Accounting Specialist

The Accounting Specialist executes complex yet structured accounting and reporting activities to ensure accurate financial records, compliant submissions, and reliable management insights. This role is critical in maintaining the integrity of financial data throughout the General Ledger and Sub-Ledger processes, including journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, inter-company transactions, and financial reporting.

The Accounting Specialist is expected to bring specialized expertise in transactional accounting, financial reporting, and cost management. The role demands proficiency in accounting systems, a strong understanding of professional accounting standards, and a commitment to continuous process improvement.

Operating under general guidelines, the Accounting Specialist improves the efficiency and work quality of multiple teams through effective coordination and guidance. The role requires sound judgment to manage escalated exceptions and contributes to business planning, management reporting, and compliance activities. Strong interpersonal skills, stakeholder engagement, and adaptability to change are essential for success in this role.

Position Responsibilities:

1) Accounting and Reporting

• Record-to-Report Execution: Apply professional accounting standards to accurately record transactions, maintain supporting documentation (including review/validation of intercompany agreements to support accurate accounting entries), and take full accountability for the accuracy and completeness of financial records (including investigating T&E expenses outside of budget).
• Period Close: Take ownership of the month-end close process by performing journal entries, accruals, and reclasses; reconciling sub-ledgers to the general ledger; evaluating accounts for legitimacy and substantiation; perform account reconciliation reviews and secure signoffs; approve and release journal entries in accordance with internal controls and compliance standards; and ensuring timely and accurate financial submissions.
• Benefits and Compensation Process: Provide financial oversight and analytical support for MFC employee benefits and compensation programs, ensuring compliance with internal controls, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements. Activities may include:
  • Ensuring accurate accounting and financial reporting of compensation-related expenses, including salaries, bonuses, and benefits accruals.
  • Collaborating with HR to validate payroll inputs, incentive payouts, and benefits costs for financial accuracy and compliance.
  • Performing variance analysis and cost tracking to monitor compensation trends and support budgeting and forecasting activities.
• Financial Reporting & Compliance: Prepare accurate financial submissions and support statutory and management reporting by ensuring alignment with internal policies and regulatory requirements, while proactively identifying and resolving reporting issues.
• Reporting and Analytical Support: Develop and deliver reporting analyses aligned with accounting standards to support ad-hoc decision-making.
  • Conduct targeted ad-hoc analyses as requested by stakeholders.
  • Prepare marketing allowance reports for management and financial analysts.
  • Review and validate sales incentive compensation accruals and payouts.
  • Process employee compensation accruals for Deferred Incentive Plans (DIP).
• Accounting Advisory Support: Support and participate in accounting discussions.
  • Support cross-functional teams during new business model evaluations, project initiatives, and resolution of ad-hoc accounting inquiries.
  • Apply new accounting standards, ensuring accurate implementation and alignment with corporate policies.
  • Participate in meetings, calls, and reporting activities related to changes in booking methodologies, regulatory studies, and financial reporting requirements.

2) Cost Management & Planning

• Cost Accounting: Apply costing methods (e.g., standard, marginal, absorption) to support operational and financial needs. Identify and update unit costs and analyze cost drivers.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Contribute to budgeting, forecasting, and business planning activities by preparing accurate inputs, performing thorough variance analyses, and delivering insights.
• Expense Management: Calculate, record, and analyze expenses; perform allocations and variance analysis; reconcile general expenses and suspense accounts; validate T&E entries.

3) Process, Controls & Systems

• Process Compliance & Improvement: Adhere to established processes and SOX controls. Identify opportunities for process improvement and support implementation.
• Systems Proficiency: Demonstrate understanding of accounting systems and their functionality. Monitor technology developments and recommend practical enhancements.
• System Admin Maintenance: Set up cost centers, accounting units, and account structures based on functional requirements to ensure proper entry booking.

4) Collaboration, Projects & Stakeholders

• Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain effective relationships with internal partners such as Controllership, FP&A, Operations, Technology, and Marketing to clarify requirements, align timelines, and resolve issues collaboratively.
• Project Participation: Participate in execution of projects including process transitions, system enhancements, and audits by delivering on actions by cascaded deadlines.
• Finance Process Modernization: Support in-flight transformation projects and contribute to change initiatives.
• Teamwork: Coordinate day-to-day tasks, monitor quality and progress to ensure efficient team performance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA (or equivalent) preferred.
• 2 to 4 years' relevant experience in accounting processes, including Record-to-Report (R2R), Procure-to-Pay (P2P), and Order-to-Cash (O2C), as well as financial reporting and cost management. Technical Skills
• Strong knowledge of accounting standards, transactional accounting, and financial reporting.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and accounting applications.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage change and drive process improvements.
• Embrace diverse perspectives and collaborate effectively across teams through active listening, inclusive interaction, and cooperative teamwork.
• Take ownership of assigned objectives, proactively drive assigned work to completion, and consistently deliver high-quality work on time.
• Assess business direction and evaluate the impact of change management on roles and responsibilities.

When you join our team:

•  We'll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
•  We'll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.
•  As part of our global team, we'll support you in shaping the future you want to see

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact

Working Arrangement