Senior Manager, Accounting - Canada

Description

Job Title:   Senior Manager, Accounting - Canada  

Reporting to: COO, CFO, Finance Group Officers  

UNIQLO is a leading brand of the Fast Retailing Group, one of the largest apparel retailers in the world.  UNIQLO respects the individuality and lifestyle of all customers and takes pride in creating high-quality, long-lasting, innovative clothing at an affordable price.  

Position Overview:  

Reporting to the CFO, the Senior Manager of Accounting for UNIQLO Canada will play a pivotal role in overseeing and managing the company’s accounting operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance with applicable regulations, and enabling strategic financial reporting. This position requires a highly organized, detail-oriented, and experienced professional with a strong background in accounting, ideally within a retail or multinational corporation environment. This hands-on leader operates at both the strategic and operational levels, serving as a strong business partner to store managers and the executive team, and a key contributor to our continued expansion in the Canadian retail market.  

This is a high-impact role for a decisive leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys solving complex problems, and is driven to build and optimize financial systems to support long-term success. The ability to work in alignment with our US regional management team and our global headquarters in Japan is crucial.  

Key Responsibilities:  

Accounting Strategy and Leadership  

• Provide strategic advice to senior management and collaborate closely with other departments to align accounting practices with organizational priorities.  
• Monitor industry trends and regulatory changes to recommend proactive adjustments in accounting procedures.  
• Collaborate with US and Japan team members to provide accounting guidance and support organizational projects globally and in Canada.  
• Conduct regular discussions with Corporate Planning to support P&L management and business insights, while proactively identifying cost-saving opportunities.  
• Deliver key financial findings to management monthly for designated markets  
• Develop strong relationships with store management and the EC business to identify potential accounting concerns and improve P&L understanding.  
• Support the HR team in developing financial planning for new employees’ benefits policies (pension plan).  

Accounting Operations  

• Oversee all accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, lease accounting, tax filings, and general ledger accounting.  
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial reports, statements, and budgets  
• Maintain and optimize accounting systems and procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness.  
• Ensure compliance with Canadian accounting standards, taxation laws, and other regulatory requirements.  
• Prepare IFRS reports, including additional quarterly and annual disclosure.  
• Lead month-end P&L reviews and balance sheet analysis meetings while preparing monthly journals and reconciliations for assigned markets.  
• Approve and review processed A/P vouchers using the Coupa system and SAP.  
• Ensure compliance with Fast Retailing’s global accounting policies and procedures.  

Audit and Risk Management  

• Lead internal and external audits to ensure transparency and accuracy in financial reporting.  
• Identify accounting risks and implement controls to mitigate them.  
• Monitor and implement accounting controls effectively.  
• Manage compliance for designated countries, ensuring adherence to local reporting requirements, coordination with third-party tax consultants, VAT data submission, and completion of business statistics questionnaires.  
• Ensure proper documentation and adherence to compliance protocols to maintain corporate integrity.  

Team Management and Development  

• Recruit, train, and mentor high-performing accounting and AP teams handling transactional processes within the Global Finance function abroad.  
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the accounting department.  
• Set clear goals and provide regular feedback to team members to ensure alignment with organizational objectives.  

What You Bring:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; CPA designation preferred.  
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in accounting, with at least 4 years in a leadership role.  
• Proven experience in a retail environment or multinational corporation is highly preferred.  
• Advanced knowledge of IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards), especially IFRS 16.  
• Expertise in Canadian tax compliance and reporting requirements to ensure proper filing and remittance.  
• Proficiency in accounting software and ERP systems, such as SAP and Coupa.  
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and the ability to interpret complex accounting data.  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address accounting challenges effectively.  
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and manage diverse teams.  
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills to present accounting insights to non-accounting stakeholders.  
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external partners, including auditors and regulatory bodies.  
• Proven ability to manage people, prior supervisory experience of leading a small team (in finance or other settings) 
• Proven ability to lead strategic initiatives while managing day-to-day finance functions  
• A true passion for the UNIQLO brand, with the ability to explain our product features and to resonate with our corporate philosophy/values

What We Offer:  

• Competitive salary, performance bonus, and comprehensive benefits package.
• High-visibility role with collaboration across global and regional executive teams.
• Career growth in a company that values ambition, innovation, integrity, and performance.
• A results-driven, entrepreneurial culture where your decisions drive real business impact.
• Work in a modern office that is easily accessible by public transportation.

Please note: All job postings at UNIQLO Canada Inc. are for existing vacancies within our organization.  

Annual Salary: $121,000 - $138,000 CAD  

The salary range is based on several factors, including but not limited to overall experience, relevant experience, education level, certifications, applicable skills and expertise, and the position's location.   

AI Usage: As part of our recruitment process, we may use technology-assisted tools, including automated systems, to support the review and assessment of applications. These tools do not make the final decisions. All decisions related to screening, interviewing, and selection are made by our Talent Acquisition and hiring teams.  

UNIQLO Canada is an equal opportunity employer. As an equal opportunity employer, UNIQLO Canada Inc. does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, ancestry, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, place of origin, criminal conviction, family status, gender identity or expression, Indigenous identity, marital status, mental disability, physical disability, political belief, source of income or because of any other status or condition protected by applicable law.