WestJet

Accounting Senior Specialist

WestJet$80K — $95K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
  • CPA designation required.
  • 6+ years of progressive accounting experience in complex, large organizations.
  • Advanced knowledge of IFRS, financial reporting, and internal controls.
  • Proven track record in resolving complex accounting issues and translating technical requirements into actionable solutions.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

Responsibilities

  • Act as the primary expert for complex accounting and financial reporting matters.
  • Research and recommend solutions for complex accounting transactions ensuring compliance with IFRS.
  • Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, including journal entry reviews and financial analysis.
  • Partner with stakeholders to assess business initiatives and improve financial processes.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives for accounting processes and reporting accuracy.
  • Coordinate responses to audit requests and regulatory inquiries.
  • Support the development of accounting policies and standardized practices.

Benefits

  • Fun and friendly workplace culture.
  • Travel privileges for you and your family from your start date.
  • Flexible savings and benefit programs to meet diverse needs.
Full Job Description
This position requires in-person collaboration up to five days a week. This arrangement is subject to change based on business requirements.

Overview of the Role

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Vacations Accounting, the Accounting Senior Specialist serves as the subject matter expert for complex accounting and financial reporting matters across Sunwing Vacations Group, including Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, SellOff Vacations, and LUXE. This role is responsible for providing accounting expertise, leading cross-functional initiatives, and driving process improvements that enhance the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial reporting.

The Senior Specialist evaluates and resolves complex accounting issues, supports the implementation of accounting policy and regulatory changes, and partners with stakeholders across the business to strengthen financial controls and reporting processes. Acting as a trusted advisor, the role influences decision-making, leads special projects, supports external and internal audits, and champions continuous improvement initiatives across the vacations accounting portfolio.

Key Deliverables
  • Serve as the primary subject matter expert for complex accounting, financial reporting, and control matters impacting the Vacations business.
  • Research, assess, and provide recommendations on complex accounting transactions and emerging accounting issues, ensuring compliance with IFRS and company policies.
  • Lead and support the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, including review of significant journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial analysis.
  • Partner with operational and commercial stakeholders to evaluate business initiatives, identify accounting implications, and improve financial processes.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across accounting processes, controls, reporting, and systems, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, scalability, and accuracy.
  • Lead the accounting workstream for system implementations, process redesigns, and strategic business initiatives, ensuring accounting requirements are appropriately addressed.
  • Coordinate responses to internal and external audit requests, regulatory inquiries, and control testing activities.
  • Support the development and implementation of accounting policies, procedures, and standardized operating practices across the vacations accounting function.
  • Collaborate with FP&A to provide financial insights, support forecasting activities, and explain significant financial variances.
  • Act as a key liaison between Finance and operational teams, providing guidance and influencing outcomes on accounting-related matters.
  • Provide informal leadership, coaching, and knowledge sharing to team members, helping elevate technical expertise and process consistency across the accounting function.
  • Lead special projects and ad hoc analyses on behalf of Accounting leadership and enterprise stakeholders.


Experience & Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
  • CPA designation required.
  • 6+ years of progressive accounting experience within a complex, multi-entity, or large organization.
  • Advanced knowledge of IFRS, financial reporting, internal controls, and accounting operations.
  • Demonstrated experience resolving complex accounting issues and translating technical accounting requirements into practical business solutions.
  • Proven ability to influence stakeholders across multiple levels of the organization without direct authority.
  • Experience supporting external audits, internal audits, and implementation of control frameworks.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking capabilities.
  • Experience leading process improvement, automation, or system implementation initiatives.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
  • Experience within the travel, airline, or tour-operator industry is considered an asset.


The benefits of being a WestJetter:

WestJet provides all WestJetters with a competitive total rewards package. On top of that, we offer:

  • A fun and friendly culture with colleagues who work together to win
  • Travel privileges for you and your family, effective from your start date
  • Savings and Benefit programs that are flexible to meet your specific needs


Think we're a great fit? Apply now!

About WestJet

WestJet is a Canadian airline founded in 1996. It began as a low-cost alternative to the country's competing major airlines. WestJet provides scheduled and charter air service to more than 100 destinations in Canada, the United States, Europe, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. WestJet is currently the second-largest Canadian air carrier, behind Air Canada, operating an average of 777 flights and carrying over 66,130 passengers per day. WestJet is a public company with more than 14,000 employees, and is not part of any airline alliance. It operates three variants of the Boeing 737 Next Generation family, as well as Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Learn more about WestJet
Size
14,000 employees
Industry

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