Senior Accountant (Live Events)

Powered by Passion. United by Purpose. Build for Impact. 

At Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Partnership (MLSE), we exist to deliver the ultimate fan experience by lifting trophies, spirits, and communities – united as one. 

We're more than a workplace. We are a team of passionate people, boldly building the future of sport and entertainment, together. We believe in the power of play, the strength of collaboration, and the energy that comes from showing up with purpose. 

From the ice to the pitch, the hardwood to the digital arena, we’re proud to be the driving force behind the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), the Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto FC (MLS), Toronto Argonauts (CFL) and development teams with the Toronto Marlies (AHL), Raptors 905 (NBA G League), Toronto FC II (MLS NEXT Pro League) and Raptors Uprising Gaming Club, the Toronto Raptors Esports franchise in the NBA 2K League.  

We bring these teams – and world-class entertainment – to life at our iconic venues, including Scotiabank Arena, BMO Field, Coca-Cola Coliseum, Ford Performance Centre, BMO Training Ground, and OVO Athletic Centre. Off the field, we serve up elevated dining at e11even, Real Sports, and our signature club spaces like Hot Stove Club, ScotiaClub, and Platinum Club. 

Through MLSE Foundation and MLSE LaunchPad, we use the power of sport to help youth facing barriers reach their full potential. Since 2009, we’ve invested more than $45 million into Ontario communities -- and we’re just getting started.  

This is what it means to be One MLSE: a culture where everyone plays a role, everyone belongs, and everyone contributes to something bigger than themselves. 

So, if you're ready to play with purpose, grow with passion, and win as one, we’d love to have you on our team. 

** We know that great candidates come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Even if you do not meet every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply. Your unique perspective, transferable skills, and lived experience may be exactly what we’re looking for. **

Job Description

As the Senior Accountant Live, you will play a key role in the financial management of one of MLSE's most exciting and fast-paced business areas. Supporting concerts and live entertainment events across our venues, you will combine strong technical accounting expertise with commercial curiosity to ensure complex event-related financial activity is accurately recorded, analyzed, and reported.

Working closely with MLSE's Live Events team, Finance, FP&A, and other cross-functional partners, you will develop a strong understanding of event economics, contractual arrangements, revenue streams, and operating costs. You will help translate the financial complexities of live entertainment into accurate accounting, meaningful reporting, and actionable insights that support business decisions.

Beyond traditional accounting responsibilities, including month-end close, journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and financial reporting, this role places particular emphasis on event settlements, revenue and expense recognition, financial analysis, internal controls, and business partnership. You will take ownership of complex accounting activities, proactively identify opportunities for improvement, and contribute to the financial success of MLSE's live entertainment business.

Please note that due to changing business priorities, learning opportunities, or operational requirements, the client group supported may evolve or change; however, the core responsibilities of the position will remain consistent.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead key accounting activities supporting Live Events, including month-end close, journal entries, accruals, revenue and expense recognition, balance sheet reconciliations, and supporting financial schedules.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of MLSE's live entertainment operations, including concerts, venue agreements, event settlements, ticketing arrangements, and the financial drivers influencing event profitability.
• Oversee the accounting and reconciliation of event settlements, ensuring revenues, expenses, contractual obligations, and amounts payable or receivable are accurately recorded and appropriately supported.
• Review and interpret financial and contractual arrangements with event partners to ensure appropriate accounting treatment, revenue recognition, expense allocation, and financial reporting.
• Analyze monthly financial results and event-level performance, identifying trends, variances, risks and opportunities.
• Prepare and enhance monthly financial reporting, providing meaningful commentary that connects financial results to event activity, venue costs, contractual arrangements, and other key operating drivers.
• Serve as a trusted Finance partner to the Live Events leadership team and other business stakeholders, providing accounting guidance and financial insights on departmental operations.
• Maintain strong balance sheet governance, proactively reviewing and resolving outstanding balances, aged items, accruals, deferred revenue, and other event-related financial obligations.
• Strengthen financial controls and processes surrounding event settlements, revenue recognition, expense allocation, reconciliations, and financial reporting, identifying opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, transparency, and scalability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, FP&A, Live Events, Ticketing, Venue Operations, Legal, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and other stakeholders to resolve financial matters and ensure appropriate accounting treatment.
• Support quarterly and year-end financial reporting and audit requirements, including the preparation of supporting documentation, reconciliation schedules, and responses to internal and external audit inquiries.
• Leverage Excel, Oracle Cloud ERP, and other financial and operational systems to enhance reporting, streamline reconciliations, automate processes, and improve the quality and efficiency of financial information.
• Provide accounting guidance and support to other Finance team members, sharing technical knowledge, reviewing financial information, and contributing to consistent accounting practices and continuous improvement.
• Participate in special projects and strategic initiatives, bringing a strong accounting and financial perspective to evolving business needs and opportunities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the needs of the department.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Completion of a post-secondary degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline.
• A recognized professional accounting designation (CPA) is preferred; candidates actively pursuing their CPA with strong relevant experience will also be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including demonstrated responsibility for month-end close, complex reconciliations, financial reporting, and financial analysis.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including revenue recognition, expense recognition, accruals, deferred revenue, balance sheet accounting, and interpretation of contractual arrangements.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex accounting activities, exercise sound professional judgment, identify financial risks, and resolve accounting discrepancies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret financial results, understand underlying business drivers, and translate complex financial information into meaningful insights.
• Experience reviewing commercial agreements and applying accounting principles to contractual arrangements, revenue-sharing structures, or other complex business transactions.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet strict deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced, event-driven environment.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with operational leaders, external business partners, and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain financial concepts and accounting matters to non-finance stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including experience working with large datasets, complex reconciliations, and financial analysis.
• Experience with enterprise accounting and reporting systems, such as Oracle Cloud ERP, is considered an asset.
• Understanding of intercompany accounting, complex organizational structures, and financial reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated initiative, accountability, and ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team.
• Previous experience in live entertainment, concert promotion, event accounting, venue operations, hospitality, sports, or entertainment is considered a strong asset.
• Experience with event settlements, ticketing systems, revenue-sharing agreements or other event-related financial arrangements is considered an asset.

Job Posting Compensation Range/Rate:

$80,000 - 88,000 annual base

Bonus, vacation, competitive benefits, and many exciting perks are also included. 

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At MLSE, we are committed to building an equitable, diverse and inclusive organization. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. MLSE will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in the job application process. If you have difficulty using our online application system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email accommodations@mlse.com. This email is only for accommodation requests. Resumes sent to this email address will not be considered.