Financial Controller

WPP; Greater London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Equal opportunity employer

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

WPP Media is seeking a commercially minded Financial Controller to lead month-end close, reporting to group finance, ensuring deadlines and accuracy.

You'll manage P&L and balance sheet, perform variance analysis, oversee revenue recognition, balance sheet reconciliations, and support statutory submissions. The role also covers process improvements and audit coordination.

Hybrid working model with collaboration across teams; ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified candidates preferred.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) is required.
• Experience leading, developing and managing finance teams.
• Excellent organisational skills and strong attention to detail.
• Proactive, hands-on mindset with a solution-focused approach.
• Experience implementing process improvements and efficiencies.
• Ability to work independently and in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience using cloud-based accounting systems (Xero).
• Experience with financial consolidation and group reporting systems.
• Experience in media, marketing, advertising, technology, or SaaS sectors.
• Experience supporting audits, finance transformation programmes, or system implementations.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end, quarter-end, half-year and year-end close processes with accurate reporting.
• Deliver variance analysis and provide insights to stakeholders.
• Oversee revenue recognition in line with standards and policies.
• Ensure timely balance sheet reconciliations and resolve outstanding items.
• Support statutory reporting and year-end submissions.

Skills

Team leadership

Process improvements

Attention to detail

Collaborative work

Cloud accounting

Group reporting

Audit support

Media/SaaS exp

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

Xero

Consolidation systems

Job description

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands.

We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.
We work with the world's most valuable brands and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.
Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.
For more information, visit WPP.com.

We are seeking a commercially minded Financial Controller to join WPP Media. This role will be responsible for leading and managing the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, ensuring all deadlines are met and reporting is delivered accurately and efficiently.

The successful candidate will maintain robust financial controls, drive continuous process improvements, and support the delivery of a streamlined and effective reporting function. This function provides timely and accurate monthly reporting to WPP, including P&L and balance sheet submissions, as well as high-quality management information to support business decision‑making.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead the month-end, quarter-end, half-year, and year-end close processes, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Deliver insightful variance analysis, identifying key business drivers and providing recommendations to stakeholders.
• Oversee revenue recognition processes, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and company policies.
• Ensure balance sheet reconciliations are completed accurately and on time, resolving outstanding items promptly.
• Support statutory reporting requirements and year-end financial submissions.

Group Reporting & Stakeholder Management

• Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting packages to the wider group finance function.
• Ensure reporting requirements are met accurately and within agreed deadlines.
• Support the implementation of new reporting processes and requirements as the business evolves.

Team Leadership

• Provide guidance and support during key reporting periods and critical deadlines.
• Build capability within the team by sharing technical knowledge and promoting best practice.
• Maintain a strong financial control environment, ensuring compliance with internal policies, corporate governance standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Support both internal and external audit processes, coordinating responses and ensuring timely completion of audit requests.
• Continuously review and improve existing processes, driving efficiencies, automation, and stronger financial controls.

Business Partnering

• Partner with operational and commercial stakeholders across the business, building strong relationships and providing financial insight.
• Translate financial data into meaningful recommendations that support strategic and operational decision‑making.
• Deliver analysis on business performance, trends, risks, and opportunities to help drive growth and profitability.

Team Leadership

• Provide guidance and support during key reporting periods and critical deadlines.
• Build capability within the team by sharing technical knowledge and promoting best practice.

What you'll need:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).
• Experience leading, developing, and managing finance teams.
• Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with a positive, solution‑focused mindset.
• Experience identifying and implementing process improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience using Xero or other cloud‑based accounting systems.
• Experience working with financial consolidation and group reporting systems.
• Experience within the media, marketing, advertising, technology, or SaaS sectors.
• Experience supporting audits, finance transformation programmes, or systems implementations.

Who you are:

You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures for our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

What we'll give you:

Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work.

Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.