Accounting Senior Specialist

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.