Client Accounting Manager

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global communications company is seeking a Client Accounting Manager to oversee financial operations for client accounts. This role requires in-depth knowledge of financial processes and the ability to improve efficiencies. Candidates should have strong Excel skills and the ability to work effectively under tight deadlines. The company offers a hybrid working model, with three office days per week.

Qualifications

• Experience in financial operations and client account management.
• Knowledge of client and agency financial processes.
• Ability to streamline operations within the financial lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Manage financial operations for key client accounts.
• Support smooth booking, billing, and reconciliation processes.
• Onboard new clients adhering to financial best practices.
• Provide training on finance processes to client teams.
• Develop finance best-practice processes and implement automation.

Skills

Proficiency in MS Excel

Strong attention to detail

Organizational skills

Ability to meet tight deadlines

Eagerness to learn

Interest in enhancing systems

Job description

Company Description

Publicis Groupe is the world's largest communications holding company, present in over 110 countries and employing about 108,000 professionals. The Groupe is positioned at every step of the value chain, from consulting to execution, combining marketing transformation and digital business transformation.

OVERVIEW

Help our clients unlock growth in the platform world, a horizontal marketplace between creators and consumers, between speakers and listeners, between buyers and sellers. To thrive, companies must continuously innovate their products and business models. Four imperatives—Real Identity, Dynamic, Diverse and Disruptive Creativity, Smart Media, and Direct Relationships—through our suite of world‑class agencies, unlock growth for modern brands. We architect, build and orchestrate end‑to‑end solutions, building bespoke models and leading expertise across all major industry categories.

HELPING OUR CLIENTS UNLOCK GROWTH IN THE PLATFORM WORLD

At Publicis Groupe, we invest across these four imperatives to help clients unlock growth. We provide a 100,000‑strong network via Marcel, our AI‑based platform, giving instant access to resources and knowledge anytime, anywhere.

THE SPIRIT OF VIVA LA DIFFERENCE

Viva La Difference is deeply rooted in everything we do. It has always been part of our DNA. From the birth of Publicis, 94 years ago, when our founder Marcel Bleustein‑Blanchet invented French advertising, Viva La Difference expresses how we value and respect each individual and recognize what makes us distinctive. It inspires us to celebrate differences in identity, background, culture, and experience.

Overview

About Us

The Client Accounting team is a key part of the finance department, positioned between the Agency Account Teams and the Transactional Finance team in our Shared Service Centre.

Role Overview

The Client Accounting Manager will be responsible for a portfolio of client accounts and serves as the primary contact for all finance‑related queries and projects relating to those clients. Leveraging in‑depth knowledge of client and agency financial processes, the manager problem‑solves and streamlines operations, with an understanding of the entire financial lifecycle—from media planning and booking to invoicing and collections—to enable process improvements and contract compliance.

Core Responsibilities

• Manage the financial operations of key client accounts and serve as the finance lead for the account Business Directors.
• Support agency account teams to ensure smooth booking, billing, and reconciliation processes.
• Onboard new clients in line with financial best practices, considering factors such as global billing issues, foreign currency and withholding taxes.
• Escalate booking issues to client account teams for quick resolution and minimal disruption.
• Provide training for client teams on finance processes as needed.
• Ensure trade working capital KPIs are met by managing outstanding queries and escalating issues to management when necessary.
• Develop and implement finance best‑practice processes, playbooks and templates.
• Develop automation initiatives to enhance efficiency in manual workflows.
• Work with internal & external auditors, ensuring Groupe obligations and client contract compliance commitments are met.

Performance Metrics

• Achievement of trade working capital targets (Unbilled Media, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, WIP).
• Successful internal and external audit outcomes.
• Positive service delivery feedback from client and agency team members.

Required Skills

• Proficiency in MS Excel, including basic formulas and pivot tables.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and work independently.
• Eagerness to learn.
• Interest in enhancing systems and driving efficiencies through process improvements.

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Additional Information

Publicis Groupe operates a hybrid working pattern: full‑time employees are office‑based three days during the working week.

We support all candidates and are committed to a fair assessment process. If you have any circumstances (e.g., neurodiversity, physical or mental impairments, medical conditions) that may affect your assessment, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner. We will discuss possible adjustments to ensure fairness, and disclosing this information will not impact your treatment in our process.

Please visit the Publicis Career Page to explore our Inclusive Benefits and Employee Action Groups.