Group Financial Controller (Fixed Term Contract)

Group Financial Controller

M&C Saatchi Group has gone through exciting and significant change since 2018. The Finance team has played a leading role in this turnaround, with the rest of the company looking to them to bring about the change. The business has ambitious growth plans.

We are looking for a Group Financial Controller and, as this is a developing role, there is scope for involvement with a wide variety of areas and projects. This is an ideal opportunity for a talented, high-energy candidate to make a mark in the Finance team.

This is an 11 month Fixed Term Contract, full-time role based in our London office on a hybrid basis, with an average of three days in the office, reporting to the Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

ABOUT THE ROLE

The role is an essential part of the Group Finance team for M&C Saatchi, supporting the implementation of the financial accounting and reporting agenda across the globe. The role will ensure:

1. the provision of financial information for external reporting is timely, accurate and compliant with IFRS.
2. the high-quality consolidation and reporting of the M&C Saatchi Group financial results on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
3. the local finance teams and the new Finance Hub in Cape Town are provided with high quality financial accounting and reporting support on all aspects of financial accounting and reporting.
4. the business is provided with sound and clear technical accounting guidance (including written technical accounting papers) on any matter arising, including the impact of changes to IFRS standards.
5. the local finance teams and the new Finance Hub in Cape Town are provided with high quality training and support to improve the compliance with the Group's financial and reporting policies.
6. the external audit cycle is delivered to a high quality and on a timely basis.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Accounting & Reporting (60%)

1. Lead the completion on time of the Group consolidated statutory accounts (First Half and Full Year) and Annual Report.
2. Oversee the accurate and timely consolidation and reporting of the Group's financial accounts, ensuring all Group consolidation journals are fully supported for audit purposes.
3. Perform monthly reviews and interrogation of monthly Actuals reported by the local Finance teams (P&L and Balance Sheet), ensuring they are compliant with IFRS and Group accounting policies.
4. Lead the development of new reporting formats and analytical tools with the Group Finance Systems team, to drive improved compliance and efficiency.
5. Lead the review of new IFRS requirements and/or regulatory issues and recommend how the business should prepare to meet them.
6. Lead the development of the Group accounting policies, ensuring they evolve with the business, and driving adherence globally.
7. Working together with the Group FD on the development, implementation and maintenance of a robust financial accounting and reporting control environment that adheres to the Group Finance policies and embeds best practice across the business.
8. Identify and recommend potential operational efficiencies in how the business undertakes its financial accounting including improvements to working practices and procedures.

External Audit (20%)

1. Lead the group audit process, working with the external audit team, to ensure they are provided with high quality information, and ensuring the audit is completed on time and with ever-reducing number of audit differences.

Technical Advice (10%)

1. Provide best in class technical accounting advice to the business through written technical accounting papers.
2. Support the identification and mitigation of accounting risks across the Group.
3. Provide ad hoc analysis as required.

Finance team development (10%)

1. Be an active part of the Group Finance team and lead the development of a professional, high performing function.
2. Coach and develop the team and members of the local Finance teams.

Specific projects and deliverables to be completed in 2024:

1. Create a new Cashflow review report in our consolidation system (Adaptive Insights).
2. Support the creation of the new Finance Hub in Cape Town.
3. Drive the finance team towards a control-based audit, working with our external auditors.

ABOUT YOU

The role requires an experienced qualified Accountant, who will bring energy and technical expertise to this dynamic, diverse, and highly creative company. You will need to be able to influence the local Finance teams to ensure accounting standards are continually improved.

You'll bring with you (experience and qualifications):

1. ACA Accountant qualification with extensive experience post-qualification (Big 4 preferred).
2. Experience in working with an offshore finance SSC.
3. A thorough understanding of control requirements and financial risks of a global advertising/media company, especially revenue recognition.
4. Experience in the production of monthly, half-yearly and annual consolidated accounts.
5. Audit experience of a fast-paced, ambitious, and multinational company.
6. Proven experience of technical accounting, with proven capability to communicate financial accounting requirements to stakeholders.
7. Strong stakeholder management skills.
8. Fluent English language skills. Other languages are an advantage.
9. Knowledge of the Media or Digital sectors an advantage, but not a requirement.

You're good at:

1. Communicating, influencing, collaboration and relationship-building across global cultures.
2. Paying as a team but are also capable of working alone.
3. Being curious, robust, and self-motivated, driving improved financial accounting discipline within a business.
4. Desire to drive improvements in the end-to-end financial accounting and reporting process.

WHAT YOU'LL GET

For the right candidate, we will offer a competitive salary and benefits package which includes 27 days annual holiday, private healthcare, employer contributory pension, and life assurance.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion sees us offer inclusive bank holidays, learning opportunities around DE&I, targeted mentoring programmes and the opportunity to participate in active Employee Led Networks and associated events.

ABOUT M&C SAATCHI GROUP

M&C Saatchi Group is a creative company that connects specialist expertise, fuelled by data, technology, and culture, to help clients navigate, create, and lead meaningful change. The Group operates across five core divisions: Connected Creativity; Passion Marketing; Global & Social Issues; Brand, Experience & Innovation; and Performance Media. Headquartered in London, operations span 23 countries with major hubs in the UK, Europe, US, Middle East & Africa, Asia and Australia. Listed on the FTSE AIM index of the London Stock Exchange, in the Technology, Media and Telecoms sector.

M&C Saatchi Group's two principles, Diversity of Thought and Brutal Simplicity of Thought, guide how they build teams and solve problems.

M&C Saatchi Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer which does not discriminate, celebrates diversity and bases all hiring and promotion decisions solely on talent and capability, without regard for any personal characteristics.

All employee information is kept confidential according to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).