Principal, National Tax, Professional Practice Group at Doane Grant Thornton LLP

Who We Are

You know those big cities that still feel like small towns? Where everyone’s friendly and helps each other out? That’s like Doane Grant Thornton. Except here we’re all professionals and there isn’t a mayor or a general store. What we’re trying to say is that we’re a large and growing professional services firm that still feels like a community. We employ about 3000 people across Canada, and we truly care about our colleagues, our clients and the communities where we work and live. That’s what’s most important to us. We’re building a thriving organization that’s purpose driven and still want to remember what your favourite milkshake flavour is.

Position Overview

As Principal, National Tax, you will be the trusted advisor on tax policy and risk management, guiding the firm to stay ahead of regulatory changes and safeguarding client confidence. This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on expertise, to ensure the highest standards of quality and compliance across Doane Grant Thornton. You will lead policy development, anticipate legislative changes, and provide expert guidance on complex tax matters. With firm-wide visibility and national influence, this is your opportunity to strengthen compliance and deliver exceptional value to our clients. If you are passionate about tax policy, risk management, and making an impact, this role is designed for you.

The Principal within National Tax will play a key role as part of the Firm’s Professional Practice Group, with responsibilities that include:

Supporting the tax practice and overall delivery of tax services by providing front-line support on risk management, quality, tax planning, compliance, and reporting matters through the application of professional standards and Firm policies.

Strategic Leadership & Policy Development

• Proactively identify improvements in tax policies and lead the development and rollout of significant policy changes.
• Consider the impact of new legislation, CRA guidance, and tax court cases on tax policies and risk management processes, ensuring appropriate tools and resources are in place to minimise risk.
• Provide input and recommendations from a risk perspective on new technologies being explored for tax service delivery.
• Chair the GAAR Committee, actively participate in internal tax committees, and represent the Firm on industry committees as needed.
  
  

Risk Management & Quality Assurance

• Assess areas of risk within the tax practice and develop risk management policies for recommendation to the National Tax Leader.
• Collaborate with the Professional Practice Group to develop and implement best practices for tax services from a quality and risk management perspective.
• Work with the General Counsel’s Office on various risk-related matters.
• Support the annual internal inspection process from a tax perspective, including updating tax-related procedures, serving as the Tax resource for the inspection team, and analysing results.
  
  

Technical Expertise & Advisory

• Provide timely, practical, solutions-oriented, technically sound, and objective advice on the application of professional standards and Firm policies for complex and high-risk tax matters.
• Support National Tax and engagement teams in high-risk tax areas as needed (example: mandatory disclosure rules, GAAR).
• Support National Tax in project-based initiatives.
  
  

Collaboration & Relationship Building

• Liaise with and serve as a resource for local business units, tax specialty service lines, and Risk Leaders as needed.
• Build relationships with principals, partners, and leadership to reinforce professional services quality and risk management at all levels.
• Work proactively with new offices and colleagues to ensure onboarding and compliance with tax policies.
  
  

Training & Development

• Proactively develop and deliver new and updated training related to tax policy and risk management.
  
  

Doane Grant Thornton

If you’re a bit like us, you’re driven to connect with how others are feeling and thinking. Here we walk in others shoes before taking action. Just imagine being part of a team that puts “we before me”, where flexAbility is a mindset, and where you trust your colleagues to have your back. At Doane Grant Thornton, you’ll work with inspiring leaders who support your development, both personally and professionally. This is a place where your insatiable curiosity enables you to think, see and hear from a variety of perspectives, a place where every day is different and having the courage to grow is part of who you are. And when all this comes together, well that’s when the magic happens!

Want to learn more about who we are and how we live our purple every day? Read our colleagues’ stories at www.discoveryourpurple.ca

Think you’ve got what it takes to be Principal, National Tax & Professional Practice Group [PPG]? Like the colour purple? Great. Here's a few more boxes we’re also hoping you can tick:

Education

• Completion of a Bachelor and/or Master’s degree in a related field: Accounting, Business, Economics, Finance, Law, or Taxation.
• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation and completion of CPA Canada’s In-Depth Tax Program.
  
  

Experience & Attributes

• 10+ years’ experience in public accounting or a related industry.
• Demonstrated experience in growing a practice and business development, with a focus on building relationships and anticipating client and market needs.
• Strong management and leadership skills, with the ability to actively contribute to the development of the national tax team.
• Commitment to quality, excellence, and continual professional growth for yourself and those you lead.
• Ability to develop solutions with clients and colleagues through collaborative effort and discussion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including exceptional interpersonal skills to earn trust, influence decision-makers, and build confidence at all levels.
• Desire to learn and grow and be an integral part of a team that puts “we before me”, embraces flexibility, and where there’s trust among colleagues.
  
  

At Doane Grant Thornton we’re focused on making a difference in the lives of our clients, our colleagues and our communities. That’s our purpose. Or, as we like to say, living our purple.

What's in it for you?

Profit sharing, Flex days, RRSP contributions, Firmwide holiday closure, Wellness benefits, Concierge-like benefits, Work from anywhere in Canada in the summer for 4 weeks, and more!

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?

Doane Grant Thornton is committed to employment equity, human rights and respectful workplace principles throughout the life cycle of employment, including at the recruitment and hiring stages. We welcome applications from members of all equity deserving groups, including persons with disabilities, women, racialized and/or Indigenous applicants. Should you require accommodation in relation to the recruitment process, please notify us by emailing and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs.