Senior Director, Accounting Policy & Auditor Independence

What is the opportunity?

For forward-thinking and results-focused leaders, this is an opportunity to lead the Accounting Policy & Auditor Independence team at Canada's largest company, frequently ranked as one of the top companies to work for in Canada. RBC is internationally recognized for its commitment to innovation, diversity, customer satisfaction and corporate social responsibility. We care about each other, reaching our potential, making a difference to our communities, and achieving success that is mutual.

As the Senior Director, Accounting Policy & Auditor Independence, you will be a strategic leader in enterprise finance providing valued accounting advice and insights that balance enabling our businesses with a strong governance mindset. You will lead your team in overseeing our quarterly financial statement disclosures and navigating complex accounting matters, responding to new and emerging developments, providing robust governance over auditor independence matters, and shaping accounting and disclosure requirements through advocacy efforts. You will also showcase your exceptional communication skills by leading the delivery of materials for the Audit Committee. You will also work in a dynamic environment that provides the opportunity to bring your unique perspective and approach to the role, including evolving the role to address current priorities.

As part of the Chief Accountant's Group in our Toronto head office, you will be part of a collaborative team culture that strives to challenge ourselves to be our best, think progressively to keep growing, and work together to deliver collective results.

*Please note this role is a contract position*

What will you do?

• Lead a team of professionals to provide valued accounting advice on complex accounting matters to internal stakeholders across RBC
• Review complex accounting transactions and policy assessments for complex accounting matters
• Support our quarterly external reporting process by overseeing the delivery of critical elements of our reporting, including the financial statements, collaborating closely with other areas of the Chief Accountant's Group to enable a one-team approach to these deliverables
• Lead a team to deliver Audit Committee materials for senior finance executives that tell the RBC story with a commercial/business lens, focusing on key judgment areas and highlighting the role of finance
• Be a change agent for key processes by bringing your unique perspective to set ambitious goals, implement process improvements and challenge the status quo while fostering strong partnerships
• Drive continued transformation of the Auditor Independence function to streamline activities while mitigating risk, including re-imagining how the Auditor Independence office engages and partners with key stakeholders
• Where required, lead the organization in assessing, evaluating and responding to new accounting requirements impacting RBC, ensuring the impact of new and amended accounting standards is well understood by stakeholders across the bank, fully communicated to affected business units and senior finance executives, and well documented to support our accounting conclusion/position in line with control and governance requirements
• Shape future accounting and disclosure requirements by leading advocacy efforts on accounting related issues, including providing comments on new Discussion Papers or Exposure Drafts issued by accounting and regulatory bodies
• Build and develop strong relationships with stakeholders across the organization
• Communicate key accounting and disclosure matters to senior leaders at RBC using a commercial/business lens
• Liaise with industry peers on accounting matters as needed through industry associations (i.e. Canadian Bankers Association)
• Liaise with RBC's external and internal auditors and other industry stakeholders on financial accounting and reporting issues, as needed

What do you need to succeed?

Must-have

• Chartered Professional Accountant designation
• 10+ years of relevant work experience
• In-depth knowledge of IFRS and U.S. GAAP (working knowledge of current U.S. GAAP is desired)
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate effectively to executives
• Strong leadership and people management skills with ability to empower the team
• Strong organizational, analytical and problem solving skills
• Proactive and forward-thinking approach
• Excellent interpersonal skills - specifically, able to act as change agent, facilitator and collaborator
• Excellent presentation skills
• Agile mindset

Nice-to-have

• Solid understanding of financial institutions, including all facets of RBC's business and other activities with strong business acumen

Job Skills

Additional Job Details