Description
The opportunity
The Canadian Product Tax team tax provides tax advisory and compliance support for Canadian businesses and companies within Manulife.
Reporting to the AVP, Canadian Tax, the Director Product tax will provide tax advisory services related to Manulife products and customers and will be responsible for the oversight of tax compliance related to customer taxation.
The position will provide opportunities to gain knowledge of a wide range of financial products, impact customer and advisor relationships, represent Manulife on industry committees and to influence tax legislation.
The Director is a tax professional with excellent tax research and analysis skills, outstanding oral and written communication skills, and the ability to communicate complex tax issues and key concepts in a manner appropriate for a diverse audience.
A key aspect of the role is managing tax and reputational risk. The incumbent is highly engaged in team development and leadership, and champions efficient and effective use of resources.
Key Accountabilities :
- Advise on a wide variety of tax issues relating to Canadian product and customer income taxation matters and FATCA / CRS topics including the following activities : Advise business units on tax compliance requirements relating to customer tax including product tax administration, tax withholding and tax reporting,Respond to tax questions from business units, government tax authorities and government auditors,Advise on escalated cases and issues and related communications, andParticipation in business projects to ensure tax compliance requirements are met and provide tax advice on product features, structure, contract language and tax risks.
- Prepare written technical tax analysis on product and customer tax issues and reporting supported by legislation and government administrative positions and guidance.
- Monitor and interpret tax legislation and government administrative positions, identify implications for Manulife products, clients, sales advisors and employees, and communicate changes impacting products and the related administration and tax compliance requirements.
- Build relationships with business units and functions to gain awareness of emerging customer and advisor tax issues, projects and product development and manage tax and reputational risks.
- Represent Manulife on industry tax committees and working groups such as the CLHIA Policyholder Tax Committee.
- Oversee timely and accurate preparation of certain tax filings related to customers and products during peak seasons (Jan-April).
- Oversee remittances of customer tax withholding including account reconciliation and working papers in support of remittances, filings, returns and amendments, and work with government tax authorities to resolve account issues.
- Monitor and support business unit tax filings during peak season as required.
- Act as liaison between government authorities and business units.
- Correspond with external advisors, and Federal and Provincial tax authorities and auditors as required.
- Ensure documentation of processes and records related to tax compliance activities are maintained
- Identify areas for process improvement and automation of tax compliance functions and other team activities.
What motivates you?
- You obsess about customers, listen, engage and act for their benefit.
- You think big, with curiosity to discover ways to use your agile approach and enable business outcomes.
- You thrive in teams and enjoy getting things done together.
- You take ownership and build solutions, focusing on what matters.
- You do what is right, work with integrity and speak up.
- You share your humanity, helping us build a diverse and inclusive work environment for everyone.
What we are looking for
- Accounting designation (CPA or equivalent).
- 7+ years of Canadian tax experience (preferably Personal and Trust tax)
- CPA In-Depth Tax Course.
- Strong accounting, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Outstanding written and oral communications skills
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
- Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with business lines and other legal and tax professionals.
- Knowledge of the financial services industry and products and FATCA / CRS is beneficial.
- Interest in new technology
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, SharePoint, Teams, PowerBI etc) and / or Alteryx is an asset
What can we offer you?
- A competitive salary and benefits packages.
- A growth trajectory that extends upward and outward, encouraging you to follow your passions and learn new skills.
- A focus on growing your career path with us.
- Flexible work policies and strong work-life balance.
- Professional development and leadership opportunities.
Our commitment to you
Values-first culture
We lead with our Values every day and bring them to life together.
Boundless opportunity
We create opportunities to learn and grow at every stage of your career.
Continuous innovation
We invite you to help redefine the future of financial services.
Delivering the promise of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We foster an inclusive workplace where everyone thrives.
Championing Corporate Citizenship
We build a business that benefits all stakeholders and has a positive social and environmental
LI-Hybrid
About Manulife and John Hancock
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better.
With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across our offices in Asia, Canada, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.
We provide financial advice, insurance, and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions.
At the end of 2022, we had more than 40,000 employees, over 116,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 34 million customers.
At the end of 2022, we had $1.3 trillion (US$1.0 trillion) in assets under management and administration, including total invested assets of $0.
4 trillion (US $0.3 trillion), and segregated funds net assets of $0.3 trillion (US$0.3 trillion). We trade as MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under 945’ in Hong Kong.
Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary & Benefits
The annual base salary for this role is listed below.
Primary Location
Waterloo, Ontario
Salary range is expected to be between
$98,400.00 CAD - $177,120.00 CAD
If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact for the salary range for your location.
The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education / training.
Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.
Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption / surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee / family assistance plans.
We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources.
Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.
If you are applying for this role in the U.S., please contact for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.