Job Description
The Role Objective
The Financial Controllers within GroupM are responsible for managing and leading the month end/quarter and year end processes ensuring deadlines are met and work is accurate; maintaining efficient control processes; promoting process improvement. Supporting one aligned, efficient and effective team reporting function that provides the required monthly reporting to WPP (P&L and Balance Sheet) and internal Management Info
Responsibilities
Month-end process/ year-end & variance analysis
* Managing and training members of the team
* Managing the month end, quarter end, half year and year end processes to ensure accurate and timely reporting of P&Ls and Balance sheets
* Preparation of Flash and actuals for review
* Preparation of the internal P&L commentary with variance analysis within the threshold prior to BFC submission (CTB21) for review
* Preparation of Balance Sheet Commentary with variance analysis within the threshold prior to BFC submission (CTB20) for review
* Sign off WD9 SOX and 20th of the month SOX Controls for those controls allocated including MRC/threshold tools and IUC checks
* Assist in improvement of SOX controls and balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring unreconciled items are reviewed monthly/resolved (CTB09.1 and CTB09.2)
* Updating RCM matrix for new WPP RCM when required
* Review and approval of monthly payroll
* Part ownership of the Deloitte external audit and EY internal SOX audit.
* Checking requests regularly for those assigned to you and ensuring your direct reports have completed their requests.
* Ensuring SOX controls are remediated and updated in DM360
* Preparation/ Review of quarterly VAT with sample tests and upload in SOFY with commentary for variances to prior quarter
* Manage, support, train and develop your direct reports and improve their knowledge and experience, be on hand to support during month end, quarter-ends and key reporting dates
* Provide any ad-hoc reporting requested by the GroupM/WPP
Group / WPP reporting
* Liaise with EMEA to resolve reporting queries
* Submit commentaries to EMEA on a monthly basis
* Submit SOX controls on monthly basis
* Deal with EMEA’s new reporting requirements
* Prepare and submit quarterly packages
* Prepare and submit the year-end packages
Business Partnering
* Business partnering through engagement with business on a regular basis including face-to-face meetings
* Adding value to operational teams through analysis, reporting etc.
Other and periodic
* Ensuring compliance with company policies and SOX requirements
* Continuously reviewing current processes and making improvements to allow better control or improved efficiencies
* Ad hoc projects as directed by SFC/Head of Accounting
* Dealing with Finance Plus on ad hoc queries
Skills and Behaviours:
Desirable
* Experience working with DDS / Media Ocean
* Experience working with Cartesis / BFC
* Media industry experience
* Experience working with SOX controls
* Audit trained
Essential
* Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA and CIMA)
* Intermediate / advance level of Excel (knowledge of sumIFs, sumIF, Pivot tables, VLOOKUP is essential)
* Organized with good attention to detail
* Quick to learn and adaptable to changing work allocation and able to prioritise workload to meet challenging deadlines
* Team management experience
* Strong analytical and reconciliation skills
* Strong communication & relationship building skills
* Enthusiastic with a can do attitude
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team
* Experience in setting up and improving processes
PLEASE NOTE: This role is inside IR35