Senior Advisor, Financial Advisory Services
About The Position
VIA Rail is undertaking significant projects to modernize its services and infrastructure, including a new train fleet and ongoing infrastructure improvements, aiming to build the future of transportation in Canada. Working at VIA Rail means contributing to sustainable mobility. The Senior Advisor, Financial Advisory Services and Management is responsible for producing, analyzing, and monitoring the company's operational results, which involve annual revenues exceeding $500 million and operating expenses of nearly $800 million. This role involves leading a team of approximately 3 to 4 analysts across Canada who act as business advisors to various company groups, assisting them in monitoring their financial performance. Responsibilities include preparing financial results, accounting activities, analysis, and validation of variances against budgets and the previous year. The incumbent also provides support and advice on financial and governance matters to ensure compliance with company business rules and procedures. In this capacity, the individual analyzes the company's financial performance and ensures consistent application and maintenance of established internal controls. Additionally, in collaboration with operational groups, the role provides financial support to the Commercial team.
Requirements
- Recognized accounting designation (CPA).
- Minimum of 5 years of experience managing a finance team.
- Knowledge and understanding of the transportation industry.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and rigor.
- Excellent analytical abilities.
- Flexibility and resourcefulness to deliver results under tight deadlines.
- Challenges the status quo and demonstrates a continuous improvement mindset.
- Strong leadership capabilities.
- Proven ability to explain complex situations and issues clearly and concisely.
- Excellent political acumen and interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with stakeholders across different business groups.
- Strong strategic vision.
- Proven ability to engage, motivate, and mobilize employees.
- Strong sense of urgency.
- Strong interpersonal skills and resilience.
Responsibilities
- Lead the team that serves as the primary financial experts (approximately 3 to 4 employees) assigned to the various operational groups. They provide analysis, interpretation, and monitoring of financial results while maintaining a customer-focused approach.
- Lead the preparation of all financial reports required for decision-making, achievement of financial objectives, and adherence to budget constraints across the company's departments. Oversee the preparation of financial reports and analyses required by the management committee and the Board of Directors regarding actual financial results.
- Act as the primary financial resource for the Commercial group and ensure that its activities are properly accounted for in financial reports by train service.
- Analyze and document existing financial processes by identifying inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and automation opportunities. Recommend preventive actions or controls while ensuring continuous improvement of financial processes.
- Ensure that all process changes are properly documented and coordinate testing activities with end users.
- Ensure compliance with internal financial policies and external regulations when implementing process changes or improvement initiatives.
- Participate in the budgeting process to validate budgeting assumptions based on actual results and trends.
- Collaborate closely with the Strategic Planning group to validate the achievement of continuous improvement objectives.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
