Advisor, Financial Advisory Services

Viarail; Montreal; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

VIA Rail, the national passenger rail service of Canada, is seeking a seasoned finance professional to partner with business units. You will analyze financial results, ensure internal controls, and support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic initiatives with rigorous financial analysis.

Reporting to the Senior Advisor, Financial Advisory Services, you will drive performance insights, enhance reporting processes, and collaborate across Finance teams to improve efficiency and reliability of

Qualifications

• Recognized CPA or actively pursuing CPA certification.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in financial analysis, accounting, auditing, or related finance function.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted financial advisor to managers and leadership teams within assigned business units.
• Provide financial and operational analyses to support informed decision‑making.
• Identify financial risks, issues, and opportunities, and recommend corrective or optimization measures.
• Participate in the financial evaluation of projects, initiatives, and strategic business cases.
• Collaborate with business partners to ensure sound financial management and alignment with objectives.
• Contribute to annual budgets, forecasts, and long‑term financial plans.
• Monitor performance and analyze variances between actual results and budgets.

Skills

Analytical skills

French & English bilingual

Stakeholder management

Decision making

Process improvement

Communication

Education

CPA designation (or pursuing)

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : $80,108 - $100,135

Number of positions to be filled :1

Application Deadline :11/15/2026

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility.

Reporting to the Senior Advisor, Financial Advisory Services, the incumbent acts as a financial business partner to the assigned business sectors. They contribute to financial planning, results analysis, financial forecasting, and the continuous improvement of financial processes. The incumbent provides analyses and recommendations that support decision-making and help achieve VIA Rail’s strategic and financial objectives.

In this role, they analyze the company’s financial results and ensure that established internal controls are applied consistently and effectively on an ongoing basis.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as a trusted financial advisor to managers and leadership teams within assigned business units;
• Provide financial and operational analyses to support informed decision-making;
• Identify financial risks, issues, and opportunities, and recommend appropriate corrective or optimization measures;
• Participate in the financial evaluation of projects, initiatives, and strategic business cases;
• Collaborate with business partners to ensure sound financial management practices and alignment with organizational objectives;
• Contribute to the development of business cases and support investment decisions through rigorous financial analysis;
• Participate in monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close activities;
• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of financial data within their area of responsibility;
• Prepare and/or review required journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial analyses;
• Ensure compliance with financial policies, internal controls, and applicable IFRS accounting standards;
• Support audit activities by providing financial information, analyses, and documentation as required;
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of financial reporting processes and control frameworks;
• Participate in the preparation of annual budgets, periodic forecasts, and long‑term financial plans;
• Monitor financial performance and analyze variances between actual results, budgets, and forecasts, providing clear explanations and recommendations;
• Prepare financial analyses, reports, and presentations for management and executive leadership;
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of key performance indicators (KPIs) and financial dashboards;
• Support financial planning and performance management processes by providing timely and accurate insights;
• Collaborate with business leaders to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improved financial performance;
• Contribute to the optimization of financial processes, systems, and management tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness;
• Participate in the implementation of new financial practices, technologies, and transformation initiatives;
• Collaborate with Finance teams across the organization to improve the efficiency, quality, and reliability of financial information;
• Ensure compliance with internal financial policies and external regulatory requirements when implementing process changes or improvement projects;
• Support change management efforts by promoting the adoption of best practices and continuous process improvement;
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, strengthen controls, and enhance financial reporting capabilities.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Recognized professional accounting designation (CPA) or actively pursuing CPA certification;
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field;
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in financial analysis, accounting, auditing, or a related finance function;
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Power BI;
• Knowledge and understanding of the transportation industry;
• Bilingualism in French and English, both spoken and written;
• Excellent analytical skills;
• Demonstrated flexibility and resourcefulness in delivering results under tight deadlines;
• Challenges the status quo and embraces a continuous improvement mindset;
• Strong attention to detail and high level of rigor;
• Proven ability to explain complex situations and issues in a clear and concise manner;
• Strong political acumen and ability to build positive relationships with stakeholders across various business groups;
• Good strategic perspective and business judgment;
• Strong interpersonal skills and resilience.

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment‑equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

Join our 3,000 other employees in helping provide Canadians with a safe, accessible, environmentally sustainable way to travel!