Payroll & Accounting Specialist

Tailor Your Resume for this Job

Job Summary

Payroll & Accounting Specialist

Type: Full-time (35 hours a week)

Department: Finance & Administration

Reports to: Finance & Payroll Manager

Starting Date: Spring 2026

Salary: $48,000 to $52,000 - commensurate with experience.

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) is a dynamic force serving Manitobans with excellent musical opportunities and experiences. The WSO produces more than 60 events and concerts per year. The WSO actively engages in program development, education and outreach, major concert series, and the Winnipeg new Music Festival with the objective of delivering artistically excellent symphonic music. The WSO operates with a staff of approximately 60 musicians and 24 full-time and part-time administrative and production personnel. It is a non-profit organization with a Board of Directors.

Position:

As a small and dynamic organization, this role is broad in scope and requires a self-starter who is detail oriented and thrives in a multi-faceted environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for the accurate and timely processing of union payroll, accounts payable and receivable, bookkeeping, and general accounting support. This position reports directly to the Finance & Payroll Manager and plays a critical role in supporting the financial health of the organization.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Payroll Administration

1. Process full-cycle, bi-weekly payroll for 100-150 unionized and non-unionized employees in compliance with applicable collective agreements, legislation, and organizational policies, ensuring accuracy and timeliness on all payroll runs.

2. Calculate and remit statutory deductions including CPP, EI, income tax, union dues, and other withholdings.

3. Support the implementation and optimization of a new payroll system, including system setup, testing, and process documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance.

4. Prepare Records of Employment (ROEs), T4s, and other required payroll reporting.

5. Respond to employee inquiries regarding pay, deductions, and related matters in a professional and timely manner.

Accounts Payable & Receivable & General Accounting

1. Process and code vendor invoices, employee expense claims, and purchase orders accurately and in a timely manner.

2. Process and record all incoming revenue, including donations, pledges, capital campaign contributions, and other contributed and earned income streams.

3. Generate and issue gift acknowledgements, tax receipts, invoices, and other revenue-related documentation in accordance with CRA requirements and organizational policy.

4. Perform regular reconciliation of accounts receivable and accounts payable subledgers against the general ledger, identifying and resolving discrepancies.

5. Maintain accurate general ledger entries and perform month-end and year-end journal entries.

6. Support other accounting and administrative functions as required in a small team environment.

7. Manage a split workload between project activities and WSO responsibilities, ensuring deadlines and operational needs are consistently met.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Minimum 2 years of experience processing union payroll, with a strong working knowledge of collective agreements and labour legislation.

2. Knowledge of Canadian payroll laws, employment standards.

3. Proven bookkeeping experience with solid understanding of accounting principles (GAAP)

4. Experienced with payroll software, Avanti preferred.

5. Proficiency with Sage 300 accounting software is preferred.

6. Experience with Tessitura or comparable CRM/revenue management systems is a strong asset.

6. High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint) and intermediate Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP).

7. Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.

8. Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

9. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.

11. Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) designation or equivalent or actively working toward certification preferred.

12. Experience of working in a small or not-for-profit organization preferred.

WHY WORK AT THE WSO: Full-time (FT) Employees start with three weeks of vacation, giving you the flexibility to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance, and after three (3) months of employment, FT employees enjoy a comprehensive group benefits plan including extended health and dental coverage, and an RRSP matching program of up to 6%, so you can focus on what matters most and build long-term financial security. Lastly, as a unique perk, you’ll have the opportunity to experience incredible live music and take in amazing concerts, making this not just a job, but a truly engaging and rewarding place to work.

TO APPLY

Please submit your resume to careers@wso.mb.ca no later than Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The WSO welcomes all qualified applicants and highly values inclusion, diversity, and equity. Disability accommodation is available upon request.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $48,000.00-$52,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Paid time off
• RRSP match

Work Location: In person