BOOKKEEPER – CLIENT ACCOUNTING & FILE REVIEW

Fortress Accounting and Tax Services

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time

ABOUT FORTRESS ACCOUNTING AND TAX SERVICES

Fortress Accounting and Tax Services is a professional accounting and tax firm serving individuals, professionals, small businesses, corporations, and other organizations.

We provide a wide range of accounting, bookkeeping, and tax services and work closely with our clients to maintain accurate financial records and support their ongoing accounting and compliance requirements.

We are currently seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Bookkeeper to join our Winnipeg team. The successful candidate will be responsible for setting up and maintaining client files, performing day-to-day and monthly bookkeeping, communicating directly with clients, reviewing accounting records, identifying discrepancies, and ensuring files are complete and properly organized.

This position is best suited for an individual who has practical bookkeeping experience and understands that working in a professional accounting firm requires more than simply entering transactions. The successful candidate will be expected to take ownership of client files, understand the client's business, review the quality of the bookkeeping, communicate with clients, and ensure the file is ready for further accounting and tax work.

POSITION SUMMARY The Bookkeeper will be responsible for managing bookkeeping assignments for a portfolio of clients from initial file setup through ongoing bookkeeping and year-end preparation.

The position involves working directly with clients and internal accounting staff to obtain required information, maintain accurate accounting records, resolve bookkeeping issues, review files, and ensure that all necessary documentation is available.

The successful candidate must be comfortable working independently, managing multiple client files, meeting deadlines, and identifying issues without requiring constant supervision.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES1. CLIENT FILE CREATION & SETUP

- Create and set up new client accounting files in accordance with the firm's internal procedures.
- Review new client information and understand the client's business activities and accounting requirements.
- Set up clients in accounting and file-management systems.
- Establish and maintain an appropriate chart of accounts based on the nature and operations of the client's business.
- Set up bank accounts, credit cards, loans, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounts, and other relevant accounting records.
- Review prior-year accounting records and opening balances when taking over an existing client.
- Identify missing or incomplete information required to properly establish the client file.
- Communicate with clients to obtain required documents and clarification.
- Ensure client files are properly organized before ongoing bookkeeping begins.
- Maintain consistent file organization so that accountants, tax preparers, managers, and other team members can easily review the file.

1. DAY-TO-DAY & MONTHLY BOOKKEEPING

- Record and categorize financial transactions accurately and consistently.
- Enter sales, purchases, expenses, deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and other business transactions.
- Perform bank reconciliations on a regular basis.
- Perform credit card reconciliations and investigate outstanding items.
- Record and reconcile accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions.
- Enter and maintain supplier invoices and customer invoices.
- Monitor outstanding receivables and payables.
- Record payroll transactions and related accounts where required.
- Maintain GST/HST and other applicable tax-related accounts.
- Review transactions for appropriate account classification and supporting documentation.
- Complete monthly bookkeeping for assigned clients within established deadlines.
- Maintain bookkeeping records in accordance with applicable accounting and tax requirements.

1. CLIENT COMMUNICATION





- Communicate directly with clients regarding their bookkeeping and accounting requirements.
- Request missing bank statements, credit card statements, invoices, receipts, payroll information, and other supporting documents.
- Follow up with clients regarding outstanding information and unresolved accounting matters.
- Respond professionally to client questions and bookkeeping-related inquiries.
- Explain accounting and bookkeeping requirements to clients in a clear and professional manner.
- Identify information that appears inconsistent or incomplete and obtain clarification from the client.
- Maintain professional and positive relationships with clients.
- Document important client communications, outstanding items, and follow-up requirements.
- Escalate complex accounting or tax matters to the appropriate manager or senior accountant.

1. FILE REVIEW & QUALITY CONTROL

A major responsibility of this position will be reviewing bookkeeping files to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Review completed bookkeeping files for accuracy and consistency.
- Review bank and credit card reconciliations.
- Investigate unreconciled balances and outstanding transactions.
- Review general ledger accounts for unusual, duplicate, or incorrectly categorized transactions.
- Identify missing transactions and supporting documentation.
- Review accounts payable and accounts receivable balances.
- Review GST/HST and other applicable accounts.
- Review financial statements for unusual balances or discrepancies.
- Identify bookkeeping errors and make appropriate corrections.
- Ensure transactions are recorded in the correct accounting period and account.
- Review files before they are forwarded for year-end accounting and tax preparation.
- Ensure client files contain sufficient supporting documentation.
- Communicate identified issues to clients or the appropriate internal team member.
- Ensure files meet the firm's internal quality and documentation standards.

