Manager, Commercial Accounting
Vancouver, CA
Seaspan employees are goal-driven and thrive in a high-performance culture. Our integrated business model, with over 25 years of fleet life-cycle management expertise, provides the world’s major shipping companies with long-term leases on large, modern and technologically advanced vessels, combined with industry-leading ship management services. As owner and operator of the vessels, we provide skilled officers and crews dedicated to the safe, reliable, and economical operation of our fleet. Seaspan's fleet has evolved over time to meet the varying needs of our customer base. We own vessels in a wide range of sizes, from 2,500 TEU to 24,000 TEU. Our main operating offices are located in Singapore, Vancouver, Hong Kong, and Mumbai.
We are looking for a Manager, Commercial Accounting who will lead the financial management and recovery optimization of complex projects and commercial arrangements by overseeing cost recoveries, joint venture and tenant billings, project accounting, financial analysis, audit compliance, and internal controls, while partnering with business leaders to maximize cash flow, prevent revenue leakage, and drive operational excellence.
Job Responsibilities:
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Act as accounting hub for multiple departments involved in complex commercial arrangements. Design processes to enable accounting and execute the required process for timely accounting.
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Manage Recoveries: Oversee complex cost recovery models, tenant/partner chargebacks, and joint venture billings.
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Project Tracking: Monitor project budgets, forecasts, commitments, and actual expenditures against variances.
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Financial Analysis: Prepare monthly project performance reports, cash flow projections, and margin analysis.
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Compliance & Audit: Lead external and partner audits by providing reconciliations and contract documentation.
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Process Optimization: Refine internal controls and automated workflows for tracking reimbursable expenses.
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Serves as a key interface between the P2P and O2C functions, fostering effective cross-functional collaboration and alignment related to recoverable costs and other cross-functional initiatives.
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Analyze project ledger expenses to identify costs eligible for recovery under corporate, joint venture, or tenant agreements.
- Project accounting experience specifically dealing with joint ventures, intercompany transactions, and multi-party recoveries.
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Review comprehensive billing packages and cost-recovery reconciliations.
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Monitor aged outstanding recoveries and disputed claims, partnering with legal and project leadership to secure cash flow.
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Perform detailed variance analysis comparing actual project spend and recovery rates against initial baseline budgets.
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Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external auditors during project-specific cost-recovery reviews.
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Evaluate and strengthen internal controls to prevent missed recovery opportunities and optimize cash inflows.
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Advise Project Managers and Executives on financial recovery optimization strategies and contract phrasing to maximize cost leakage prevention.
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Mentor and review the work of junior accountants or accounts receivable staff involved in recovery-type work.
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Champion continuous improvement initiatives by identifying gaps and implementing best practices.
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Contribute to accounting close processes, including reconciliations, journal entries, working paper review, etc.
Requirements & Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
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CPA designation
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In-depth and practical US GAAP and IFRS knowledge
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Minimum 5 years of project accounting experience.
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Advanced proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle NetSuite) and expert-level Excel skills.
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Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across functions.
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Excellent written and verbal communication.
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Strong ability to explain complex financial variances to non-financial project managers.
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Strong understanding of contract language and legal frameworks, governing cost sharing or commercial tenant leases.
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Meticulous attention to detail to spot unbilled or misallocated expenses within massive data sets.
- Project accounting experience specifically dealing with joint ventures, intercompany transactions, and multi-party recoveries.
Compensation and Benefits Package:
Seaspan’s total compensation is based on our pay-for-performance philosophy that rewards team members who deliver on and demonstrate our high-performance culture. The hiring range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000 CAD per annum. The exact base salary offered will be commensurate with the incumbent’s experience, job-related skills and knowledge, and internal pay equity.
Seaspan Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status. We thank all applicants in advance. If your application is shortlisted to be included in the interview process, one of our team will be in contact with you.