March 24, 2024

Co-op Staff Accountant – 2026 Winter Term (January 2026 – April 2026)

Written by McCay Duff LLP
An image of some young accounting students in a classroom setting.

Co-op Staff Accountant

2026 Winter Term (January 2026 – April 2026)

Full Time Paid Contract

Hybrid Work Schedule

Ottawa

 

Job Description

At McCay Duff LLP, you can have a rewarding and exciting co-op placement (or term). We understand that a career in accounting is about far more than numbers; it is about dreams, the journey and achieving long-term personal success. So start by taking your co-op journey with us. Our opportunity allows you to immerse yourself in the world of public accounting by giving you maximum exposure and insight into our many clients and services. Join us for an invaluable hands-on experience to thrive in a medium-sized public accounting firm and start putting your learning into practice. We will give you responsibility from the beginning and support you along the way.

At McCay Duff LLP, we recognize that our staff are our greatest assets and take pride in the opportunity we offer to students seeking to complete a co-op during their undergraduate studies. The feedback from many previous co-op students is that they found four months with us invaluable for the range of work they were exposed to and how it solidified the material from their university courses.

We know that you are the accountants of the future and therefore want you to be challenged and have real meaningful work during the first stages of navigating your future career. Not only will you be using your practical technical skills, but the experience you gain with us will also develop your professional conduct, problem-solving skills, self-management, and communication with clients, colleagues, and classmates.

 

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A REWARDING CO-OP OPPORTUNITY, WE WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU!

The Opportunity

Over the four months of your co-op term, you will gain relevant practical experience in our primary public accounting services of audit and accountancy work and learn how they complement each other. You will also be introduced to many major competencies related to the CPA designation process.

The term will begin with an orientation to acquaint you with our firm, policies and procedures, a tour to navigate our working environment, and software training on the firm’s systems necessary to prepare a file from start to finish through case studies. Once you have completed the onboarding items, you will shadow a senior member of the team which will help you connect your studies and training to our client files, ultimately transitioning into working through your own assigned client files. Over your internship, there will be numerous opportunities to assist senior staff and work independently on assurance engagements, working papers, and corresponding financial statements for a breadth of small and medium-sized clients across different industries. You will also be exposed to preparing corporate and personal income tax returns as you work through your first busy season with us.

Depending on the size and nature of the engagement, the student will report to a senior staff member or manager and in some instances the partner in charge. The level of complexity of assignments will depend on the student’s abilities.

Training and Development

Technical learning never stops, with additional technical training offered as you progress to more complex files to grow and develop your accounting skills. After each engagement, you will receive feedback from the manager on the file in the form of review notes, so you will learn quickly and apply your new knowledge to the following file.

Above and beyond your initial onboarding systems training, the office hosts regular internal training seminars and lunch-and-learn sessions that you are encouraged and expected to participate in to grow and develop your accounting skills during your co-op term.

Mentorship

You will be assigned a mentor who will be accessible and committed to your professional and personal development during your internship. Your mentor will provide you with coaching, support, and guidance to develop the essential enabling and technical competencies that will form the foundation of your CPA journey. We ask you to take an active and practical role in your assigned engagements fostering plenty of individual responsibility on the files you work on.

Key Aspects

  • Perform technical work remotely, in the office or in the field on assigned engagements under supervision;
  • Provide support on sections of assurance engagements;
  • Assume responsibility for the completion and accuracy of own work and working papers;
  • Become familiar with support systems including tax, computer systems, firm policies, and standards;
  • Gain practical experience hours in a public accounting firm towards your CPA designation;
  • Develop personal skills to effectively communicate with diverse group of peers, supervisors, and clients.
  • Training and instruction on the use of;
    • CaseWare (software specialized for the preparation and documentation of working paper files)
    • TaxPrep (tax return preparation software).
    • iFirm (workflow and client management system)

Compensation, Benefits & Social

Our compensation and employee benefits are at the top of the market. We are continually reviewing our policies to ensure this.

Our office enjoys a friendly and social atmosphere with the help of our social committee, and our co-op students are a massive part of that. We know how hard our staff work, so we make sure there are lots of food and fun events throughout the year to gather us and have some laughs together (think workout Wednesday, thirsty Thursdays, office mini putt, archery tag, scavenger hunts, Pizza lunches and an end of busy season party to name a few).

What We Look For

  • Strong communication skills, as there will be interaction with partners, staff, and clients;
  • Understanding of the accounting cycle and basic accounting principles;
  • Passion and enthusiasm to work in public accounting;
  • Ability to meet individual goals and objectives for career development;
  • The position is a hybrid work schedule role based in our office at Lansdowne Park.
  • Role requires some travel to client premises from time to time.

Language Requirements

Applicants must show the ability to communicate effectively in English and demonstrate their knowledge and fluency in both verbal and written communication. Proficiency in any additional languages may be beneficial and considered an asset. However, proficiency in English is the most critical language requirement for this position.

Application Process

If you are interested in a rewarding co-op opportunity with our firm, please apply via the Carleton or uOttawa university recruitment portals or by e-mail with subject-heading “Co-op Winter Term – Staff Accountant” to careers@mccayduff.com and address your application to Ms. Krista Mason, Human Resources Generalist.  A cover letter may be provided should you wish to do so, or you may do so in your accompanying email.

We thank all applicants for their interest in McCay Duff LLP; however, only candidates selected for an interview will hear from us.

We wish you the best of success with your chosen firm.

McCay Duff LLP

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McCay Duff LLP is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, or disability.

McCay Duff LLP welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please indicate this in your application.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and McCay Duff LLP’s Policies on Accommodation, McCay Duff LLP provides reasonable accommodation so that qualified applicants with a disability may participate in the selection process.