1. FINANCIAL REPORTING

- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports as required.
- Prepare and review profit and loss statements and balance sheets.
- Generate general ledger, trial balance, and other accounting reports.
- Review financial reports for unusual fluctuations or inconsistencies.
- Assist senior accounting staff with year-end working papers and financial statement preparation.
- Prepare customized financial reports based on client requirements.
- Provide financial information to clients in a professional and understandable manner.

1. YEAR-END & TAX SEASON SUPPORT

- Ensure client bookkeeping files are properly maintained throughout the year.
- Prepare files for year-end accounting and tax preparation.
- Ensure bank, credit card, loan, payroll, GST/HST, and other relevant accounts are reconciled.
- Identify outstanding bookkeeping issues before year-end.
- Organize supporting documentation required by the accounting and tax team.
- Respond to questions from accountants and tax preparers regarding bookkeeping records.
- Make required bookkeeping adjustments under appropriate supervision.
- Assist with additional bookkeeping and accounting requirements during busy periods.

1. SOFTWARE & TECHNOLOGY

- Work efficiently with accounting software such as QuickBooks Online/Desktop and other accounting platforms.
- Use Microsoft Excel for accounting analysis, reconciliations, and reporting.
- Maintain accurate electronic client records.
- Use the firm's internal systems for task management, document management, client communication, and file tracking.
- Learn and adapt to new accounting software and technology as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE The successful candidate should have practical,



hands-on bookkeeping experience, preferably in an accounting firm or professional services environment.

Required

- Minimum 2 years of bookkeeping or accounting experience preferred.
- Experience creating, setting up, and maintaining client accounting files.
- Experience working with multiple client files.
- Experience communicating directly with clients.
- Experience reviewing bookkeeping files for accuracy and completeness.
- Strong understanding of bookkeeping and accounting principles.
- Experience performing bank and credit card reconciliations.
- Experience with accounts payable and accounts receivable.
- Experience preparing and reviewing financial reports.
- Experience with QuickBooks Online/Desktop or similar accounting software.
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to independently manage multiple client files and deadlines.

Considered an Asset:
- Previous experience working in a public accounting firm.
- Accounting diploma, certificate, or related post-secondary education.
- Bookkeeping certification.
- Experience with corporate bookkeeping.
- Experience with professional corporations and small businesses.
- Experience assisting with year-end accounting and tax preparation.
- Experience with payroll and GST/HST filings.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES We are looking for a professional who demonstrates:
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent organizational skills
- Client service orientation
- Strong accounting knowledge
- Problem-solving ability
- Professional communication
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to manage multiple priorities
- Strong follow-up skills
- Reliability and accountability
- Ability to identify errors and inconsistencies
- Commitment to confidentiality
- Professional judgment and discretion

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE The successful candidate will be able to independently manage assigned client files and ensure that they remain accurate, organized, and up to date. You should be able to:

Create the file → Understand the client's business → Set up the accounting records → Complete the bookkeeping → Communicate with the client → Review the file → Identify and correct issues → Prepare the file for year-end.

We are looking for someone who does not simply wait for instructions when an issue is identified. The successful candidate should be able to recognize problems, investigate them, communicate with the client when necessary, and take appropriate action or escalate the matter when required.

CONFIDENTIALITY & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

This position involves access to confidential financial, personal, payroll, business, and tax information. The successful candidate must maintain strict confidentiality and exercise professionalism and discretion when handling client information.

All client records and information must be handled in accordance with company policies and applicable privacy and confidentiality requirements.

WORK LOCATION

This is a full-time, on-site position. Employees may be required to work at either of our Winnipeg office locations based on business and operational requirements.

Waverley West Office

5 Scurfield Blvd., Unit 10A

Winnipeg, MB R3Y 1G3

West Kildonan Office

1021 Court Ave., Unit 209

Winnipeg, MB R2P 1V7

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Position: Bookkeeper – Client Accounting & File Review

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Arrangement: On-Site

This is an excellent prospect for an experienced bookkeeper who wants to work in a qualified accounting environment, manage client files, communicate directly with clients, and take on meaningful responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of accounting records.

Company Website: Fortress Accounting and Tax Services

Fortress Accounting and Tax Services is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Work Location: In person

📌 BOOKKEEPER – CLIENT ACCOUNTING & FILE REVIEW (Winnipeg)
🏢 FORTRESS ACCOUNTING AND TAX SERVICES
📍 Winnipeg