Accountant - Public Practice

Senior Accountant / CPA – Public Practice Jansen DeWolde Chartered Professional Accountants is an established and growing accounting firm based in Chilliwack, British Columbia. We work closely with owner-managed businesses, families, and individuals throughout the Fraser Valley, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

We are looking for an experienced CPA to join our team in a senior accounting role. This position is well suited to someone who has strong public-practice experience, is comfortable exercising professional judgment, and enjoys working directly with clients and supporting other members of the accounting team.

The successful candidate will assist with reviewing work, answering client questions, preparing and overseeing year-end engagements, and providing practical accounting and tax advice. Over time, there will be opportunities for the successful candidate to assume additional client-management and leadership responsibilities as the firm continues to grow and plans for the gradual retirement of one of its partners.

The Role This is a hands-on public-practice position involving a combination of year-end preparation, review responsibilities, client communication, tax compliance, tax planning, and staff support.

We are looking for someone who can take ownership of client files, identify issues requiring professional judgment, work through practical solutions, and communicate clearly with both clients and other staff members.

Duties and Responsibilities

Prepare and review compilation engagements

Prepare corporate year-end working paper files, financial statements, and corporate income tax returns

Review personal income tax returns

Assist with more complex personal and corporate tax matters

Respond to accounting and tax questions from clients

Identify practical tax-planning opportunities for individuals and owner-managed businesses

Assist with tax-planning engagements, including business purchases and sales, corporate reorganizations, succession planning, estate planning, and buy-sell arrangements

Prepare and review GST returns, trust returns, and estate filings

Review work prepared by other staff members

Train, mentor, and provide technical support to other team members

Manage multiple client engagements and ensure deadlines are met

Communicate directly with clients regarding outstanding information, engagement results, tax matters, and planning opportunities

Develop and maintain trusted, long-term client relationships

Collaborate with the partners and other staff on complex client matters and special projects

Assist with improving the firm’s internal processes and workflow

Qualifications and Experience

Canadian CPA designation

At least three years of recent public-practice accounting experience

Five or more years of public-practice experience would be preferred

Strong experience preparing personal and corporate income tax returns

Experience preparing compilation engagements and corporate year-end files

Experience reviewing personal tax returns and work prepared by other staff

Review-engagement experience would be an asset

Experience with trusts, estates, tax planning, or corporate reorganizations would be an asset

Strong professional judgment and the ability to identify issues requiring further investigation

Ability to explain accounting and tax matters clearly and practically

Strong organizational and time-management skills

Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines

Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team

Experience supervising, reviewing, or mentoring staff would be an asset

A practical, solutions-oriented approach to client service

The Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is an experienced public-practice accountant who enjoys working directly with clients and wants to play a meaningful role within a smaller firm.

You are comfortable taking ownership of files, answering client questions, and making sound professional judgments. You are also willing to seek input when appropriate and enjoy helping other staff members develop their skills.

You may be looking for more direct client interaction, greater responsibility, and the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of an established practice.

Growth and Leadership Opportunities The immediate focus of this position is to provide experienced accounting, tax, review, and client-service support.

As the successful candidate develops within the firm, there may be opportunities to:

Assume responsibility for a larger group of client relationships

Take a more active role in reviewing and overseeing engagements

Mentor and support staff

Participate in workflow, staffing, and practice-management decisions

Contribute to the firm’s longer-term succession and leadership planning

The firm is interested in finding someone who has the ability and ambition to grow into a significant leadership role. The nature and timing of any future advancement would depend on the individual’s performance, professional development, client relationships, leadership ability, and fit with the firm.

Why Join Jansen DeWolde? We pride ourselves on providing high-quality, practical service to our clients while maintaining a positive, flexible, and supportive work environment.

We offer:

Competitive compensation based on experience

Extended health benefits

Professional development opportunities

Direct client interaction and meaningful responsibility

Opportunities to develop tax, advisory, review, and leadership skills

A collaborative and approachable team environment

Flexibility for the right candidate

Fridays off during July and August

The opportunity to grow with an established and expanding accounting practice

Position Details

Full-time position

Some flexibility may be available for the right candidate

Compensation will depend on experience, qualifications, and the level of responsibility assumed

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40.00-$60.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental care

Disability insurance

Extended health care

Life insurance

Paid time off

Flexible language requirement:

French not required

Education:

Bachelor's Degree (required)

Experience:

Accounting: 5 years (preferred)

Language:

English (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

Chartered Professional Accountant (required)

Work Location: In person

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