Manager, Technical Accounting

Location: 

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. 

 

Seaspan Ship Management is looking for a Technical Accounting Manager to lead the Company’s technical accounting function by establishing accounting policies, researching and interpreting complex IFRS and US GAAP matters, advising on transaction structuring, overseeing policy implementation, supporting financial reporting, and serving as the primary liaison with external auditors on accounting policies and technical positions to ensure compliant and consistent accounting practices across the organization. 

 

Job Responsibilities: 

 

  • Own Accounting Policy for the Company, update annually or more frequently as needed, and publish on the Company’s portal for employees to use as the authoritative source. 

  • Research & Analysis: Monitor upcoming accounting standard changes; both IFRS and US GAAP. 

  • Documentation: Draft clear, defensible technical accounting analysis. 

  • Implementation: Help design operational and system workflows to operationalize the accounting analysis. 

  • Sign off: Review and approve implementation at an execution level, ensuring accuracy of workbooks, posting logic, postings, and process details beyond the high-level concept. Ensure accuracy, completeness and consistency against technical accounting analysis. 

  • Transaction Structuring, accounting research and documentation: Work with cross functional teams including Commercial, Capital Markets and Finance teams on new commercial contracts, new financing, mergers, or acquisitions to determine appropriate accounting treatments. Complete formal accounting documentation and training to ensure intended accounting outcomes are achieved. 

  • Policy Documentation: Draft authoritative technical accounting memos, whitepapers, and corporate accounting policies in compliance with relevant accounting frameworks. 

  • Regulatory Compliance: Monitor emerging updates from accounting standard boards (US GAAP, IFRS) and escalate their impact on the organization. 

  • Audit Facilitation: Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors regarding technical positions, providing necessary documentation and rationales. 

  • Financial Reporting: Assist the corporate financial reporting team with the preparation of financial statement footnotes and disclosures. Also, review financial statements to ensure compliance with accounting standards 

  • Internal Training: Provide technical guidance, advice, and training sessions to the financial reporting and operational accounting teams and business partners on newly implemented/upcoming policies 

 

Requirements and Qualifications:

 

  • CPA designation. 

  • 10 years of experience in accounting. Big 4 preferred. 

  • In-depth and practical US GAAP and IFRS knowledge in the areas of lease and lease modification accounting (lessor and lessee), complex financing structures, hedging, joint ventures, complex intercompany structures and transactions, foreign exchange transactions, impairment, acquisition and divestiture of capital property, etc.  

  • Excellent written and verbal communication including ability to explain complex accounting issues/impacts to non-accountants 

  • Strong attention to detail with a “zero defects” mindset. 

  • Proven focus on results and proven ability to follow through to completion 

  • Lead/collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. 

  • Software Proficiency: Advanced Microsoft Excel skills alongside exposure to enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems like SAP, Oracle, or Oracle NetSuite. 

 

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 $130,000 - $150,000 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.

A WEEK AT SEA WITH SEASPAN

This video was taken on board our 4250 TEU vessel, Seaspan Santos, during a six-day passage in September 2013.

JOIN THE BEST AT SEA

When you join the Seaspan family, you become a part of a company with one of the newest and most advanced fleets in the industry. Our modern vessels are maintained to the highest standards and offer excellent living conditions for our seafarers.