W&U Careers
Build the life you want with the support you need.
Small town values. Downtown expertise.
Join one of the largest independent professional services firms in Ontario and create both the life and career you have always wanted. Foster your interests and grow your expertise through our vast support network of professionals.
I had roles in bookkeeping and tax departments before I was approached for an internal finance role. The firm essentially career-counseled me to help me find the best fit for my interests and strengths.
Julia Husnik
Senior Internal Finance Accountant
I wanted a firm I could commit to and build a career. Ward & Uptigrove is growing and there is room to advance at my pace. I’ve had opportunities to shape the firm’s paperless environment, improve processes and build client relationships.
Garrett Topic, CPA, CA
Partner
The firm gave me opportunities to take on more and progress as I became ready. I can adapt my work hours to suit my schedule while staying involved in my kids’ hockey and dance activities.
Sharlene Dowdall, CPA, CGA
Accounting Manager
Be part of a firm where you can expect:
Balance
Realize your full potential without sacrificing personal and family life balance. You’ll have reasonable core hours, allowing you to make your schedule work for you.
Tax season is busy, but results in an abundance of time off and flex days from July – December. Make the most out of summer and time with friends and family, all while building a strong career.
Professional Development
Feel supported on your path to achieving your designation at our CPA training facility.
You’ll be challenged with a broad range of tasks and receive ongoing development through experience, mentoring and formal education.
Opportunity
Your goals aren’t too big for us. No matter where you start, there are opportunities to grow at every level – right up to Partner if that’s where your ambitions take you.
We also provide clear progression guides that show the different paths available, so you can explore your options and plan your journey at your own pace.
Compensation
Your expertise is valued. Enjoy a highly competitive compensation package, including flexible health benefits to fit your lifestyle, RRSP matching, overtime pay, an abundance of time off and a generous profit share plan.
Other compensation perks include free financial planning services through our Wealth Management division, and reduced management fees on investments.
Lifestyle
You can enjoy small town, affordable living or an easy drive from Waterloo. Hybrid work options also exist for the right candidate.
Listowel and the surrounding areas are growing. It’s a great time to take advantage of affordable housing, where kids have room to run and play, and you can become friends with your neighbour.
Quality education and healthcare exist in town, and in the nearby cities of Waterloo and Guelph. Build a life of flexibility that you can actually enjoy.
Social
You’ll have the chance to experience our “Work Hard, Play Hard” mantra. Our team enjoys several company social events throughout the year, team lunches and lots of treats during tax season, too.
Golf outings, family skates, baseball day, and an end of season tax celebrations are just some of the group activities you can look forward to, because we actually enjoy each other’s company.
Core Values
We are the premier professional services firm caring for, and building deep connections, with our clients and staff in rural southern Ontario and beyond.
We aspire to be a firm where:
- 65+ years of practice innovation continues to thrive
- people are valued and cared for
- small town values actually exist
- trust and respect are fundamental
- partners, principals and staff talk, and listen
- clients entrust us, and seek our advice, on their most important business decisions
- effective communication is essential to our success
- hard work pays off
Culture
Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere where you will always have support the support you need. At W&U Partners, Principals, Managers and HR foster an open and supportive environment. Whether you’re asking questions, seeking advice, or simply getting to know the team, these connections help create relationships that can support you throughout your career and life.
Don’t see a position that suits you? Or maybe you’re not quite ready to make that change. Join our talent community to be kept in the loop about openings that may interest you.
“Effective communication is essential.”
“Throughout my career at Ward & Uptigrove, Partners have truly cared. I was supported and given constructive criticism that helped me progress. My mentors were great examples.
I’ve been able to adapt and adjust my schedule to be actively involved in my kids’ life, even hockey in tax season, while meeting client deadlines and hours expectations.”
Brendan Magee, CPA, CA
Partner
“Small town values actually exist.”
“I chose Ward & Uptigrove and Listowel to build the career and family life I wanted. With the firm’s size and values, I was able to progress in my career and build a family life.
I lived in Toronto and then moved to Listowel. I can now walk to work! I enjoy being a part of a neighborhood where my kids can play with friends on the street and have space outside to run. I am able to set boundaries so I have work/life balance all year.”
Jennifer McArthur, CPA, CA
Partner
Whether you are looking for a lifestyle change, or just starting on your career path, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Ward & Uptigrove. Opportunities exist in many areas of the business, and there is always room to grow.