Senior Finance Manager - 6 month FTC

About Us 

IPG Mediabrands is the media and marketing solutions division of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). Mediabrands manages approximately $40 billion in marketing investment globally on behalf of its clients and provides strategic services and solutions across its award-winning, full-service agency networks UM and Initiative and through its innovative marketing specialist companies Reprise, Magna, Orion, Rapport, Healix, Mediabrands Content Studio and the IPG Media Lab. Mediabrands clients include many of the world’s most recognizable and iconic brands from a broad portfolio of industry sectors. The company employs more than 13,000 marketing experts in more than 130 countries representing the full diversity of humanity. For more information, please visit our website: www.ipgmediabrands.com. 

Role Description 

The role will deal with Balance Sheet and Statutory financial management of Mediabrands Limited, Mediabrands International Limited, Mediabrands EMEA Limited and Kinesso Limited, reporting into the Financial Controller. The job will require you to work closely on Balance Sheet management across all our agencies within the company structure as well as dealing with the contractual obligations of our client base.    A key aspect of this role is also maintaining the balance sheet, providing support and controls oversight across our Ireland branch operations.

The Operations / Controls Finance team consists of 30 permanent staff headed up by the EMEA CFO. The department adds value to the agencies within Mediabrands by providing operational support and best practice.

This is a 6 month contract to cover extended leave.

Key Responsibilities

• Balance Sheet Accounting and Reconciliation, specific time pressured tasks including:
  • Accounts Payable and Accrued Media revaluation, reconciliation and adjustments of asset balances.
  • Completion of monthly and quarterly Balance Sheet analysis for local and regional review for all agencies within our location.
  • Review and prepare as directed by the Financial Controller, multiple UK/Ireland entity’s Balance sheet reconciliations to ensure standard processes and formats are being adhered for all.
• Contract Compliance Accounting – Regular review and remediation of balances to be returned in line with contractual obligations and IPG financial policies.
• Review and remediation of outstanding and aged items within the Balance Sheet with relevant teams, key areas being WIP and Accounts Receivable.
• VAT Quarterly Reconciliation and Remittance to Inland Revenue on consolidated group return per set deadline for the UK / and Ireland branch entity.
• Review intercompany balance reports distributed by Shared Services and work with them to resolve any aged balances.
• Audit Projects, such as:
  • Client audits called in line with contractual terms.
  • US GAAP review of all areas of the Balance Sheet and P&L.
  • Statutory Accounts (UK GAAP) full scope review on all entities
• Assist Financial Controller on preparation of Statutory Accounts and Tax Computations over relevant statutory entities.
• Management of FX Manager to ensure time bound tasks are completed within schedule.
• Ad hoc tasks as directed by the Financial Controller and Director, Financial Control.

Desired Skills & Experience

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise tasks
• Intermediate level Excel skills
• 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 a driven and independent individual, keen to further their career and experience new challenges. An ability to work to multiple tight deadlines is a pre-requisite, with high levels of organisation. Management experience is ideal but not essential, but an ability to delegate effectively is.