Office Manager, Payroll & Accounting

Office Manager, Payroll & Accounting
Location: Edwardsville, Nova Scotia
Work Arrangement: In person
Position: Full-time, permanent
Salary: $58,000 to $65,000, depending on experience
Reports to: Director of Finance

The Opportunity

Cape Breton Beverages and Trans-Atlantic Preforms are seeking a careful, dependable and highly organized Office Manager, Payroll & Accounting. This is a role for someone who takes their work seriously and takes pride in getting the details right. You will be responsible for payroll, benefits and pension administration, core accounting processes and day-to-day office administration for both companies. You will also lead a small, established team, currently made up of four administrative support staff.

The role also supports our sister companies, Nova Scotia Spirit Co./Blue Lobster and Annapolis Cider Company, with a second review of payments and transfers, banking and cash management support, and backup coverage when needed. The work follows a well-defined cycle with firm deadlines: regular payroll runs, month-end and year-end accounting, and scheduled government remittances.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, you will have clear responsibilities, clear lines of approval and the support you need to do the work accurately and well. You will be the trusted point of contact for employees and managers on payroll, benefit and pension questions. You will also work with our external accountants, auditors, financial institutions and benefit providers.

What You'll Do

Payroll, Benefits & Pension

• Process payroll accurately and on schedule for employees across both companies.
• Maintain payroll records and process changes related to compensation, deductions, vacation and other payroll matters.
• Prepare payroll reconciliations, source deduction remittances and related reporting.
• Prepare and issue Records of Employment.
• Administer employee benefit and pension plans, including enrolments, changes, terminations and contributions.
• Work directly with benefit and pension providers to resolve issues and ensure accurate administration.
• Answer employee questions on payroll, benefits and pension clearly and accurately.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records.

Accounting & Financial Administration

• Complete assigned month-end accounting processes and procedures.
• Prepare and post recurring and other required journal entries.
• Assist with general ledger reconciliations and account analysis.
• Prepare and submit HST returns and other required government remittances.
• Oversee accounts payable and support other accounting functions as required.
• Prepare financial and administrative reports for management.
• Maintain complete and accurate accounting records and supporting documentation.

Banking & Cash Management

• Oversee company deposits and day-to-day banking activities.
• Review and process EFT transactions, with final approval by finance leadership, in accordance with company procedures.
• Support banking administration and correspondence.
• Ensure banking transactions and records are accurately maintained and reconciled.
• Provide a second review of payments and transfers for Nova Scotia Spirit Co./Blue Lobster and Annapolis Cider Company before they are released, in accordance with company procedures.
• Support the Director of Finance with banking and cash management for Nova Scotia Spirit Co./Blue Lobster and Annapolis Cider Company, including tracking balances and preparing banking information and reports.

Year-End & Audit

• Support and coordinate the annual year-end accounting and financial reporting process.
• Prepare year-end schedules, reconciliations and supporting documentation.
• Work closely with the Director of Finance and external accountants and auditors to provide required information.
• Respond to audit requests and assist in resolving issues identified through the year-end process.
• Support other financial reporting and compliance requirements as needed.

Team & Office Administration

• Lead a team (currently comprised of four administrative support staff) by example, as the technical expert in payroll and administration, providing clear direction, training and regular feedback.
• Make sure the team's work is completed accurately, on schedule and in line with company procedures.
• Provide administrative support to managers and employees on payroll, benefits and other employment-related matters.
• Coordinate day-to-day administrative requirements and maintain organized company records.
• Keep accounting and administrative procedures documented and up to date, and recommend improvements.
• Assist the Director of Finance with defined projects as needed.
• Provide backup coverage for payroll, accounting and administrative functions at Nova Scotia Spirit Co./Blue Lobster and Annapolis Cider Company when needed, as assigned by the Director of Finance.

What You Bring

We are looking for someone who is thorough, disciplined and reliable, with strong knowledge of payroll and accounting and a commitment to doing things properly. The ideal candidate will have:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in payroll, accounting, financial administration or a combination of these areas.
• Hands-on payroll processing experience, with a sound understanding of payroll rules and remittance requirements.
• Experience supervising or leading a small team.
• Experience with month-end accounting processes, reconciliations and financial reporting.
• Experience preparing government remittances, including payroll source deductions and HST.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• A methodical, organized approach, with the ability to plan work around recurring deadlines.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Respect for procedures, controls and confidentiality, and sound judgment about when to ask a question or raise a concern.
• A professional, respectful and factual manner with employees and colleagues.
• The confidence to follow up, uphold standards and see that procedures are followed.
• The ability to work independently within clear guidelines.

Experience with Sage 300 and Paymate is considered an asset. Post-secondary education in accounting, business administration, payroll or a related field is also considered an asset.

Confidentiality

This position requires signing a confidentiality agreement, and the successful candidate will be subject to a criminal background check. You will have access to financial information, payroll and compensation details, and sensitive personnel and business matters. In a community where many of our employees are neighbours, discretion is not a formality. It is the foundation of the role.

Why Cape Breton Beverages and Trans-Atlantic Preforms?

• Stability. Cape Breton Beverages has operated in Cape Breton for 77 years under multiple generations of the same family, and Trans-Atlantic Preforms has been manufacturing for more than 35 years.
• Clarity. Clearly defined tasks, duties and reporting relationships, with established procedures and approval processes.
• A professional work environment. We take quality and accuracy seriously, in our products and in how we run our business.
• Accountability. You will be accountable for accurate payroll, records and administration for both companies, with ownership of your area of expertise.
• Training and support. A structured handover, thorough training on our systems and a Director of Finance who is available for direction.
• A consistent schedule. In-person work at our Edwardsville office.
• Compensation. A salary of $58,000 to $65,000, depending on experience, plus health and dental benefits, and pension.
• A long-term home. A role you can grow in as the companies grow, with a team that has deep roots in Cape Breton and a genuine commitment to its employees, customers and community.

About Us

We are a group of four Nova Scotia companies with a shared ambition: from Nova Scotia to the world. Cape Breton Beverages has been bottling Pepsi products in Cape Breton for 77 years, across multiple generations of the same family. Trans-Atlantic Preforms has manufactured PET preforms for customers across Canada and internationally for more than 35 years. Nova Scotia Spirit Co. produces Blue Lobster spirits and ready-to-drink beverages, now expanding distribution nationally. Annapolis Cider Company is an award-winning craft cidery in the Annapolis Valley, recognized internationally for its cider. Together we employ more than 170 people across the province. We are growing, and we are building the systems and leadership infrastructure to support our next stage of growth.

This position is based with Cape Breton Beverages and Trans-Atlantic Preforms, with defined banking, payment review and backup support responsibilities for Nova Scotia Spirit Co./Blue Lobster and Annapolis Cider Company. At Cape Breton Beverages, we locally produce Pepsi, 7-Up, Schweppes, and Crush soft-drink products and distribute a wide range of other beverages across Cape Breton Island. Cape Breton Beverages also provides Full Service Beverage and Snack vending throughout Cape Breton Island through its subsidiary Downeast Vending.

All of our companies are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture and share the same core values: quality and reliability in everything we produce, disciplined execution, long-term relationships with customers and partners, continuous improvement, and a strong sense of responsibility to our employees and communities. When you work at Cape Breton Beverages and Trans-Atlantic Preforms, you are part of a team that helps make this Island a better place to live through our active support of fundraisers, community organizations and special events in Cape Breton.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter through CareerBeacon. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and this posting will close once the position is filled, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for the next round, Predictive Index assessments, will be contacted.

Cape Breton Beverages and Trans-Atlantic Preforms are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds.