership, review, and staff-mentoring skills.
• Professional development and continuous learning opportunities.
• Opportunities for increased responsibility and career advancement as the firm grows.
• A professional, collaborative, and client-focused working environment.

Work Schedule & Location

This is a full-time, on-site position at our Markham, Ontario office, five days per week. This is not a remote position.

Candidates must be comfortable working in a deadline-driven public accounting environment. Additional hours may be required during peak periods, particularly during personal tax season and other major filing deadlines.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• An up-to-date resume
• A cover letter outlining relevant Canadian public accounting experience
• Salary expectations
• Availability and earliest possible start date

In your cover letter, please briefly describe your experience with Canadian public accounting, T1/T2 tax preparation, year-end files, CRA matters, and the accounting and tax software listed above.

Please note: A minimum of 3 years of Canadian public accounting experience is mandatory. Candidates must also be legally authorized to work in Canada.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.

• Ish Jindal CPA Professional Corporation is committed to maintaining a professional, respectful, and inclusive workplace.