Accounting Supervisor

hybrid
38 East Main Street, Welland, Ontario, Canada, L3B 3W3
full-time . May 20, 2025

Description

Billyard Insurance Group (BIG) is a leader in the insurance industry, dedicated to building a culture that reflects our core values. At BIG, we Think BIG by exceeding expectations and creating lasting value for our clients, industry, and communities. We Act with Integrity by upholding honesty, transparency, and respect in everything we do. Our clients are at the center of our decisions as we embrace a Client First, Always mindset. We believe in the power of teamwork to Achieve More Together, combining strengths to deliver meaningful solutions. Finally, we Innovate with Purpose by leading the digital insurance revolution, consistently driving quality, enhancing client service, and empowering brokers.

With over 80 locations across Canada and recognition as one of Canada’s Top Growing Companies, BIG is shaping the future of insurance. Join us as we continue to redefine the industry with innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

The Accounting Supervisor is responsible for overseeing SG&A financial reporting processes, managing the accounts payable function, and providing leadership to the accounting team. This role plays a key part in ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant financial reporting, while also driving continuous improvement initiatives across finance operations. The successful candidate will collaborate cross-functionally with department leaders, offering financial insights and guidance to support strategic planning and decision-making. In addition to managing day-to-day accounting activities, the Supervisor will mentor junior staff, uphold internal controls, and contribute to the ongoing development of efficient financial systems and workflows. This is a hands-on leadership role that requires strong analytical skills, a proactive mindset, and a commitment to operational excellence.

What does the Accounting Supervisor do?

Budgeting & Financial Planning: Lead the development and maintenance of departmental budgets by collaborating with department leaders and maintaining reporting frameworks for leadership and executive use.
Monthly Financial Reporting & Variance Analysis: Oversee the preparation and first-level review of financial statements, journal entries, SG&A reconciliations, and working papers; perform monthly variance analysis to identify root causes of discrepancies and inform department leaders.
Accounts Payable & Internal Invoicing: Supervise the accounts payable process, ensure timely vendor payments, and manage the internal SG&A invoice process to reduce errors, confirm alignment with matching principles and support cash flow.
Oversight of Holding Companies & Charity Financials: Lead accounting functions for holding companies and the BIG Hearts Canada Foundation, including transaction posting, reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
Full-Cycle Accounting & Internal Controls: Ensure accurate transaction processing, ledger balancing, and compliance with internal controls, accounting standards and legal requirements; continually assess and improve procedures.
Client & Vendor Issue Resolution: Manage inquiries related to invoices and payments from internal departments and external vendors, ensuring timely and professional resolution.
Accounting Communication Management: Oversee multiple accounting inboxes to ensure efficient and accurate communication and issue routing.
Team Leadership & Mentorship: Allocate daily SG&A tasks, guide junior staff development, manage escalations, and ensure deadlines are met through workflow oversight.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the finance and accounting teams and other departments to ensure cohesive operations and aligned financial support.
Financial Advisory Support: Provide insights and guidance to the Controller, VP of Finance, and department leaders on financial matters as needed.
AP Module Enhancement: Lead the development and enhancement of a sustainable AP module that creates time savings efficiencies, which includes improved expense transparency, vendor and invoice management, management approval processes, and real time reporting for review by management.
Quarterly & Board Reporting: Lead the consolidation and submission of quarterly reporting packages for Board and Covenant reporting, including financial statements and cash flow summaries.
Audit Preparation & Support: Act as the senior audit lead for SG&A-related tasks (excluding payroll), manage audit adjustments, and liaise with external auditors during the annual audit process.
Contingent Profit Reconciliation: Oversee annual reconciliation and disbursement of Contingent Profit Commissions and support related monthly accruals.
Process & Workflow Enhancements: Lead continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and visibility across accounting functions.
Trend Identification: Identify financial trends to improve the measurement and reporting of KPIs and/or provide actionable recommendations for operational improvements, aligning with the organization's goal of achieving sustainable growth.
Adhoc Tasks & Projects: Prepare reporting on non-routine tasks & special projects and present to management, as necessary.

