Senior Advisor, Fixed Assets and Capital Accounting

At Alto, we are helping shape the future of transportation in Canada through the development of a high-speed rail network connecting Québec City and Toronto. The project is expected to include approximately 1,000 km of dedicated and electrified tracks and represents one of the most significant and capital-intensive infrastructure undertakings in Canada’s history. 

We are seeking a Senior Advisor, Fixed Assets and Capital Accounting, to support the accounting and reporting for Alto's growing capital asset base as the project moves through accelerated development. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to the finance function as it scales to support increasing project complexity, capital activity, procurement, and public-sector reporting obligations. Please note this role can be based in any of our offices in Montreal, Toronto or Ottawa, with a preference for Toronto.

The role

Reporting to the Manager, Fixed Assets and Capital Accounting, the Senior Advisor will play a key role in helping to develop Alto’s capital accounting function.The successful candidate will be responsible for assessing project expenditures, evaluating capitalization under Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS), preparing technical accounting analyses, supporting audit requirements, and contributing to the development of scalable accounting processes, controls, and governance frameworks.

The role requires close collaboration with Project, Procurement, Finance, Corporate Accounting, and external stakeholders to support accurate financial reporting, sound accounting conclusions, and effective stewardship of project investments throughout the asset lifecycle. Alto reports under PSAS; however, candidates with strong IFRS technical accounting experience will also be considered, particularly those with experience in capital asset accounting, infrastructure projects, project accounting, large capital programs, or complex financial reporting environments.

The responsibilities

• Prepare technical accounting memoranda, position papers, and analyses under PSAS, including capitalization assessments, accounting judgments, and other project-related accounting matters.
• Lead significant aspects of month-end, quarter-end, and year-end reporting related to capital assets and project expenditures.
• Participate in external audit activities by preparing audit-ready documentation, responding to audit inquiries, and providing clear, well-supported accounting analyses.
• Develop and implement fixed asset policies, procedures, controls, governance frameworks, and documentation standards.
• Act as a trusted advisor to Project, Procurement, Finance, and Corporate Accounting teams to support the accurate identification, tracking, and reporting of capitalizable expenditures.
• Analyze large volumes of project, procurement, and financial data to support accounting conclusions, reporting requirements, and management decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen capitalization processes, improve data quality, and enhance governance and oversight of capital expenditures.
• Lead significant initiatives related to the implementation and ongoing enhancement of accounting systems, reporting tools, and fixed asset processes.
• Maintain fixed asset records, continuity schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation to support the completeness and accuracy of capital asset reporting.
• Contribute to broader finance transformation initiatives and the continued development of Alto's accounting and financial reporting capabilities.

The requirements

• CPA designation required.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in financial reporting, audit, technical accounting, fixed assets, capital accounting, or project accounting.
• PSAS experience preferred; IFRS experience will also be considered.
• Strong technical accounting skills, including experience preparing accounting memoranda, position papers, and technical accounting analyses.
• Experience with capitalization assessments, capital assets, asset-under-development accounting, infrastructure projects, project accounting, or large capital programs is a strong asset.
• Experience supporting external audits and preparing audit-ready documentation.
• Understanding of internal controls, governance frameworks, and audit requirements related to capital expenditures is an asset.
• Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or equivalent) is an asset.
• Strong Excel, reconciliation, documentation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze and reconcile large volumes of project, procurement, and financial data to support accounting conclusions and reporting requirements.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to communicate complex accounting matters to finance and non-finance audiences.
• Experience in public accounting, government, Crown corporations, transportation, infrastructure, engineering, or construction environments is an asset.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving organization with the opportunity to help shape processes, controls, and reporting practices while leveraging emerging accounting and financial systems.

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.