Director, Financial Reporting & Accounting

Our client is seeking a Director of Financial Reporting and Accounting to oversee financial control, reporting, and analytical activities for its Canadian market operations. This pivotal role offers you the opportunity to shape the financial landscape by ensuring robust compliance with Group policy and IFRS standards. You will be at the heart of strategic decision-making, providing expert technical accounting guidance and delivering high-quality financial reports to key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

As Director of Financial Reporting and Accounting, you will play a central role in shaping the financial integrity of the Canadian market operations. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve overseeing all aspects of financial reporting cycles—ensuring accuracy under tight deadlines—while offering technical accounting advice on complex issues such as revenue recognition and transfer pricing. You will lead both direct reports and offshore teams, focusing on performance management and fostering a culture of collaboration. By championing process improvements through ERP optimisation and enforcing rigorous internal controls, you will help safeguard compliance with group policies and IFRS standards. Your expertise will also be called upon during audits where you’ll act as the main liaison for both internal stakeholders and external auditors. In addition to managing regular reporting duties, you’ll collaborate across multiple departments to streamline service delivery while representing your region in global forums. Your ability to juggle multiple priorities seamlessly will ensure that projects are delivered successfully while maintaining operational excellence throughout.

• Oversee the timely delivery of accurate Canadian market financial results during month-end, quarter-end, and year-end cycles, ensuring all submissions meet strict deadlines.
• Provide expert guidance on complex accounting treatments related to revenue recognition, transfer pricing, and media accounts in accordance with IFRS standards.
• Manage both onshore managers and offshore finance teams to ensure efficient task execution while regularly assessing performance and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Drive ongoing improvements and standardisation in financial reporting processes by optimising ERP system capabilities for greater efficiency and accuracy.
• Lead the enforcement of internal control frameworks with particular focus on financial reporting controls to maintain compliance across all activities.
• Act as the primary point of contact for internal and external audit inquiries, including media audit matters, ensuring all requests are handled professionally and promptly.
• Continuously review balance sheet positions to optimise outcomes and reduce aged accruals through proactive risk management strategies.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues across Finance, HR, IT, Legal, and other functional areas to deliver seamless internal service solutions.
• Represent the Canadian market within regional and global controllership networks by participating in process improvement discussions and sharing best practices.
• Support Canada-wide project implementations as required by providing financial expertise and contributing to successful project outcomes.
  
  

Key Requirements

To excel as Director of Financial Reporting and Accounting, you will bring extensive experience from senior finance or accounting roles—ideally within large organisations or consultancies—where you have demonstrated your ability to navigate complex regulatory environments. Your CPA qualification underpins your technical expertise while your deep knowledge of IFRS ensures that all reporting meets international standards. You are adept at leveraging advanced software tools such as Microsoft Office Suite alongside ERP platforms like D365 or Workday to drive efficiencies in reporting processes. Experience managing cross-functional teams—both locally and remotely—will enable you to foster interdepartmental cooperation while maintaining high standards of performance. Your excellent interpersonal skills mean you can build strong relationships internally across Finance, HR, IT, Legal functions as well as externally during audits or stakeholder meetings. Adaptability is second nature; you thrive when faced with evolving challenges that require innovative solutions without losing sight of compliance or quality.

• University degree in business administration, finance or accounting demonstrating strong academic grounding in core principles relevant to this position.
• CPA certification is essential for ensuring adherence to professional standards within all accounting activities undertaken.
• Seven to ten years’ experience in progressively responsible roles within finance or accounting functions; prior exposure to the media sector is highly valued but not mandatory.
• Experience gained at a Big 4 accounting firm would be considered an asset due to familiarity with best-in-class practices.
• Comprehensive understanding of accepted accounting practices driven by IFRS requirements ensures effective compliance management.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications enables efficient data analysis and report preparation for diverse audiences.
• Previous hands-on experience using D365 (Dynamics), Concur expense management software, or Workday HRIS is preferred; familiarity with MediaOcean systems would be advantageous but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage geographically dispersed teams across different time zones within matrixed organisational structures fosters effective collaboration.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills allow you to convey complex information clearly when preparing reports or engaging stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven track record of thriving in environments characterised by constant change where adaptability is key.
  
  

What Sets This Company Apart

This organisation stands out for its commitment to employee wellbeing through an array of thoughtfully designed benefits that go beyond industry norms. Employees enjoy not only comprehensive health coverage but also paid union dues for professional certifications such as CPA—demonstrating real investment in your continued development. The company recognises the importance of work-life balance by offering four weeks’ vacation plus additional wellness days, birthday leave, optional holidays tailored around long weekends (dentsu days), and even dedicated volunteer days so you can give back to causes close to your heart. The workplace culture encourages growth through exposure to senior leaders across multiple business pillars while providing clear frameworks for career advancement. As part of an organisation undergoing significant transformation at both local and global levels, you’ll find ample opportunities for learning new skills while contributing meaningfully within a supportive network that values inclusivity, flexibility, collaboration—and above all—a shared sense of purpose.

What's Next

If you are ready to take your career in finance leadership to new heights within a supportive global environment that values your expertise—this is your moment!