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Position Overview

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a member of the senior leadership team responsible for the operational, financial, technology, governance, and control framework supporting BMO Equipment Finance. The COO provides strategic and operational leadership across accounting, tax, pricing, business application development, technology infrastructure, internal controls, and business transformation initiatives.

This executive will ensure the integrity of the company's financial and operational processes, oversee regulatory and tax compliance, direct critical technology modernization efforts, and drive continuous process improvement across the organization. The COO serves as a key partner to the President and senior bank leaders in advancing business growth, operational excellence, risk management, and customer service.  

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead day-to-day operational functions supporting the equipment finance business.
• Establish operational priorities aligned with strategic business objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, scalability, service quality, and profitability.
• Evaluate existing workflows and implement process enhancements that improve performance and controls.

Financial Management and Controls

• Direct the Accounting Group and ensure compliance with U.S. and international GAAP requirements.
• Maintain a strong internal control environment and recommend enhancements where deficiencies are identified.
• Partner with Internal Audit and Finance leadership to support annual audits and remediation activities.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting and accounting operations
• Ensure pricing disciplines support profitability, return objectives, and risk-adjusted performance targets.

Tax Compliance and Governance

• Lead the Tax Group and ensure compliance with all applicable IRS, state, and local tax regulations.
• Oversee property tax reporting and filings across multiple jurisdictions.
• Manage relationships with external tax advisors to ensure ongoing compliance and risk mitigation.
• Monitor tax exposures and implement appropriate controls to protect the bank's interests.

Technology and Systems Leadership

• Oversee the development, maintenance, and enhancement of proprietary business applications.
• Lead teams responsible for application development, systems integration, and business technology support.
• Ensure compatibility between internally developed applications and core accounting systems.
• Provide executive oversight of the replacement and modernization of the equipment finance lease accounting platform.

Team Leadership and Talent Development

• Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams across accounting, tax, pricing, development, and technology functions.
• Assign resources to strategic projects and operational initiatives.
• Build a culture centered on accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with key stakeholders throughout BMO Financial Group, including Finance, Tax, Technology, Legal, Compliance, and Audit teams.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience within equipment finance, commercial finance, banking, leasing, or related financial services industries.
• Deep expertise in lease and loan accounting, pricing, financial controls, and operational management.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, IRS regulations, state and local tax compliance requirements, and internal control frameworks.
• Demonstrated success leading major system implementations and business transformation initiatives.
• Experience managing accounting, tax, technology, pricing, and operational teams.
• Proven ability to work effectively with executive leadership, regulators, auditors, and external service providers.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA, CMA, CIA, or comparable professional designation.
• MBA or graduate degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business.
• Experience serving on a corporate board or subsidiary governance committee.

Success Measures

The COO will be evaluated on:

• Effectiveness of accounting and internal control environments.
• Successful completion of internal and external audit requirements.
• On-time and accurate tax filings with no material compliance issues.
• Pricing effectiveness and transaction turnaround times.
• Successful modernization of the lease accounting platform.
• Delivery and stability of internally developed applications.
• Operational efficiency improvements and workflow enhancements.
• Timely approval and governance of payments and technology requests.
• Customer issue resolution and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Employee engagement, team development, and project execution.
• Effective governance participation and enterprise relationship management.

This position combines traditional COO responsibilities with executive accountability for finance, technology, tax, systems transformation, governance, and business operations, making it one of the most strategically important leadership roles within BMO Equipment Finance.

Salary:

Pay Type:

The above represents BMO Financial Group’s pay range and type.

Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. Salaries for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position.

BMO Financial Group’s total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.bmo.com/global/en/Total-Rewards

About Us

At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world.

As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact.  We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers.  We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset.

To find out more visit us at http://jobs.bmo.com/us/en

BMO is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other legally protected characteristics. We also consider applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.

BMO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to BMOCareers.Support@bmo.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Note to Recruiters: BMO does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to BMO, directly or indirectly, will be considered BMO property. BMO will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. A recruiting agency must first have a valid, written and fully executed agency agreement contract for service to submit resumes.