Advisor, Financial Reporting

At Alto, we are actively contributing to the transformation of Canada's future with our high-speed train project connecting Quebec City and Toronto. With the support of the Government of Canada, this innovative project aims to improve the quality of life of our citizens, strengthen ties between communities and stimulate economic growth.

Would you like to take on a stimulating, high-impact challenge?  We are looking for an Advisor, Financial Reporting.

Please note that the candidate may be based in Montreal, Toronto or Ottawa.

The role

Reporting to the Manager, Financial Reporting, the Advisor, Financial Reporting is a senior individual contributor responsible for preparing Alto’s financial statements and carrying out technical accounting analysis under Canadian Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS). The Advisor prepares the financial statements, note disclosures, and supporting schedules for the Manager’s review, researches and drafts technical accounting memos, and manages day-to-day audit requests.

This role is well suited to a CPA with solid reporting experience who wants to take ownership of core reporting deliverables at a federal Crown corporation in a formative stage, helping build the accounting policies, processes, and reporting that will support one of Canada’s largest infrastructure projects.

The responsibilities

Financial statement preparation

• Prepare Alto’s monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting deliverables, including the financial statements, note disclosures, and supporting schedules, in accordance with PSAS.
• Prepare quarterly financial reports and contribute to the financial sections of the annual report, in line with federal Crown corporation reporting requirements.
• Maintain the reporting close calendar, lead sheets, and tie-out files, ensuring every figure and disclosure is fully supported.
• Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations, account analyses, and flux analyses; investigate and explain significant variances.
• Prepare supporting schedules and reporting for key areas, such as government funding, major project expenditures, tangible capital assets and construction in progress, contractual obligations, and related party transactions, working with the Fixed Assets and Cost Controls teams.
• Prepare internal reporting packages and supporting analysis for Board, Audit Committee, and executive materials.

Technical accounting

• Research accounting issues and draft technical accounting memos and position papers on new, complex, or non-routine transactions for review by the Manager, Financial Reporting and the Director, Corporate Accounting.
• Assess the impact of new and amended PSAS standards, including the revised Conceptual Framework and PS 1202 Financial Statement Presentation, and support their implementation.
• Help develop and maintain Alto’s accounting policies and procedures as the organization and the project evolve.
• Advise project, procurement, and finance teams on the accounting treatment of contracts, capital expenditures, and funding arrangements.

Audit, controls, and continuous improvement

• Support the Manager in coordinating year-end and interim audits: manage day-to-day auditor requests, prepare audit-ready working papers, and help resolve audit findings.
• Perform and document financial reporting review controls, working with the Internal Controls team, and recommend improvements.
• Support the preparation of tax deliverables.
• Improve reporting templates, processes, and tools to strengthen accuracy and shorten reporting timelines.
• Partner with FP&A, Cost Controls, Internal Controls, Fixed Assets, Procurement, and project stakeholders to gather reporting information and resolve accounting questions.
• Provide guidance and first-level review for analysts as the team grows, and back up the Manager on reporting deliverables when needed.
• Support ad hoc analysis and special projects as Alto continues to scale.

The requirements

• CPA designation.
• 5–7 years of progressive experience in financial reporting, public accounting (assurance), or a combination of both.
• Hands-on experience preparing complete financial statements and notes.
• PSAS experience preferred; candidates with strong IFRS experience who have the technical aptitude to transition to PSAS will be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to research accounting standards and write clear, well-supported technical accounting memos.
• Experience coordinating or supporting external audits.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with an ERP system; experience with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition is an asset.
• Experience in government, a Crown corporation, infrastructure, transportation, construction, or major capital projects is an asset.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain accounting matters to non-finance audiences.
• High attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong documentation skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines in a high-scrutiny, fast-paced environment.
• Bilingualism (English and French) is an asset.

Why join our innovative team?

• Basic paid group insurance for you and your family: medical, dental, life, disability, etc.
• Access to wellness and health accounts to support your lifestyle.
• Flex-Alto account of $500 to encourage a healthier approach and a more sustainable mode of transportation.
• A retirement plan and savings options (RRSP and TFSA).
• Vacations based on experience, available upon hiring.
• An incentive compensation program.
• Flexible hybrid work mode.
• A work environment that encourages initiative, innovation, and forward-thinking solutions.
• A unique opportunity to shape the future of transportation in Canada.

We work to create high-performance, diversified teams

At Alto, we believe in the power of diverse teams. We aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone can develop and flourish. Alto offers equal employment opportunities to all and invites qualified individuals, regardless of their identity, origin or situation, to apply.

Please let us know if you need any adjustments during the recruitment process. We will do our utmost to provide you with a fair and pleasant experience, while keeping any adjustments confidential.

Please note that we will communicate only with those candidates whose applications are selected for further consideration. 

To find out more about the entire project, visit Alto - Home.