Hybrid International Staff Accountant chez Hazen and Sawyer

Hazen and Sawyer is seeking an International Bookkeeper to join our successful, environmental engineering firm. We are an employee-owned firm with over 2,100 people in over 70 locations across the country and abroad. Our range of services encompasses the planning, design, and construction management of water and wastewater-related projects – from clean water treatment, storage, and distribution to wastewater and stormwater collection, treatment, and reuse.

Why Hazen and Sawyer:

• Founded in 1951 by the son of Allen Hazen (developer of the Hazen-Williams equation), we are an employee-owned company with a singular focus on "all things water."
• Our work includes planning, design, and oversight of construction of environmental infrastructure – for water, wastewater, and stormwater management.
• We foster a work environment low on bureaucracy and high in creativity.
• We recruit talented professionals, provide them with challenging, interesting, and creative assignments, and furnish them with the tools they need to succeed. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records across multi-currency ledgers for UK and Canadian entities.
• Process accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliations, and journal entries for both entities.
• Maintain fixed asset register and post depreciation/amortization expense.
• Prepare and submit VAT returns (UK) and GST/HST/PST filings (Canada) within statutory deadlines with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC - UK) and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA - Canada) for:

Value Added Tax (VAT - UK) and Goods and Services Tax (GST - CA) + applicable provincial, Harmonized Sales Tax (HST - CA), Provincial Sales Tax (PST - CA) – Provincial BC, SK, MB).

• Support preparation of monthly/quarterly management reports and assist with year-end closing activities.
• Manage payroll journal entries and reconciliations in alignment with UK PAYE/NIC and Canada Pension Plan (CPP)/Employment Insurance (EI)/ Slip and Summary T4, requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-border finance teams to ensure unified reporting and intercompany transaction reconciliation.
• Monitor exchange rates and adjust foreign currency entries for accurate reporting.
• Stay current with changes in UK and Canadian tax legislation affecting bookkeeping and filing responsibilities.
• Utilize accounting software (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks, Deltek Vision or Vantagepoint) adapted to multi-country operations.

Required Qualifications:

•  BA/BS degree in Accounting
• A minimum of 3 years of accounting experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong proficiency with MS Excel
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and stringent deadlines within a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work well with others and independently.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Deltek VantagePoint is a plus.
• Canada (is a plus):

• Understanding the regional differences and thresholds for federal and provincial taxes (5% GST + applicable provincial sales tax rules)
• Accounting for varying rules on minimum wage, holiday pay, and statutory deductions (e.g., Ontario vs. BC).
• Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Credits - Tracking eligible expenses for potential tax credits.

• UK (is a plus):

• Working knowledge of UK payroll including auto-enrolment pension contributions.
• Understanding VAT rates (standard, reduced, zero-rated, exempt).
• Monitoring VAT registration thresholds.

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans)
• Pre-tax flexible spending plans for medical, dependent care, and transportation
• Short and long-term disability, and employer paid life insurance
• Paid holidays, floating holidays, and paid time off (PTO)
• Employer-contributed 401(k) plan and additional financial planning support
• Professional growth opportunities, including tuition reimbursement, in-house training, and incentives for professional registration and professional organization memberships
• Starting pay range for this position depends on skills, experience, education and geographical location