Financial Controller (Contract)

We are IPG Mediabrands, a new world agency group designed with dynamic marketing at its core. We are 13,500 marketing communication, media and technology specialists in over 130 countries. We are a diverse group of innovators, technologists, strategists, buyers, thinkers and planners that are committed to building new solutions for the world’s top brands. The Mediabrands UK & Ireland umbrella includes local agencies UM UK, InitiativeUK, Kinesso, Mediahub plus its roster of speciality services including Orion, Rapport and MAGNA as well as housing our EMEA regional headquarters. In the UK, we manage and invest over £1.2BN in billings for some of the world’s largest companies and employ c1,200 people in our new offices situated at the Old Bailey, in the city. We have an additional c350 people in offices in Leeds, Peterborough, Dublin, and Bristol. We are dynamic, empowered and entrepreneurial. We pride ourselves in being an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion is at the heart of what we believe in. IPG Mediabrands are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications regardless of gender identity, race, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion or belief.

As Financial Controller, you will be responsible for supporting the team in creating a best-in-class finance function, developing our controls, processes and the foundations for our continued growth. You will report to the Director, Financial Control UK & Ireland and work closely with other members of our Regional Control Team (RCT) based in Spain. This is a varied role and you will be working closely with the wider UK Finance team as well as managing a team. The role will have exposure to senior stakeholders and the opportunity to drive key projects as the business continues to scale. This is a 3 month contract to cover a leave.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Management of finance operations for the IPG Agencies in both UK and Ireland with a focus across Balance sheet reporting including variance analysis and commentary in line with IPG’s reporting timetable.
• Manage and develop a team of 4 to 6 qualified / part qualified accountants.
• Review monthly balance sheet reconciliations to ensure all reported balances are accurate and reported in line with IPG policy.
• Oversee the VAT Quarterly Reconciliation and Remittance to Inland Revenue on consolidated group returns for the UK / and Ireland branch entity.
• Review intercompany reports distributed by the Shared Services team based in Omaha and work with them to resolve any aged balances.
• Review and assist in the compilation of WIP exemptions / WIP netting in line with IPG policy.
• Audit lead across Internal and External audits, including the Group US GAAP audit, Interim audit and Statutory audits.
• Oversee Statutory accounts and tax compilations in accordance with IPG timetable.
• Work with the Director, Financial Control on other change initiatives and ad hoc tasks as required, including driving further automation and simplification across finance processes to ensure compliance with IPG accounting policies.

About You

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified with at least 2 to 3 years of post qualified experience working within Industry.
• Big 4 / Second tier practice trained.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise tasks.
• Experience of SAP and DDS (Mediaocean) an advantage as is experience of Media Agency Finance.
• Ability to work well under pressure, working accurately with attention to detail, and meeting deadlines.
• This role will suit an experienced, highly-motivated self-starter with significant and relevant financial accounting and analytical experience.
• We are seeking an individual who enjoys the challenges of working within an exciting and fast-growing organisation.
• An ability to work to multiple tight deadlines is a pre-requisite, with high levels of organisation as well as being prepared to be ‘hands on’ when required.

At Mediabrands and Kinesso, we celebrate difference and believe this makes us stronger. Mediabrands and Kinesso are equal opportunity employers and committed to championing an inclusive culture that provides a sense of belonging for all our employees. We do not discriminate against any applicant based on age, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, belief, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.