At a Glance
- Tasks: Support finance teams by managing work in progress and ensuring timely invoicing.
- Company: Join McCann Central, the UK's largest integrated marketing agency with a creative and award-winning culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, enhanced pension contributions, life assurance, and access to top-notch training.
- Why this job: Be part of a fun, collaborative team that values growth and creativity in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Part-qualified in accounting or experienced in commercial finance; strong numeracy and communication skills required.
- Other info: Travel within the UK to various office locations is part of the role.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
As we continue to develop our internal finance function, we’re looking for an ambitious Commercial Financial Executive. McCann Central is the UK’s largest integrated marketing agency, with over 500 individuals working together to help brands play a meaningful role in people’s lives. We’ve experienced unprecedented growth, doubling in size over the past few years. We are also part of McCann Worldgroup, a global advertising agency network that delivers culture-shaping work for some of the world’s biggest brands.
What are we looking for? We are currently recruiting for a Commercial Finance Executive to support our fast-paced Finance Department. This role requires providing high-quality support to the relevant business teams, ensuring work in progress is effectively managed and invoices are issued in a timely and accurate manner. You will play a key role in ensuring processes are followed and best practice accounting is undertaken at all times. Additionally, you will support account teams and other agency leads to navigate finance systems and maintain a healthy work in progress position.
The role involves:
- Understanding and managing WIP and billing fundamentals; monitoring profitability and budgets as required.
- Preparing work-in-progress reports and monitoring WIP & billing for specified clients or divisions to ensure recovery of committed costs.
- Preparing and coordinating existing, and developing new, monthly reports as needed.
- Supporting the implementation of new information systems or technologies to meet changing business needs.
- Maintaining master data in the system according to agency standards and performing other ad hoc financial tasks as required.
- System maintenance including estimate approvals, billing profiles, and job closing to ensure an accurate and up-to-date WIP position.
- Participating actively in month-end close processes to produce accurate and timely management information data and reports.
- Monitoring fees for key clients, involving analysis and reporting to track actual performance versus targets, including variance analysis and PO tracking.
This role requires travel within the UK to various office locations as part of regular duties.
Key skills and attributes:
- Excellent communication skills and ability to build relationships within the finance office and wider business.
- Highly numerate with meticulous attention to detail.
- Ability to work under pressure with large volumes of data while meeting deadlines.
- Highly organized with excellent time management and prioritization skills.
- Adaptability to meet changing agency needs.
- Working knowledge of systems including SAP and Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
- Part-qualified in a major accounting qualification (e.g., AAT, ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) or previous experience in a commercial finance role.
In addition to a competitive salary, we offer benefits such as 28 days holiday (plus options to buy more), enhanced pension contributions, life assurance, and more. We foster a culture of learning and development, providing access to industry-leading training and opportunities to work with major media partners. Most importantly, you’ll be part of a fun, collaborative team in an environment that supports your growth.
Our commitment to equal opportunities: We believe diversity is essential for success. An inclusive environment enhances our culture and drives better business practices. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and included. As a disability confident employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria and request adjustments during the recruitment process.
Commercial Finance Executive employer: Mccann Erickson SA
Contact Detail:
Mccann Erickson SA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Executive
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the key financial systems mentioned in the job description, particularly SAP and Excel. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency in these tools during the interview will show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Research McCann Central's recent projects and awards to understand their creative approach and business model. This knowledge will help you articulate how your skills can contribute to their success and align with their values during discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples from your past experience that showcase your ability to manage work-in-progress (WIP) and billing effectively. Be ready to discuss how you've handled similar responsibilities and the impact of your actions on profitability.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of McCann Central on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which you can leverage in your application and interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Executive
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in commercial finance roles. Emphasise your skills in managing work-in-progress (WIP), billing, and financial reporting, as these are key aspects of the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for working at McCann Central. Mention specific projects or achievements that demonstrate your ability to support finance teams and manage budgets effectively.
Showcase Your Skills: Highlight your proficiency in systems like SAP and Microsoft Excel. Provide examples of how you've used these tools to improve financial processes or reporting in previous roles.
Demonstrate Cultural Fit: Research McCann Central's values and culture. In your application, reflect on how your personal values align with their commitment to creativity, collaboration, and diversity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mccann Erickson SA
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Finance Executive, you'll be dealing with financial data daily. Brush up on your understanding of work-in-progress (WIP) management and billing fundamentals. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully monitored profitability and budgets in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Excellent communication is key in this role. Think of examples where you've built strong relationships within a finance team or across departments. Be ready to explain how you can effectively communicate complex financial information to non-financial colleagues.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability
The agency environment can be fast-paced and ever-changing. Prepare to share instances where you've adapted to new systems or processes. Highlight your experience with tools like SAP and Excel, and how you've used them to meet changing business needs.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills under pressure. Think about times when you've had to manage large volumes of data while meeting tight deadlines. Be ready to discuss how you prioritised tasks and ensured accuracy in your work.