Finance Controller - Permanent
Wunderman Thompson Commerce, United Kingdom
Job Description
This role requires an individual with commercial and technical experience and a track record of process improvement. A ‘hands-on’ individual to take control of finance and support this 60m+ business in achieving its ambitious growth plans and profitability objectives.
- Responsible for budgeting, forecasting, month-end, year-end and client profitability reporting.
- Ensuring that WTC’s financial reporting is completed accurately and on time in line with WTC’s and WPP’s policies. Including interaction with WTC China and WTC Australia.
- Working closely with the CFO and Account Directors to ensure that the revenue forecast is up to date amp; accurate.
- Determining the appropriate revenue recognition treatment for all client projects (Fixed Price vs Time amp; Materials).
- Managing internal, external and ICFR (used to be called SOX) audits and maintaining / improving (where needed) financial controls. Developing and documenting business and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls.
- Ownership of the balance sheet, including reconciliations and working capital management, specifically debt chasing and reducing accrued revenue ageing.
- Managing accounting operations including all GL transactions, Billing, AR, AP, payroll check, revenue recognition.
- Leading a team of 8 finance staff including, Finance Manager, Management Accountant, Financial Analyst, 4 Accounts Assistants and a SOX Controller.
- Ad-hoc requests and analysis.
You
Talented, enthusiastic, focused, eye for detail, professional. Keen to learn and to challenge for smarter ways of doing things; a team player proud of their work who wants to share it. You like working in a fast-paced environment and are ready to inspire outstanding online shopper experiences for consumers and brands, no matter what product, service, sector, device or channel!
You will have a customer-first mindset, with the maturity and initiative to do what it takes keep our clients happy, including some working at client locations. When our clients win we win!
We need you to be really great at:
- Strong commercial focus and pragmatism whilst maintaining financial integrity.
- Budgeting and forecasting experience; ability to develop and operate simple, clear and effective models to support achievement of financial goals.
- A good knowledge of UK GAAP/IFRS and accounting principles, policies, processes, systems and best practice, including revenue recognition and foreign currency hedging.
- Experience in handling the requirements of a large holding company, with its reporting and control requirements and policies, including the general compliance obligations associated with a multi-national plc.
- Ability to create financial statements and manage general ledger functions and the month-end/year end close processes.
- A proven track record of reporting and producing management and statutory financial statements.
- Ability to interact well at all levels and build good relationships, both internally and externally, whilst maintaining professionalism, control and integrity.
- Experience managing teams with the ability to be an effective and respected member of WTC’s finance team.
- An active hands-on approach, but with the ability to delegate effectively.
- Excellent managerial, interpersonal, communication, team-building and problem-solving skills.
- Proficient in use of accounting and IT systems, including Excel.
- A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Energetic and practical approach, with a strong attention to detail.
If you know any of this even better
- Some knowledge and experience of an IT and/or Consultancy Services business, especially project delivery management would be an advantage, but not essential.
Wunderman Thompson Commerce (WTC) is a global Commerce consultancy that applies strategy, technical know-how and outstanding design to help its ambitious clients grow through Commerce solutions.
How? By creating inspirational and shopper journeys. It’s why we work with some of the most exciting brands around such as Tempur, DFS, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Sainsbury’s, Selfridges, BAT and Ted Baker.
Tell me more! We’re an inclusive group of more than 1500 expert thinkers and doers stationed across more than 20 global offices including our new, state-of-the-art offices in Watford, and two agency offices in Central London. Our reputation is based on having the best in the business people who are inspired yet straight-talking, and who really want to understand not just our clients but their customers. We are passionate about innovation in everything we do, and proud of what our people achieve, empowering and respecting