Manager, Risk Independence

Overview

KPMG in Canada emphasizes building a career with impact, where employees contribute their viewpoints to major challenges, grow capabilities for the future, and advance with support at every stage. The Independence Group is responsible for helping the firm and its people meet Professional, Regulatory, and KPMG Global and local country independence standards.

This position is centered on working with partners and staff across all service lines on how independence standards and policies apply. That includes rules and guidance from the SEC, PCAOB, CPA Code of Professional Conduct, and the IESBA Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants.

What You Will Do

• Use specialized knowledge of Canadian, SEC, PCAOB, and IESBA auditor independence requirements, along with KPMG Global and local country policies, to support client engagement teams.
• Help manage the design and rollout of a review-and-approval process for determining whether services can be provided to audit clients.
• Use research, analysis, and sound judgment to assess the firm’s independence position and relationships with current and prospective audit clients.
• Advise partners and teams across Canada on auditor independence matters related to firm independence.
• Guide engagement teams through engagement acceptance and other required independence clearance steps.
• Maintain and improve independence policies, procedures, tools, and internal risk systems so they remain aligned with KPMG Global and local obligations and reflect leading practices.
• Champion audit quality, risk management, and the firm’s independence processes and policies.
• Contribute technical alerts, reference materials, training content, and similar firmwide deliverables.
• Oversee team members handling independence requests and other assigned work.
• Run ad hoc and ongoing projects while spotting opportunities to improve processes.

Working Arrangements

At times, business demands may require employees to work beyond their usual day or week, and the role includes that expectation when needed. KPMG also recognizes the importance of flexibility and personal commitments.

What You Bring

• At least five years of client-facing experience in independence, audit, or risk management within a professional services firm or similar setting.
• A CPA or comparable risk-related professional qualification.
• Strong attention to detail, self-direction, diligence, and the ability to answer requests quickly and professionally.
• Well-developed research, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to apply frameworks to unfamiliar situations.
• A proactive mindset and strong organizational discipline.
• Experience handling complex questions, carrying out research, analyzing information, identifying issues, drawing conclusions, and documenting the basis for those conclusions.
• Excellent prioritization and time-management skills, plus the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong business writing and communication skills, with a focus on producing polished, high-quality work.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and dealing with senior leaders and difficult situations.
• Proven leadership and relationship-management ability, including coaching others, building trust, and delivering team outcomes.
• Capability to manage sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Written and spoken English fluency is required.

Language Requirement

The role requires strong written and verbal English skills. The selected candidate must collaborate with English-speaking colleagues across KPMG nationally and document risk management findings from English-speaking colleagues.

Pay and Rewards

The expected base salary range for this role in Ontario is $74,000 to $111,000, and the role may qualify for bonus awards. Final pay is based on location, skills, competencies, and overall qualifications. KPMG also provides a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package.

The same expected base salary range of $74,000 to $111,000 applies for the BC region, with possible bonus awards and the same total rewards package.

Values and Culture

KPMG’s values are Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Together, and For Better. The firm highlights a commitment to inclusion, respectful collaboration, and a barrier-free workplace where people can bring their full selves to work and grow to their potential.

Recruitment Adjustments and Accommodations

KPMG is committed to an inclusive hiring process and can provide adjustments or accommodations during recruitment. These may include extra preparation time, micro breaks during interviews, accessible communication supports, or technology aids, depending on individual needs and role requirements. Requests can be made at any stage of the process by contacting KPMG’s Employee Relations Service team at 1-888-466-4778.

AI Usage in Hiring

KPMG uses artificial intelligence to support candidate experience and improve recruitment efficiency, such as organizing applications or highlighting relevant qualifications. AI does not make hiring decisions; those decisions are made by hiring managers and recruitment professionals. Any AI used in the process is reviewed through risk assessments covering security and privacy requirements in line with KPMG’s Trusted AI framework. The firm states that technology should support human judgment rather than replace it.