Senior Advisor, Financial Advisory Services

 Reference Number : 1430 

Status : Permanent - Full-time  

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : $96,110 - $118,419

Number of positions to be filled : 1 

Application Deadline : 09/04/2026

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. 

The Senior Advisor, Financial Advisory Services and Management is responsible for the production, analysis, and monitoring of the company's operational results (funded results), involving annual revenues exceeding $500 million and operating expenses of nearly $800 million.

He/she leads a team of analysts (approximately 3 to 4 professionals) located across Canada who act as business advisors to the company's various groups, helping them monitor their financial performance. This includes preparing financial results, accounting activities, analysis, and validation of variances against budgets and the previous year. In addition, they serve as support and advisors on all financial and governance-related matters to ensure compliance with the company's business rules and procedures.

In this role, the incumbent analyzes the company's financial performance and ensures that established internal controls are consistently applied and maintained.

In collaboration with the various operational groups, he/she is also responsible for providing financial support to the Commercial team.

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.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: 

• 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.

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!