Group Director of Financial Reporting and Control - WPP Media UK

GroupM; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media company is seeking a Finance Leader to drive the evolution of their Controllership function. This role involves overseeing financial reporting, audits, and the application of innovative AI strategies. The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with experience in the media sector, capable of leading high-performing teams and managing complex stakeholder relationships.

Benefits

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Continuous learning opportunities

Flexible working conditions

Qualifications

• Significant recent experience from audit practice required.
• Experience in Media, Advertising or equivalent.
• Ability to influence key senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team responsible for financial reporting and audits.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS and WPP Accounting policies.
• Oversee internal and external audit processes.

Skills

Analytical skills

Continuous improvement

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

AI Innovation

Education

Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, or equivalent)

Job description

About WPP Media u00A0
WPP is a creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our HR, u00A0
planet, clients and communities. WPP Media is WPPu2019s global media collective. In a world where media is u00A0
everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, HR, and part ners together to create limitless u00A0
opportunities for growth. For more information, v isit www.wppmedia.com u00A0
The UK is the largest market within the WPP Media EMEA region, where 4,500+ HR are employed within the u00A0
WPP Media ecosystem. Marquee UK key clients include the likes of Amazon, BT, Tesco, Coca Cola, Bayer, u00A0
Dell, Unilever, M&S, Ford, Nestle, Mazda, Danone and Colgate. u00A0
We have a bold ambition: to make WPP Media UK the undisputed leader in our industry, the place where u00A0
everyone aspires to work and build a thriving career. u00A0
The Opportunity u00A0
WPP Media is transforming! We are evolving our business operating model, our ways of working and placing u00A0
data, technology and AI at the heart of everything we do for our people and our clients. As part of this u00A0
transformation journey, we are evolving our Finance function and capabilities, to partner with the business to u00A0
deliver our overarching growth strategy. This is an opportunity to support the UK Chief Financial Officer in u00A0
transforming our Controllership function to be a future facing, data driven, technologically advanced u00A0
capability that strategically supports WPP Media. u00A0
This finance leadership role will oversee the evolution of our UK Controllership function in collaboration with u00A0
the CFO UK and be a passionate advocate for an exceptional employee journey, and the architect of a truly u00A0
high-performing culture. u00A0
u2022
u2022
Reports to: WPP Media UK CFO u00A0
Primary collaborators: UK Finance Leadership Team, being Director of FP&A, Chiefu00A0Commercial u00A0
Finance Officer, Finance Director of Operations and Finance Director of Proprietary Trading u00A0
Direct Reports: Agency Senior Financial Controllers (8), Head of Financial Reporting & Control u00A0
u2022
Role Summary and Impact u00A0
Leadership of the controllership specialism at WPP Media, leading a team of c.60 u00A0
u2022
u2022
Financial Reporting: Accountable for the on-time completion of financial reporting in line with the u00A0
WPP Reporting Calendar, which comprises monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and annual submissions. u00A0
Statutory Audit: Accountable for on-time delivery of Group audit, statutory audits and SOX providing u00A0
oversight and guidance to the Senior Financial Controllers supporting each statutory audit, and as the u00A0
main point of escalation for external auditors when issues or delays arrive. u00A0
u2022
Balance Sheet Integrity: Accountable for the robustness of the UK market balance sheet. Lead u00A0
monthly balance sheet reviews with each Senior Financial Controller to ensure that IFRS and WPP u00A0
Accounting Policies are being followed and that aged or subjective balances are being proactively u00A0
managed. u00A0
u2022
u2022
Control remediation: Co-ordinate controllership team delivery of Internal Audit, Sox Testing and u00A0
Trading Audits (the latter in relation to controllership activities only). Lead the remediation of u00A0
deficiencies noted in the aforementioned audits. u00A0
Controllership Strategy: In partnership with the UK CFO, define the strategy for controllership in the u00A0
market, including defining roles and responsibilities both within the controllership specialism, and u00A0
where the team partners with other financial specialisms such as Operations, Commercial and FP&A. u00A0





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Resourcing: Ensure that the team is adequately resourced, and that workload is balanced across the u00A0
team, escalating hiring needs to the UK CFO. Promote a high-performance work ethic within the team u00A0
and lead by example in prioritising training and career growth. u00A0
Taxation: Accountable for the accurate and on-time submission of tax deliverables, e.g. Corporation u00A0
Tax returns, VAT Returns and PSA submissions. Partner with experts in Direct and Indirect tax to apply u00A0
best practice to the UK market. Lead in taking a proactive approach to tax risk management. u00A0
Technical Accounting: Accountable for the application of IFRS and WPP Accounting policies in UK u00A0
market. Responsible for drafting or reviewing technical accounting papers on areas of judgement. u00A0
Enhance the creation and storage of this documentation to serve as a reference point for the team. u00A0
Process: leads initiatives to enhance operational efficiency within financial reporting, reviewing u00A0
existing processes and implementing innovative solutions to streamline practices. u00A0
Technology: Embrace the application of the AI tools available to the team via WPP Open. Champion u00A0
the application of AI to controllership tasks and ensure that successful innovation is consistently u00A0
applied across the team. u00A0
u2022
u2022
Essential Skills and Characteristics u00A0
u2022
u2022
Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, or equivalent) with strong PQE u00A0
Significant and recent experience required from audit practice to be able to understand audit u00A0
approaches and challenges as appropriate u00A0
u2022
u2022
u2022
u2022
u2022
u2022
Ideally experience within Media, Advertising or equivalent u00A0
IFRS Accounting u00A0
Ability to influence key senior stakeholders acrossu00A0finance u00A0
Strong analytical skills, proactive and investigative mindset u00A0
Desire for continuous learning & improvement u00A0
Experience of Auditor transition is desirable u00A0
Key areas of interest: u00A0
u2022
AI Innovation & Implementation: Exposure to, or a natural curiosity in, how AI can be used in HR to u00A0
drive efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and enhanced employee experiences. u00A0
Team Leadership & Development: Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing u00A0
people teams, with a focus on elevating capabilities and fostering a culture of curiosity and u00A0
continuous learning u00A0
u2022
u2022
u2022
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Driving Organizational Change: A successful track record of leading and implementing change or u00A0
new processes initiatives within finance and across the broader organization u00A0
Complex Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to navigate and influence diverse internal u00A0
and external stakeholders u00A0
Excellent Communication Skills: Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills, adaptable to u00A0
various audiences u00A0
u2022
u2022
DEI Champion: A genuine commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace u00A0
Client-Centric Mindset: A focus on delivering exceptional service internally and externally u00A0
WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination u00A0
or regard to particular characteristics. u00A0