Sr Accountant - External Reporting

Canadian National Inc.; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 95,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

ESIP

Pension

Benefits

Job summary

Canadian National Inc. is seeking a Senior Accountant, Financial Reporting to lead month-end close, external reporting, and internal controls across U.S. GAAP and Canadian requirements.

You will interact with senior leaders, auditors, and cross‑functional teams while advancing automation and finance transformation initiatives. Hybrid work model in Montreal; CPA and 4+ years in public company accounting preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, or related field.
• CPA designation preferred or CPA track in progress.
• 4+ years in public company accounting and reporting.
• Experience in multi-entity environments.

Responsibilities

• Prepare month-end close with reconciliations and journal entries.
• Support external and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Coordinate with internal/external auditors and control testing.
• Lead internal controls in accordance with SOX.
• Assist with accounting for portfolios such as revenue, leases and pensions.
• Drive process improvements and automation in financial reporting.

Skills

Bilingual EN/FR

Excel

Communication

Analytical

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or business

CPA designation

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

BW

Workiva Wdesk

PowerPlan

OneStream

IBM TM1

Job description

Please note that the language you select on this site will be the primary language used for all future communications regarding your application.

Hiring Salary Range: $95000 - 103000

This range represents the hiring range. Salaries are determined individually depending on skills and experience. You will also be eligible to an annual bonus, employee share investment program (ESIP), Pension, Benefits and other perks.

At CN, we are committed to our pursuit of excellence. We take pride in delivering work of the highest standard, continually innovating to shape the railroad of the future. As responsible railroaders, we make the right decisions every time, putting safety first, acting with unwavering integrity, and holding ourselves accountable for our actions. We believe in succeeding together—by fostering inclusivity and collaboration, we sustainably deliver exceptional results for our customers.

Job Summary

The Senior Accountant, Financial Reporting is responsible for the preparation, analysis and review of financial information in accordance with United States (U.S.) Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Canadian and U.S. regulatory requirements, and Company policies. The incumbent supports a broad range of financial reporting activities including corporate accounting, external reporting, regulatory reporting, technical accounting, internal controls over financial reporting, finance transformation initiatives and other specialized reporting portfolios. Through cross-functional assignments and rotational opportunities, the incumbent develops expertise across multiple areas of Financial Reporting while supporting continuous improvement and process automation initiatives. The position works closely with internal stakeholders across Finance and other business functions at CN to ensure accurate, timely and compliant financial reporting. The role has significant interaction and exposure to senior leadership, auditors, regulators and key business stakeholders including Financial Planning, Sales and Marketing, Tax, Law, Procurement, Human Resources, Sustainability, and Investor Relations. The role provides a unique opportunity to gain broad exposure to public company financial reporting, finance transformation, and strategic business initiatives while building relationships across Finance and the broader organization.

Financial Reporting and Close Activities

• Responsible for month-end closing activities activities including preparation of account reconciliations, journal entries and financial analyses
• Responsible for compiling and maintaining month-end checklists and reporting binders, including financial statement disclosure, on designated areas and assist other team members during quarterly and annual close process
• Assist with consolidated, legal entity, regulatory and non-consolidated financial reporting requirements.
• Partner with internal and external auditors during financial statement audits and control testing by preparing working files, responding to inquiries, and strengthening documentation.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders across the organization
• Responsible for internal controls in accordance with the requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX)
• Responsible for accounting and reporting activities for portfolios, as assigned, such as revenue reporting, lease accounting, property accounting, pension accounting, stock-based compensation and foreign exchange hedge accounting
• Accounting Policy and Technical Analysis
• Research and analyze accounting standards and regulatory requirements
• Assess accounting implications of significant, complex and non-routine transactions
• Prepare technical accounting analyses and recommendations and communicate financial impacts related thereto to the senior and executive leadership team
• Support implementation of newly issued accounting standards and reporting requirements
• Collaborate on special projects that will have an accounting implication such as new business opportunities, Mergers and Acquisitions (MandA) related financial due diligence and other strategic projects

Regulatory and Compliance Reporting

• Prepare financial reports and filings required by regulatory authorities, securities regulators, government agencies and other external stakeholders
• Update and maintain process documentation and control evidence
• Auditor support for regulatory and non-consolidated financial statement audits
• Maintain general ledgers and ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial records
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax regulations, and corporate policies
• Recommend and implement improvements to accounting processes and internal controls
• Continuous Improvement, Systems and Projects
• Leverage technology, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics tools to improve reporting processes, strengthen controls, and drive efficiencies across Financial Reporting activities
• Participate in finance transformation initiatives
• Assist with implementation, testing, stabilization and optimization of new financial systems, reporting tools and automation solutions
• Support lease and property accounting activities, where assigned, including lease and capital project administration, transaction processing, reconciliations, system support, and period-end close activities.

Working Conditions

The role has standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday and is eligible to participate in CN's hybrid work model. The role requires flexibility to work additional hours at quarter end or during peak periods. The role involves managing priorities and delivering work within established timelines, with support from the team to ensure sustainable and effective workload management.

Experience

• Minimum 4 years of experience at a CPA firm or minimum 4 years of relevant experience in a public company financial accounting and reporting role, ideally in a multi-entity environment.
• Candidates with an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.

Education/Certification/Designation

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Accounting, or a related field
• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation
• Candidates with equivalent practical experience, education, or training will be considered.
• We Care About Each Other
• We Strive for Excellence
• We Succeed Together
• Business acumen
• Coordination
• Negotiation
• Process optimization

Technical Skills/Knowledge

• Ability to work in and learn different financial and reporting systems (e.g. SAP S/4HANA, Business Warehouse (BW), Workiva Wdesk, PowerPlan, OneStream and IBM TM1)*
• Expertise in the application of U.S. GAAP accounting policies, and securities commissions' reporting rules and regulations.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency in broader Microsoft Office suite
• Experience leveraging automation, artificial intelligence (AI), business intelligence and data analytics tools to improve business processes and reporting effectiveness.*
• Solid understanding of COSO framework and/or internal controls over financial reporting
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to thrive with changing priorities and tight deadlines - especially during month-end
• Clear, confident communicator with strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate technical accounting matters to both financial and non-financial audiences
• Stakeholder-focused mindset with a commitment to delivering a high standard of service
• Problem-solving ability with a proactive approach to issue resolution
• Discretion in handling confidential financial information
• Fluently bilingual, both written and verbal (English, French)
• *Any requirement marked with (*) will be considered an asset (not mandatory).

Additional Information (If Any)

About CN

CN is a premium railroad that sustainably generates value for our customers, shareholders, employees, and stakeholders with an unwavering commitment to safety and service. 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. CN's network connects Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through an 18,800-mile rail network. CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN powers the North American economy and is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

At CN, we are dedicated to building North America's safest, most inclusive and sustainable railroad, which includes reflecting the communities in which we operate. Research shows that candidates often don't apply unless they feel they fit the job posting at 100%. To all potential applicants, even if you don't meet 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 get in touch with our team at [e-mail].

As an equal opportunity employer, qualified candidates 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.

Please monitor your email on a regular basis as communication to applicants is done via email