Client Budget Analyst

Havas Media Network; Toronto; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Havas Media Network is hiring a Client Budget Analyst to oversee financial operations related to client media campaigns in a fast-paced environment. The role requires strong analytical skills and project management ability to support budget management processes and collaborate effectively with internal teams and clients.

Qualifications

• Minimum 0-3 years of experience in media/finance at a large media agency.
• Strong analytical and project management skills required.

Responsibilities

• Track and manage client media budget purchase orders and authorizations.
• Lead monthly client budget meetings and collaborate with various teams.
• Ensure timely reconciliation of budgets and billing.

Skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Excel skills

Education

College Degree in Finance or Marketing

Tools

Mediaocean

Job description

The role of a Client Budget Analyst is integral to the smooth operation of Havas client accounts. This position demands precision, analytical skills, financial acumen, and a proactive approach to managing the financial aspects of clients’ media campaigns. As a Client Budget Analyst, you'll be responsible for ensuring that our client's media plan to pay journey is accurately budgeted, forecasted, tracked, and reconciled. Providing vital support to the client directly and to Havas' internal media planning and buying teams. Your role will be a bridge connecting various stakeholders, ensuring clarity and efficiency in the Client's budget management.

Job Description:

We are seeking a Client Budget Analyst to join our team at Havas Media Group. In this role, you will be at the forefront of financial operations, handling budget reconciliations, monitoring account details, and developing your problem-solving abilities within the advertising industry. This position offers a dynamic and fast-paced work environment, perfect for individuals looking to make a significant impact in media budget management.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• 15% - Track client media budget purchase orders (POs) and authorizations (MAF/SOW)
• 40% - Manage and quality assure client PO/MAF/authorizations against media placements
• 20% - Manage and track client invoicing against client PO budgets and authorizations, and QA planning tool actualization updates.
• 10% - Lead monthly client budget meetings with client brand leads in collaboration with the Havas media planning lead
• 5% - Collaborate with the media control, commercial, FP&A, and AR/Collection teams to ensure smooth monthly financial closing
• 5% - Collaborate among biddable and investment teams to resolve buy entry issues
• 5% - Support internal and client audit needs and ad hoc reporting requirements on a monthly, quarterly, or biannual basis

Specific Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with Client Brand and internal Havas planning leads to identify media activities for billing, from planned budgets to final reconciliation
• Develop client-specific Budget that reconciles the client's authorized spend against media flowcharts and internal media buying & financial systems
• Understand the media flowchart and liaise with the media control and planning team to reconcile media placement against the client budget
• Use Mediaocean systems to pull and review relevant reports (financial summaries, client activity reports, insertion order summaries, estimate log reports) to ensure all media activity is accounted for; follow up with the activation team where necessary
• Establish timelines related to billing and media budget/flowchart reconciliation
• Work with various teams to support processes, resolve billing issues, and maintain consistent communication with the Account and Media teams on budget status updates
• Ensure media campaign actualization and billing timelines are met, and proactively raise any potential delay concerns
• Support, audit, and enforce new process rollouts across all team members, troubleshoot common issues, and serve as an escalation point for blockers
• Coordinate unclear campaigns with media control and the investment team to ensure timely supplier invoice clearance, compliance, and payment to media partners
• Facilitate communication between activation and the client finance team to ensure timely reconciliation in compliance with company policies and contractual obligations
• Clarify any budget discrepancies with the Client Brand Team and/or Media Buyers/Planning Leads
• Prepare client billing and budget package, including cover memo and required supporting documents and reports
• Collaborate with the commercial and FP&A team to deliver accrual/deferral requirements
• Manage billed vs. unbilled reports, revenue postings, and accruals across clients.
• Prevent errors and review deferrals and accruals by reviewing billing before issuing it to clients
• Review commission structures based on SOW/MSA and ensure compliance & accuracy
• Work closely with the Commercial Lead and Billing Specialist to verify commission structures
• Monitor client master billing and miscellaneous reports to ensure accurate commission postings and accruals for the commercial team and month-end reporting
• Monitor production system “open job” reports of estimate and reconciliation billing (where applicable)
• Support internal and external audit needs
• Flag and escalate any audit and budget management concerns to the managing partner
• Act as the central point of contact for clients for all items mentioned above

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications Required:

• Minimum of 0-3 years of experience in media/finance at a large media agency
• College Degree in Finance or Marketing required, or equivalent work experience
• Preference for candidates with knowledge of Digital, Broadcast, and Print media
• Strong analytical, project management, and Excel skills are required, along with the ability to discuss financial concepts
• Interpret financial terms in layman's terms to clients and internal key stakeholders
• Previous knowledge of standard media billing processes and the media industry is preferred
• Understanding of media planning fundamentals, including buying approaches and metrics such as GRPs, CPMs, impressions, etc.
• Ability to analyze how clients obtained numbers and produce clear backup documentation that can be understood quickly by others
• Ability to maintain calm and professional behavior at all times, including on the phone, email, in person, and in virtual meetings (Teams/Zoom)
• Ability to identify ways to improve budget reporting, tracking, and processes
• Ability to establish trust, good working relationships, and understanding with various teams and clients to ensure flawless execution
• Quality Control: Must be able to identify errors in your own and others' work
• Resourceful and proactive
• Exhibits a strong business work ethic and client orientation
• Possesses strong written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Quick learner and effective team player
• Motivated and ready to begin
• A problem-solver who approaches challenges with a constructive attitude.
• Capable of working independently; entrepreneurial, yet values collaboration for effective teamwork and ideas
• Enjoys resolving complex problems and views numbers as an interesting challenge, particularly when working with a supportive team

ABOUT HAVAS MEDIA NETWORK NORTH AMERICA:

Havas Media Network North America is the Media Experience agency. We deliver this brand promise through our proprietary Mx System, where meaningful media helps build more meaningful brands. Our focus is on understanding the most Meaningful Media – the media channels, moments, and brands that move consumers to action, the media that is trusted, engaging, and influential will have the best chance of helping an advertiser reach an engaged audience.

Our global mission to make a meaningful difference starts at home – because we can’t grow if our people can’t grow. It’s this simple but oftentimes overlooked insight that guides everything we do, from the decisions and investments made in our work for clients to the inclusive programs that prioritize our people’s needs and the needs of our community.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Associate

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Advertising

• Industries

  Advertising Services

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