About WPP Media
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth.
1786 – Revenue Controller – Finance
Role Summary And Impact
This role sits within the Controllership pillar of the WPP Media UK Finance team, primarily supporting the Wavemaker operating unit. The role has full responsibility for the controllership and reporting of revenue for the Wavemaker unit and leads a team of three.
The Role Objective
The role has full ownership of revenue reporting in an accurate and timely manner to both WPP Media management and WPP Media EMEA. This requires working closely with the Commercial and FP&A teams to understand client revenue and providing insightful analysis to support those teams. The role assumes full responsibility of the P L and balance sheet for all revenue‑related items, for delivering on all audit and SOX requirements and providing detailed variance analysis and exception reporting. To be successful, engagement with various parts of the business is required, often at different levels of seniority as well as being fully immersed in the objectives and culture of the Agency team(s) that you and your direct team work alongside to support.
Success in this role depends on collaboration, adaptability, drive, and engagement, as well as maintaining efficient control processes and promoting process improvement.
Responsibilities
- Full ownership of Balance Sheet and P L for Wavemaker revenue items, ensuring accuracy and integrity.
- Lead the end‑to‑end month‑end revenue reporting process, delivering timely results with clear variance analysis vs. forecast and pro forma.
- Provide timely management information to Commercial, FP&A Finance, FinOps Leads, and Senior Leadership.
- Manage data input, validation, and extraction for reporting systems including Cartesis, DDS, and Adaptive.
- Lead and develop a team of two, delegating effectively and supporting training and capability growth.
- Compile and report monthly revenue recognised by client, supporting Client Leads and the Commercial Team.
- Oversee monthly revenue postings, net sales, billing commentaries, and related analysis.
- Drive process efficiencies and implement improved procedures for financial reporting and balance sheet reconciliations.
- Maintain general ledger accuracy and fully reconciled Balance Sheets for revenue‑related items (accrued and deferred income).
- Oversee revenue controls and ensure SOX compliance, implementing enhancements where required.
- Ensure all revenue recognition aligns with IFRS 15 standards.
- Act as primary point of contact for Group audit and Financial Statements audits on revenue‑related matters.
- Manage relationships with key stakeholders across Agencies, WPP Media UK, WPP Media EMEA, and Finance Plus.
- Produce ad‑hoc reporting for the WPP Media UK Market CFO, Group Finance Director, and Head of FP&A.
Group / WPP Reporting
- Liaise with EMEA to resolve reporting queries.
- Submit commentaries to EMEA on a monthly basis.
- Submit SOX controls on a 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 Experience
- 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 / advanced level of Excel (knowledge of SUMIFs, SUMIF, Pivot tables, VLOOKUP is essential).
- Organised 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.
Life At WPP Media & Benefits
Our commitment to Be Extraordinary, leading optimistically, and championing growth and development creates an inclusive environment. WPP Media employees benefit from competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision and dental insurance, significant paid time off, partner discounts, and mental health awareness days.
Equal Opportunity Employer
WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We believe the best work happens when we’re together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment.
Additional Information
Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location.
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