Sr Client Finance Manager

fluent360; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Company paid life/AD&D

Disability insurance

Generous PTO and sick leave policy

Paid gym membership

Summer hours

17 paid holidays

Flexible schedules

Job summary

fluent360 is seeking a Senior Client Finance Manager in Chicago to oversee core accounting operations, AP/AR cycles, month-end close, and complex client billing. You will partner with account management, project management, and the assigned client to ensure accurate reporting and strong controls.

Reporting to the SVP, Finance & Operations, this role requires 5-7 years in accounting operations or agency finance, advanced Excel, and client-facing communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance or equivalent.
• 5-7 years progressive experience in accounting operations or agency finance.
• Hands-on experience with AP, AR, controls, month-end close, and audits.
• Experience with government billing is preferred.
• Advanced MS Excel and MS Office; Workamajig knowledge preferred.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; client-facing capability.
• Ability to work independently and proactively.

Responsibilities

• Own the full AP process/cycle, such as vendor invoice entry and approvals.
• Own the full AR process, including invoicing, approvals, billing, cash application and collections.
• Reconcile monthly credit card statements and align with GL and departments.
• Investigate and resolve AP/AR/billing discrepancies promptly.
• Own monthly overhead budget reconciliation and cost reporting.
• Support payroll-related accounting and process improvements.

Skills

Accounts Payable

Accounts Receivable

Month-end close

Audits

Advanced MS Excel

Client communication

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Workamajig

Job description

The Senior Client Finance Manager will be responsible for core accounting operations and client-finance activities by ensuring the financial accuracy and accountability from daily AP/AR transactions through month-end close, complex billing, audits, and financial reporting for assigned client(s). This role partners closely with account management, project management, and the assigned client to maintain accurate records, reliable reporting and effective controls. The Senior Client Finance Manager reports to the SVP, Finance & Operations.

What You Will Do

Senior Client Finance Manager

The Senior Client Finance Manager will be responsible for core accounting operations and client-finance activities by ensuring the financial accuracy and accountability from daily AP/AR transactions through month-end close, complex billing, audits, and financial reporting for assigned client(s). This role partners closely with account management, project management, and the assigned client to maintain accurate records, reliable reporting and effective controls. The Senior Client Finance Manager reports to the SVP, Finance & Operations.

What You Will Do

Accounting Operations, AP, AR & Month-End Close

• Own the full accounts payable process/ cycle, such as vendor invoice entry, general-ledger coding, new-vendor setup, vendor inquiries, production and outside-vendor approval coordination
• Own the full accounts receivable process, including new-client setup, invoice creation and entry, internal approvals, monthly retainer billing, cash application, recording receipts and deposits, account reconciliation, collections follow-up, and resolution of client billing inquiries
• Reconcile the monthly credit card statement and record individual credit-card charges daily; revise credit-card approval forms to align with the general ledger, departments, and internal needs
• Investigate and resolve AP, AR, billing, and payment discrepancies promptly
• Own and execute the monthly overhead budget reconciliation process, ensuring overhead expenses are accurately recorded, properly allocated, and aligned with the approved budget
• Support payroll-related accounting and reconciliations as assigned, and maintain accurate records, controls, policies, procedures, and process improvements

Client Finance Management

• Serve as primary day-to-day finance contact for assigned client(s)
• Monitor client budgets and project activity and inform client of any identified potential financial risks
• Review employee timesheets weekly and communicate status, exceptions, and follow ups to Project Managers
• Prepare, maintain, and distribute utilization, burn reports, and other monthly financial reports
• Reconcile pre-billed and open production projects, research discrepancies, and coordinate corrections
• Prepare project billing and revenue schedules to support monthly revenue-recognition process
• Prepare and coordinate annual actual-cost submission
• Maintain complete and accurate supporting documentation in accordance with client’s contractual billing, financial reporting, and audit requirements
• Provide financial guidance and regular updates to account and project management teams supporting client

Your Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, related field or equivalent experience required
• 5-7 years progressive experience in accounting operations, client finance, or agency/professional-services finance
• Hands on experience owning AP, AR, financial controls, month-end close, and audit support
• Experience with complex government billing is preferred
• Advance MS Excel and MS Office skills required, knowledge of Workamajig is preferred
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, critical thinking skills, and attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with confidence to be a client-facing finance contact
• Ability to work independently and proactively

About Us

fluent360 is one of the foremost agency leaders shaping the multicultural marketing industry. Equal parts integrated marketing agency and cultural hub, we specialize in giving brands a resonating voice to effectively speak to various cultural segments– both ethnic and consumer niche followings. As a multi-talented, multicultural agency, we offer a full spectrum of communication services. Find out more about us at fluent360.com

Agency Benefits & Perks

• medical, dental and vision insurance
• company paid life/AD&D
• short-term and long-term disability
• a generous PTO and sick leave policy
• paid gym membership
• summer hours
• 17 paid holidays
• flexible schedules

fluent360 is an Equal Opportunity Employer, EEO, AAE, MF/Disability/Vet.

Our organization participates in E-Verify.

For more information visit https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.