Manager Product Taxation and Initiatives

Why you’ll love this role : The Manager, Product Taxation and Initiatives consults with and provides guidance to business unit and corporate management on product, individual and corporate tax issues, has oversight over the organization’s policy tax reporting process and team as well as manages and/or participates in various tax and finance related projects and initiatives. The incumbent is guided by defined goals and objectives and works under the general supervision of the Manager, Taxation.

What you’ll be working on :

• Contribute to the product development and rationalization process; consult with and provide tax guidance and advice to the product lines of business for current and future products; create and communicate impact assessments related to new and proposed legislation
• Research and stay abreast of applicable foreign and domestic laws and regulations and ensure the Corporate policy tax reporting process is compliant. This includes ownership over the understanding of FATCA and CRS legislation and periodic changes thereto, maintaining documentation of these requirements and working with internal business units to ensure the organization’s processes and procedures meet the requirements
• Ensure compliance standards for internal controls on product and policy tax related matters are developed, documented and maintained; participate in the development and documentation of departmental processes, procedures and controls; manage the implementation of approved process and control improvements
• Collaborate with the broader Finance team and business units to implement policy tax reporting changes
• Ensure tax changes are efficiently and appropriately integrated into Corporate systems and procedures
• Review and approve policy tax deliverables and ensure deadlines and requirements are met
• Develop training programs and materials and deliver product and policy tax training to other areas of the organization as required or requested
• Cross-train on corporate and commodity tax processes and compliance activities
• Coach and mentor employees; identify employee training and development needs; participate in the hiring and employment process for team members; set employee tasks, goals and objectives; manage employee performance
• Participate in the development of the team budget in accordance with communicated guidelines; ensure a disciplined approach to expense management is observed by all policy tax team members
• Liaise and correspond with taxation authorities and other regulatory bodies, as required
• Collaborate with external and internal auditors and assist in the timely delivery of auditor information requests
• Lead, oversee or participate in departmental, Finance or broader organizational special projects and initiatives
• Network with industry peers to remain current with competitor tax strategies and processes as well as knowledge of taxation trends and best practices within the industry
• Represent Empire Life on industry committees
• Other duties as assigned

What you’ll need to have :

• Completion of a university degree with courses in accounting, finance, taxation, audit, management and business administration
• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation
• Completion of or actively working to complete the CPA Canada In-depth Tax Course is an asset
• FLMI designation is an asset
• 5+ years work experience in accounting and Canadian tax policy and procedure, with at least 1 year of experience as a Tax Manager
• Experience in the financial services/insurance industry
• Management and/or Supervisory experience
• Strong knowledge of Federal and Provincial income taxes; knowledge of sales taxes and the Goods and Services Tax is an asset
• Proven experience researching and analyzing tax legislation and regulatory guidelines
• Knowledge of insurance/risk and wealth products, including universal life, whole life, term life and segregated funds
• Knowledge of contract interpretation and Canadian policyholder tax legislation
• Advanced knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and database software
• Tact, diplomacy and the ability to handle confidential information
• Ability to conduct research, think logically, analyze and/or solve problems
• Ability to prioritize and balance multiple tasks
• Ability to negotiate solutions
• Excellent attention to detail/accuracy
• Well-developed communication skills
• Well-developed coaching and mentoring skills

Beyond the salary : For regular full-time positions, Empire Life offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including:

• Benefits plan
• Pension plan
• Social club
• Learning & development
• Current career opportunities
• Career choices

Get to know us : We’re one of the top 10 life insurance companies in Canada and offer an environment that encourages the pursuit of personal and professional success. At the heart of that success is our focus on customers; we provide protection and financial securit