Optimization & Business Intelligence Director

Job Description

Vortex Strategy & Recruitment is actively seeking a Director, Optimization & Business Intelligence for its client, a leading accounting firm based in Montreal.

The Director, Optimization & Business Intelligence leads process improvement, finance function optimization, and operational efficiency mandates for both internal and external clients. The incumbent contributes to the design and implementation of value-added solutions while producing the analyses and reports required for successful project delivery. Responsible for client communications, the Director ensures deadlines and deliverables are met. The role works closely with the Advisory Services team and reports to the Partner responsible for the practice.

Your Role and Responsibilities

Support Internal Operations

• Analyze current processes to identify and propose improvement opportunities that increase the efficiency of engagements and internal operations.

• Listen to employees' needs regarding day-to-day challenges related to processes and tools.

• Conduct cost-benefit analyses of proposed improvements.

• Participate in the implementation of improvement projects.

Optimize Financial Processes

• Review, document, and optimize key financial processes by analyzing available data and developing clear findings.

• Participate in client workshops to gather information, suggest improvement opportunities, and support the implementation of identified changes.

• Prepare procedures, recommendation reports including process mapping when required, and client presentations.

Business Intelligence, Financial Advisory Services for External Clients

• Support clients in understanding their financial results by periodically analyzing financial statements and highlighting unusual or inconsistent items requiring investigation.

• Monitor the quality of financial information to provide clients with confidence in the accuracy of their results.

• Act as a technical or operational resource for clients.

• Identify client needs regarding key performance indicators (KPIs), then cleanse and restructure accounting data to generate the required information.

• Provide accounting training to client personnel.

• Perform various tasks for clients to improve the effectiveness of the finance department (chart of accounts review, consolidation process review, foreign currency conversion review, implementation of budgeting and cash flow processes, etc.).

Participate in Engagement Management and Client Support

• Actively contribute to engagement management by preparing recommendations, drafting reports, and participating in presentations.

• Ensure the smooth execution of engagements by serving as the primary client contact, anticipating potential issues, and proposing practical solutions adapted to the business context.

• Manage engagements independently, from the service proposal stage through final delivery, balancing client expectations with project and budget constraints.

• Use available tools to maximize efficiency and the quality of deliverables.

Meet Deadlines and Budget Requirements

• Inform stakeholders of applicable deadlines and take the necessary actions to ensure they are met.

• Manage engagement time budgets and notify the Senior Director in the event of budget overruns to obtain additional budget approval.

• Identify additional billable work opportunities.

Participate in Training, Recruitment, and Business Development

• Prepare and participate in internal training sessions on specific Advisory Services topics.

• Participate in networking events to promote the department's advisory services and enhance the visibility of the practice.

• Identify business opportunities both internally and among clients.

• Collaborate closely with the Senior Director in preparing service proposals, budgets, and presentations for prospective clients.

Development of Best Practices

• Participate in the development of templates and tools used by the team.

• Contribute to the development of processes aimed at optimizing the practice.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Business Administration (Accounting specialization).

• CPA Auditor designation required.

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in audit, along with relevant experience in optimization and business intelligence roles.

• Relevant experience in financial analysis.

• Training or certification in process optimization is considered an asset (e.g., Lean Six Sigma).

• Knowledge of various financial and accounting systems is considered an asset.

• Advanced proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite, including demonstrated expertise in Excel.

• Experience with Power BI is considered an asset.

• Strong project management and change management skills.

• Ability to meet with and travel to client sites.

• Excellent command of French (spoken and written), with functional English skills to ensure effective oral and written communication with our English-speaking clientele.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary based on experience.

• Comprehensive and flexible group insurance program.

• Annual wellness allowance.

• Flexible time, flexible schedule, and flexible workplace: flexibility is offered in multiple forms to maximize autonomy. Flexible time allows employees to recover time accumulated during busier periods, flexible scheduling provides the ability to adapt working hours to personal routines, and flexible workplace options allow employees to choose where they work based on personal needs while respecting operational requirements.

• 100% remote work option if desired.

• Telemedicine services.

• Social activities such as happy hours, BBQ lunches, outdoor activity days, tax season celebrations, game and quiz nights, prize draws, and more.

• And much more.