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.
Main Responsibilities
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.
Competencies
- We Care About Each Other
- We Strive for Excellence
- We Succeed Together
- We Lead Responsibly
- Business acumen
- Financial 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).
