ET Project Accountant

Why we're hiring:

WPP is the creative transformation company. We build better futures for our people, clients and communities. With a global network of agencies, we deliver transformative ideas and outcomes for our clients through an integrated offer of communications, experience, commerce and technology.

The ET Finance Project Accountant is a key player within the Enterprise Technology (“ET”) Finance team, supporting the finance function as we reset the budget and recharge process. This role will have significant interaction with the ET function and finance teams across WPP’s Networks and operating companies. This role will be instrumental in ensuring the accurate and efficient financial management of ET initiatives across the organisation.

Reporting to the ET Finance Strategy Director, this role will be responsible for project execution, financial analysis, and reporting. The ideal candidate will possess a strong accounting and financial modelling background, experience handling large and complex data sets, proven project management skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced,

What you'll be doing:

Project Management:

• Contribute to the successful execution of ET Finance projects, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Maintain and input into project plans, track progress, and identify and mitigate potential risks.
• Support with the co-ordination of various finance stakeholders across the organisation, including finance, tax, treasury, technology and operational teams to collect, cleanse and model data.
• Support the ET Finance Strategy Director in driving project initiatives and achieving strategic objectives.

Budgeting and Forecasting:

• Assist in the management of actual costs incurred.
• Support the preparation of annual budgets, forecasts, and variance analysis.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather budget requirements and ensure alignment with overall business objectives.
• Build complex financial models with large and complex datasets to support strategic decision-making.
• Perform financial analysis, including trend analysis, variance analysis, and profitability analysis (Actual vs Budget).
• Develop and maintain financial models to support budgeting, forecasting, and investment decisions.
• Provide insights based on financial analysis to improve business performance.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.
• Prepare presentations ready for delivery to senior management.
• Adopts flexible and adaptable approach to changing business requirements and priorities to ensure strategic objectives are met, including ad-hoc projects/requests.

Process Improvement:

• Support with the identification of opportunities to improve financial processes and systems.
• Support with the development and implementation of process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Support with documentation and maintenance of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Stay abreast of industry best practices and emerging trends in finance and technology.

 

What you'll need:

• A full accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CA).
• Proven track record of effective delivery in a fast-paced environment with challenging deadlines under pressure, including through change and year-end close periods.
• Experience in Public Accounting (Big 4 preferable) is desirable.
• In-depth knowledge of accounting standards (IFRS) is desirable.
• Previous financial reporting experience with large (preferability UK and/or US listed) complex and multi-currency group consolidations and financial reporting issues.
• Sound analytical skills, accuracy with figures, and exercise sound judgment in developing modelling assumptions.
• Ability to communicate with people tactfully and effectively particularly to explain data and information requirements.
• Sound project management skills - able to meet multiple deadlines under pressure.
• Self-motivated, comprehends and responds constructively to instructions.
• Good time management and organisational skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint and Word.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) is desirable.
• Experience with handling large data sets and data visualisation tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) is highly desirable.
• Experience or understanding of IT finance principles and practices is preferred.

Personal Attributes:

• Proactive and delivery-oriented.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Adaptable and flexible in a changing environment.
• Committed to continuous learning and professional development.

 

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 or 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?

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