Senior Associate, Client Finance

Description

Position at GroupM

Senior Associate, Client Finance

ABOUT THE ROLE:

In this role, you will provide financial management and analysis for Wavemaker's client finance group. You will serve as the finance contact for a portfolio of clients in addition to providing support to Finance Directors on their accounts. You will also provide financial analysis and reporting to inform financial business decisions and ensure all financial aspects of each client are effectively managed. This role will require you to forecast company revenue/billings, review scopes of work, and price staff plans. In addition, you will maintain the overall integrity of the financial and management reporting process and ensure compliance with all SOX and specific client requirements.

• Assist in forecasting, analyzing, and reporting revenue by client consistent with Wavemaker policies and GAAP; analyze resource allocation and utilization; analyze company profitability by client and by individual service line (planning, buying, interaction, etc.).
• Operational / Administrative account setup and maintenance: (setting up codes, receivables, billing issues, estimates, work with GroupM Finance team on various issues)
• Support overall budgeting and re-forecasting efforts; submit Monthly Flash, Quarterly Forecast, and Annual Operating Budget; provide in-depth reporting to FP&A team, and lead Client Finance Director.
• Work with GroupM to help manage accounts payable and accounts receivable processes to ensure timely billing and sufficient cash flow for the agency. Oversee the collection of past-due accounts; ensure adherence to contract billing policies; provide summaries of monthly billing and reconciliations.
• Support the Wavemaker lead on all SOX audit compliance items, including working with Controllership on implementation and monitoring, collaborating with the Client Finance team on monthly processes to satisfy WPP control requirements, support on all SOX compliance matters both internally and externally.
• Work with Controllership with regards to Sarbanes Oxley process compliance (implementation and monitoring), as well as support various audit compliance efforts (internal and external).
• Partner with client Account Directors to maintain expert and fluid knowledge of client's business models, contractual arrangements, key strengths, and opportunities.
• Proactively document and follow up on any budgeting, billing, invoicing, or payment issues that pertain to Clients.
• Manage day to day Finance responsibilities on Clients including but not limited to client/product/job set up (putting together due diligence forms such as checking sanctions and gathering of credit insurance reports / D&B reports, making sure SOWs are signed before creating job codes, etc.) , ad hoc reporting, setting up production vendors and processing vendor invoices as well as managing any vendor payment issues.
• Manage manpower actuals and accruals for client review.

• 1-2+ years of experience in finance and accounting
• Business degree required.
• Marketing & Communications Services / Media and Advertising industry experience desired, experience in Digital media a plus.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Detail-oriented with the ability to see big picture and work on diverse projects.
• Proactive mindset with the ability to provide creative solutions to complex problems.
• Strong time management and organizational skills; ability to work independently.
• Exceptional Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Media Ocean (DDS) knowledge a plus.