Senior Accountant and Payroll Specialist

About Hope Place Centres

Hope Place Centres is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming lives through high-quality addiction treatment and recovery services. Through trauma-informed, evidence-based residential and community programs, we help individuals and families build pathways to sustainable recovery and renewed hope.

Position Overview

The Senior Accountant and Payroll Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day financial administration, accounting support, payroll processing, and financial reporting activities of the organization. This role ensures the accurate and timely processing of financial transactions, payroll, reconciliations, and reporting in accordance with organizational policies, applicable legislation, and generally accepted accounting principles.

Working closely with the Director and other members of the leadership team, the Senior Finance and Payroll Specialist provides reliable financial information, maintains strong internal controls, and supports effective financial management and operational decision-making.

The successful candidate will be an experienced, detail-oriented finance professional who demonstrates sound judgment, initiative, discretion, and the ability to manage competing priorities independently in a dynamic non-profit environment.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting and Financial Operations

• Maintain accurate and complete financial records in accordance with established accounting standards and organizational policies.
• Process accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions, including invoice verification, payment preparation, expense coding, and follow-up on outstanding balances.
• Perform monthly bank, credit card, balance sheet, and general ledger reconciliations.
• Monitor expenditures, investigate discrepancies, and ensure transactions are appropriately authorized and recorded.
• Maintain accurate records of restricted funding, grants, donations, and program-related expenditures, where applicable.
• Prepare tax receipts and maintain donation records in accordance with established accounting standards and organizational policies

Payroll and Employee Administration

• Process full-cycle payroll accurately and on schedule, including regular earnings, overtime, statutory holiday pay, vacation pay, and other applicable payments.
• Maintain payroll records and employee payroll information, ensuring confidentiality and accuracy.
• Administer payroll deductions, statutory remittances, garnishments, and other required withholdings.
• Reconcile payroll accounts and prepare payroll-related journal entries.
• Prepare and submit year-end payroll reporting, including T4s, T4 summaries, and other applicable filings.
• Maintain payroll compliance with applicable federal and Ontario employment and tax legislation.
• Coordinate payroll-related changes, including new hires, terminations, salary adjustments, leaves of absence, and benefit deductions.
• Liaise with the organization’s payroll provider, benefits providers, and government agencies as required.

Audit, Compliance and Internal Controls

• Assist in preparing supporting schedules, reconciliations, and documentation for the annual audit or independent financial review.
• Respond to auditor requests and coordinate the collection of required financial records.
• Maintain organized financial and payroll documentation in accordance with retention requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax requirements, payroll legislation, funding agreements, and internal policies.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen financial processes, improve accuracy, and enhance internal controls.
• Maintain appropriate segregation of duties and escalate discrepancies or control concerns to the Director.

Systems, Process Improvement and Organizational Support

• Maintain accurate information within accounting, payroll, and financial reporting systems.
• Identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of accounting and payroll processes.
• Develop and maintain procedures, reconciliations, tracking tools, and supporting documentation.
• Provide financial and payroll information to authorized internal stakeholders in a timely and professional manner.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and operational leaders on payroll, benefits deductions, employee changes, and related financial matters.
• Provide backup support for other finance and administrative functions as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• Post-secondary education in accounting, finance, bookkeeping, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of five years of progressive experience in accounting, payroll, or financial administration.
• Demonstrated experience processing full-cycle payroll and maintaining general ledger accounts.
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, statutory deductions, remittances, and year-end reporting requirements.
• Experience with account reconciliations, journal entries, month-end processes, and financial reporting.
• Proficiency in accounting software, payroll systems, and Microsoft Excel. Knowledge of Microsoft Great Plains and Quadrant an asset.
• Experience in a non-profit organization, including fund accounting, restricted funding, or funder reporting, is considered an asset.
• Experience supporting annual audits and preparing financial documentation.
• PCP designation, accounting coursework, or progress toward a recognized accounting designation is an asset.

Required Qualifications

• Satisfactory Police Record Check, Employment Verification, Credit Check.
• Valid Ontario Class G Driver's Licence, reliable transportation, and proof of current automobile insurance in accordance with organizational requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical, numerical, and problem-solving skills.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage competing deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Demonstrated discretion and ability to maintain confidential financial and employee information.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proactive approach to identifying discrepancies, resolving issues, and improving processes.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across departments and levels of the organization.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and responsible stewardship of resources within a non-profit environment.

Working Conditions

• Ability to work independently within established policies, procedures, and deadlines.
• Frequent use of computer systems and standard office equipment.
• Regular periods of sitting and keyboard work.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and time-sensitive responsibilities.
• Occasional travel within the community may be required.
• Exposure to confidential and sensitive organizational, employee, and financial information.
• Occasional contact with soiled surfaces, objects, and biohazards
• Infrequent exposure to hazardous conditions and materials

What We Offer

• Supportive and collaborative work environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• EAP
• The expected hourly compensation will be $37.00 - $42.00. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills and internal equity.

Accessibility & Equity Statement

Hope Place Centres is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process upon request.

Hope Place Centres is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to recruiting and retaining a qualified workforce and is committed to hiring practices that are fair and equitable. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, and organizational needs. Protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code will never be a factor in employment-related decisions.

This posting is for a new position within the organization. We do not use AI to screen applications or make employment decisions; members of our hiring team review all applications.