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 and Forecasting is responsible for supporting the Director, Financial Planning, with the development of CN's Operating forecast and three-year plan, and communication of operating performance to C-suite, and other Executives. The incumbent interacts with functional financial partners, the Commercial team, Accounting, Investor Relations, and Strategy, to gather detailed information and deliver key financial insights and operational analytics to the Vice President (VP) Financial Planning and Chief Financial Office (CFO). The incumbent identifies and addresses deviations from the plan, enabling immediate action when needed and promotes behavioural change. The role also actively participates in the development and presentation of the annual CN business plan, month and quarter-end financial reporting and develops themes and content for board presentations.

Main Responsibilities

Forecasting and Executive Reporting

Provide the Financial Planning leadership team with insights concerning corporate financial performance, establishing causal links between business behavior and financial outcomes

Budget, forecast and analyze capital and operating expenses

Monitor, analyze and explain monthly operating results against budget

Prepare current year and 3-year plan reports based on actual results and spending trends, and drive cost improvements with support from financial partners

Provide support in advance of meetings with executives

Manage time sensitive board level material production, often juggling other deliverables at the same time

Perform ad hoc analyses supporting the C-suite including Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CFO as well as VP Financial Planning and the leadership team

Provide visibility on controllable and actionable cost levers, trend analysis, and performance to enable CN leadership team in effective decision-making

Leverage an understanding of CN business, correlation of operating Key Performers Indicators (KPIs) and financial information, Financial Planning data systems and available time to create analysis on underlying subject matter

Identify gaps and provide recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance and business opportunities including issuing financial solutions

Ensure dashboards KPIs are dynamic, appropriate, and that management actions result from analysis through translating management information into recommendations

Respond to ad hoc executive requests, and leverage judgment and skills by providing insights with either a rapid, logic-based analysis or a deeper, more thorough approach

Direct and translate corporate business plan into operating expense budgets and ensure buy-in by key stakeholders on budgets

Drill down on unexpected variances to provide explanations to key stakeholders and establish corrective actions through dialogue with senior management

Advise and inform the senior management team on the merits and risks associated with the forecast

Process Improvement and Digitization

Create insightful ad hoc Financial Planning reports supporting CN's goals, including self-serve dashboards and data analytics tools for internal customers

Leverage technology and competitive insight for continuous improvement with the creation of enhanced forecasting tools, process designs, and data visualizations

Review, streamline and automate deliverables and processes to make them relevant and meaningful to the audience

Validate information and improve quality to remain relevant and add value

Ensure reports are timely and information is accurate and intact

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 working policy. The role occasionally requires working outside of regular hours. Due to the nature of the role, the incumbent must be able to meet tight deadlines, handle pressure, and stress.

Requirements
Experience

Financial and Accounting

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

o Experience with systems, board material preparation, 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

Bachelor's Degree in Commerce

Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) or other professional Accounting Degree

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Any designation for these above would be considered as an asset

Competencies

Delegates and empowers others to create accountability

Collaborates with others and shares information

Demonstrates agility and drives change

Knows the business and stays current on industry needs

Sets direction and inspires others

Communicates with impact

Applies critical thinking

Technical Skills/Knowledge

Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting and cost control principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and regulations

Knowledge of rail transportation and logistics industry

Knowledge of CN's financial and accounting reporting system

Knowledge of relevant systems such as Systems Applications and Products (SAP), Essbase, Business Warehouse (BW), Power Business Intelligence (BI), and Tableau

Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

Knowledge of accounting, auditing and financial planning concepts and processes

Fluently bilingual, both written and verbal (English, French)

Any skill/knowledge for these above would be considered as an asset

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.