Does this sound like you?

Financial Expertise (Proficient): Strong grasp of general ledger management, financial reporting, variance analysis, audit preparation, and internal controls, ensuring accurate financial records and the integrity of financial statements.
Accounts Payable & Receivable Systems (Proficient): Knowledge & understanding of accounts payable and receivable systems, ensuring accurate processing of transactions and reports.
Microsoft Excel (Proficient): Proficiency in Excel, including advanced functions such as XLOOKUP, pivot tables, and financial modeling, to support reporting and data analysis.
Accounting & Software Proficiency (Competent): Ability to navigate and perform detailed accounting tasks within Accounting and Broker Management systems, including generating reports, processing transactions, and reconciling accounts
Big Support (Competent): Ability to use the internal ticketing system (Big Support) for issue tracking and resolution, ensuring smooth communication between departments.
Audit Preparation (Competent): Understanding of audit processes and familiarity with preparing the necessary documents and working papers required during audits.
Financial Reporting and Analysis (Competent): Knowledge in internal financial reporting and analysis of trends, with an ability to prepare and present clear, actionable financial statements and recommendations.
Internal Controls (Proficient): Strong understanding of internal control frameworks and the ability to design, implement, and monitor controls to ensure accuracy in financial reporting, prevent errors or fraud, and maintain compliance with regulatory standards
Leadership (Proficient): Able to guide a team and manage performance effectively.
Attention to Detail (Proficient): High attention to detail to ensure accuracy in financial reporting, invoice management, and data entry.
Collaboration & Teamwork (Proficient): Works effectively across teams, values diverse input, and contributes to a positive, cooperative dynamic within the Finance and Accounting department to achieve shared goals.
Problem-Solving (Proficient): Analytical mindset to identify discrepancies and issues, offering solutions that resolve challenges efficiently.
Time Management (Proficient): Efficiently manage multiple tasks and deadlines, ensuring timely completion of financial reports, invoicing, and other critical responsibilities.
Conflict Resolution (Competent): Ability to resolve conflicts and address challenges within cross-functional teams.
Communication & Relationship Management (Proficient): Communicates effectively across all levels; maintains professional client and vendor relations
Client-Focused (Proficient): Builds strong internal and external relationships by responding professionally to inquiries and resolving issues with accuracy and care.
Adaptability (Competent): Ability to adapt to changes in processes or technology and work effectively under shifting priorities or deadlines.
Ethical Leadership (Expert): Upholds and promotes integrity in financial practices and decision-making.
Initiative & Innovation (Proficient): Demonstrates a proactive mindset by identifying opportunities to improve processes, streamline workflows, and implement creative solutions that enhance team efficiency and financial reporting accuracy.
Coaching & Development (Proficient): Provides constructive feedback and mentorship to junior team members, supporting their growth through training, knowledge sharing, and by fostering a culture of continuous learning within the department.

Qualifications

Completion of a post-secondary education diploma or equivalent in Accounting, Finance or related field
Minimum of 5-7 years of proven experience in finance and/or accounting.
A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation or working towards completion
Strong computer skills, adaptable to multiple software platforms. Practical experience with accounting software (Quickbooks, ERM software) & spreadsheets (MS Excel).
Previous Insurance Industry work experience.
Previous management or supervisory experience

What We Offer

People-focused company culture
Comprehensive benefits including medical, vision, dental, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
3 weeks’ of paid vacation in the first year of employment; 4 weeks’ in year 2
Birthday day off
Hybrid work from home / in-office environment
Retirement savings programs, with company-matched RRSP contributions

Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging:

Billyard Insurance Group is committed to building a transparent environment where everyone feels heard, welcomed, and included. We believe Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging are fundamental in our vision to be the leading insurance platform in Canada. BIG is a proud, equal-opportunity workplace that is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.

Our Commitment to Accessibility:

Billyard Insurance Group is committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. Should you require any accommodation, please inform us, and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs. For any accessibility-related assistance, requests for information in accessible alternative formats, or to report any accessibility problems, please contact us at recruitment@thebig.ca or 905.346.2190 ext. 10211.

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