Our commitment to helping Canadian businesses thrive.
At Doane Grant Thornton, human connection is at the heart of everything we do, a place where great people come together to help our clients, colleagues, and communities thrive. We bring together the strength of a global network and an 85-year Canadian legacy, and as one of Canada’s best workplaces for 19 consecutive years, we take pride in being purpose-driven. We employ over 3,000 professionals across the country, delivering trusted assurance, tax, and advisory services centered on strong relationships, practical insight, and deep understanding of business, while making a meaningful impact in the communities where we live and work. As we continue to grow, we remain a collaborative team where people genuinely care. We’re building a thriving organization that’s purpose driven and still want to remember what your favourite milkshake flavour is.
Position Overview
You have earned a strong reputation as a trusted advisor, delivering exceptional work and guidance that clients rely on. Now imagine expanding that impact across Calgary and Southern Alberta’s mid-market, owner-led business community, backed by the scale, resources, and collaboration of a high-performing team.
Come build something great with us as our next Principal, Assurance, Privately Held Business Group.
This is a senior leadership opportunity where you will apply your assurance expertise to help privately held business clients navigate complexity, strengthen financial confidence, and make informed decisions to move their businesses forward.
With the support of a collaborative team, you will have the opportunity to expand your influence across clients, people, and a growing Assurance practice, without the traditional partnership path. Your perspective will help guide decisions, and cultivate a team environment centered on teamwork, shared success, and long-term impact.
As a Principal at Doane Grant Thornton, you will be responsible for:
Leadership
- Help champion the client experience, direction, and long-term success of our Private Company Practice, as an integral member of the broader Assurance leadership team in Alberta Business Unit.
- Lead assurance delivery for clients, providing high quality, timely and practical compilations and review services, while working collaboratively with Tax to support integrated tax planning strategies.
- Collaborate with Partners and leadership teams to align on priorities and deliver integrated solutions
- Contribute to a culture where people can do their best work. As Principal, you will lead by example, coaching, mentoring, and supporting others as they grow and reach their professional aspirations.
Client Service Experience
- Deliver a personalized, client-focused experience to privately held and owner-managed businesses
- Act as a trusted advisor, providing insight on financial reporting, risk, tax planning, and emerging issues while maintaining independence and strong technical standards
- Support clients through growth and changing financial conditions, offering practical advice unique to their business needs
- Help clients make confident, well-informed decisions on complex business challenges, supporting their ability to grow and adapt
- Build and maintain strong, long-term client relationships across a range of industries
Growth
- Champion the ongoing growth and development of the Assurance practice by identifying opportunities to better serve clients, translating evolving needs into broader firm solutions, and aligning the right capabilities to support their business challenges
- Build and strengthen client relationships by understanding client needs connecting them to the right services across Assurance, Tax, and Advisory
- Lead cross-functional collaboration by bringing together the right expertise across the firm to deliver seamless, integrated, client-focused solutions
People
- Lead, coach, and mentor a high-performing team, supporting development at all levels
- Cultivate an inclusive environment where people can perform at their best
- Support performance management, including feedback, reviews, and career development
- Encourage a culture of continuous learning, accountability, and shared success
- Lead by example, bringing our values to life, guiding and supporting others as they grow into future leaders
Key Requirements
Education
- A University Degree (preferably business) and a formal Chartered Professional Accountant (CA, CGA or CMA) and public accounting license is required. (consideration will be given to having met the requirements to obtain the license upon application).
Experience and Attributes
- 7 to 10+ years of Assurance experience in a Canadian professional services firm, leading and conducting complex accounting and audits.
- Demonstrated experience growing a practice and business development which focuses on development of relationships and actively anticipating client and market needs.
- Strong management and leadership skills with the ability to be an active participant in the development of the Assurance team
- Develop solutions with clients and co-workers through collaborative effort and discussion
- Commitment to quality, excellence, and continual professional growth for yourself and for those you lead
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including exceptional interpersonal skills, to earn the trust and confidence of clients and colleagues at all levels and influence decision-makers
- Desire to learn and grow, and be an integral part of a team that puts “we before me”, where agility is a mindset, and where you trust your colleagues to have your back
- And just a little bit of “purple”, you bring energy and curiosity to your work. You know that great teams don’t just perform well, they enjoy the journey together.
Our special culture shines through when we have the opportunity to connect in person. That’s why we’re working in a model where teams are required to be together in the office 4 days per week.
Are you ready to Discover Your Purple?
Connect with Franca Salvador to schedule a confidential conversation.
