Job Description

At CN, everyday brings new and exciting challenges. You can expect an interesting environment where you\'re part of making sure our business is running optimally and safely-helping keep the economy on track. We provide the kind of paid training and opportunities that long-term careers are built on and we recognize hard workers who strive to make a difference. You will be able to thrive in our close-knit, safety-focused culture working together as ONE TEAM. The careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us!

Job Summary

The Senior Financial Partner - Financial Planning is responsible for overseeing Operating for all levels of HQ Departments (CFO functions, CLO, HR and CEO) and Other Operations (Safety, COO and Environment). The role acts as a trusted Business Advisor and a point of contact for financial services. The position develops strong relationships with stakeholders and budget owners to remain informed about their work and needs. The incumbent instills and maintains a culture of ongoing communication between Finance and the various function. The role also cultivates a culture of cost consciousness, control, simplification, and continuous improvement. The position prepares budgets and forecasts, as well as promotes understanding of budget issues by creating meaningful segmentation of the Operating budgets. The incumbent supports the functional leadership team with key financial insights and operational analytics. The role identifies, understands, and addresses deviations from the plan, drives immediate action when needed, and promotes behavioural change.

Main Responsibilities

Manage Budgeting and Planning Processes

\xc2\xb7 Provide complete end-to-end financial support by planning, budgeting, monitoring, and forecasting

\xc2\xb7 Ensure budget and planning processes are dynamic, aligned with business needs, and properly communicated to each budget owner

\xc2\xb7 Create and communicate periodic Year-End Outlook (YEO) based on actual results and spending trends and drive targeted cost control

\xc2\xb7 Communicate risks and opportunities in the forecast to functional stakeholders

\xc2\xb7 Ensure stakeholder buy-in on preview and budget, using clearly communicated reasoning on key elements and assumptions

\xc2\xb7 Identify gaps and provide recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance and business opportunities, as well as provide financial solutions

\xc2\xb7 Make sure that variances to budgeted amounts are clearly explained and documented

\xc2\xb7 Ensure that effective controls and good governance are in place and apply CN\'s best practices compliant with Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Award of Business (AOB), and Purchase Orders (PO)

\xc2\xb7 Advise and inform the senior management team on the merits and risks associated with the forecast and keep Financial Planning abreast of changes to the YEO

Management Reporting and Financial Management Processes

\xc2\xb7 Ensure management reporting and financial management processes are dynamic, relevant to the business, and drive business performance

\xc2\xb7 Provide financial guidance to key stakeholders such as VP, AVP, Directors and Project Managers, as well as insight to enable smart business decisions

\xc2\xb7 Create relationships with the Company\'s leaders and become a trusted Financial Advisor in the attainment of their strategy and objectives

\xc2\xb7 Take hands-on lead in implementing and maintaining comprehensive financial forecasting systems

\xc2\xb7 Direct and translate the corporate business plan into financial plans for the Function

\xc2\xb7 Manage changes and transfers within the Operating budgets

\xc2\xb7 Coordinate and validate the preparation and distribution of weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports on expenditures and key performance metrics

\xc2\xb7 Monitor, analyze, and explain monthly results against budget

\xc2\xb7 Drill down on unexpected variances to provide explanations to key stakeholders and establish corrective actions through discussions with the budget owners

\xc2\xb7 Pursue opportunities to deliver cost savings and efficiency gains proactively

Improve Processes, Controls and Day-to-Day Support

\xc2\xb7 Ensure that effective controls are in place, including monitoring and reporting

\xc2\xb7 Influence stakeholders on potential improvements with a data-driven approach

\xc2\xb7 Review proactively and implement new processes triggered by new accounting pronouncements, new systems, and others

\xc2\xb7 Provide recommendations and procedural improvements for financial audit issues and controls

\xc2\xb7 Manage accrued liabilities in compliance with corporate accounting rules

\xc2\xb7 Ensure the integrity of financial transactions created by the department

\xc2\xb7 Foster collaboration, exchange of information, and accountability

\xc2\xb7 Leverage data to highlight and quantify issues, as well as improve reporting and controls, which may include database and tool development

\xc2\xb7 Document improvement opportunities in existing systems and processes and coordinate collaborative resolution

\xc2\xb7 Play a key role in developing, monitoring, and evaluating the implementation of corporate strategy

Working Conditions

The role has standard working conditions has a hybrid model with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday. Due to the nature of the role, the incumbent must be able to meet tight deadlines, handle pressure, and stress.

Requirements

Experience

\xc2\xb7 Between 5 to 7 years of experience in financial or accounting roles

o Experience with systems and ad hoc financial analysis

o Experience building financial data models to extract, condense and analyse various financial items

o Demonstrated excellence in analytical experience relating to CN

Education/Certification/Designation

\xc2\xb7 Bachelor\'s Degree in Commerce

\xc2\xb7 Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) or other professional Accounting Degree

\xc2\xb7 Master of Business Administration (MBA)*

*Any designation for these above would be considered as an asset

Competencies

\xc2\xb7 Knows the business and stays current with industry needs

\xc2\xb7 Solves problems to create value

\xc2\xb7 Sets direction and inspires others

\xc2\xb7 Collaborates with others and shares information

\xc2\xb7 Demonstrates agility and drives change

\xc2\xb7 Applies critical thinking

\xc2\xb7 Fluently bilingual both written and verbal (English, French)

Technical Skills/Knowledge

\xc2\xb7 Ability to convey financial jargon in laymen\'s terms

\xc2\xb7 Ability to leverage tools, information, and personal network to stay up to date with the Company\'s projects, vision, and strategy

\xc2\xb7 Ability to identify risk and propose mitigation avenues

\xc2\xb7 Ability to adopt a systematic approach to identify, analyze, and improve the existing business processes to optimize and bring efficiency and new quality standards

\xc2\xb7 Knowledge of rail transportation, logistics industry and technology

\xc2\xb7 Knowledge of CN\'s financial and accounting reporting system

\xc2\xb7 Knowledge of relevant systems such as Systems Applications and Products (SAP), Business Warehouse (BW), Structured Query Language (SQL), Essbase, Tableau and Apptio

\xc2\xb7 Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word)

\xc2\xb7 Ability to synthesize large amounts of data into meaningful insight

\xc2\xb7 Knowledge of Procurement and Engineering concepts and processes

About CN

CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canada\'s Eastern and Western coasts with the Southern tip of the U.S. through a 19,500 mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. At CN, we work as ONE TEAM, focused on safety, sustainability and our customers, providing operational and supply chain excellence to deliver results.

At CN, we are dedicated to building North America\'s most and railroad, which includes reflecting the communities in which we operate. Research shows that candidates from underrepresented groups often don\'t apply unless they feel they fit the job posting at 100%. Even if you don\'t see yourself in every job requirement listed in a posting, we still encourage you to apply. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodations), please reach out to our team at

As an equal employment opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates under consideration will be contacted. Please monitor your email on a regular basis, as communication is primarily made through email.

Canadian National Railway