Finance Director
R4 AdvertisingCardiff | Hybrid
Salary: Competitive — open to discussion | Reports to: CEO
About R4
R4 is an independent, fadvertising agency working with a growing roster of national and global brands. With billings set to exceed £10M this financial year, we are scaling fast — and we run on process. Workflow discipline sits at the heart of how we operate, and we're now looking for a Finance Director to bring that same rigour, expertise and stewardship to our finances at board level.
This is a CFO-scope role in all but name. You will own the financial strategy, controls and commercial performance of the agency, working directly with the leadership team.
The Role
You will take full ownership of the agency's financial function strategic, operational and commercial. This includes:
Financial Leadership & Stewardship
- Full ownership of the P&L, balance sheet and cash flow, with clear, board-ready reporting
- Strategic financial planning, budgeting and rolling forecasts aligned to agency growth
- Acting as the financial conscience of the business — challenging, advising and safeguarding
Management Accounts & Controls
- Production and oversight of timely, accurate monthly management accounts
- Managing the relationship with our external accountants, driving query resolution efficiently and owning year-end
- Robust reconciliation disciplines across multiple bank, card and merchant platforms
- Revenue recognition and deferred income treatment on retained and media-billed clients
Commercial Finance
- Client and campaign profitability analysis, margin management and pricing support
- Media billings oversight — billing cycles, supplier reconciliation and cash flow phasing on £10M+ throughput
- Supporting new business with commercial modelling and contract input
Cash, Tax & Compliance
- Working capital and treasury management across all accounts and facilities
- VAT compliance, including cross-border/reverse-charge treatment on media platforms
- HMRC relationship management and all statutory obligations
Systems & Process
- Ownership of the finance stack (Xero) and its integration with agency workflow tools (HubSpot)
- Continuous improvement of financial processes, automation and controls as we scale
Team & Board
- Leading and developing the finance function
- Board-level input on strategy, investment decisions and risk
About You
- Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) with significant post-qualified experience at FD or senior finance level
- Agency, media or professional services background strongly preferred — you understand billings vs revenue, deferred income and client profitability
- Genuinely process-driven: you build systems that scale, not workarounds
- Hands-on and detail-strong, but able to operate strategically at board level
- Confident managing external advisers, banks and HMRC
- Direct communicator who resolves issues cleanly and moves things forward
What We Offer
- Competitive salary — we're open to discussion for the right person
- Genuine flexibility in how and where you work
- A seat at the top table of a fast-growing independent agency with global-brand clients
- A strong, supportive team and a leadership culture that values expertise
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Finance Director in Cardiff employer: Rebel Lion Advertising Limited
R4 Advertising is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture in the heart of London at Battersea Power Station. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer ample opportunities for professional development and collaboration with talented individuals in the B2B Ad Tech space. Our commitment to a hands-on approach ensures that you will have the resources and support needed to drive impactful marketing strategies while enjoying a vibrant and creative environment.
Contact Details:
Rebel Lion Advertising Limited Recruitment Team
