Commercial Finance Analyst

I am delighted to represent this award winning and rapidly growing Creative Advertising Agency based in superb modern offices in Central Manchester.

This newly created Commercial Finance Analyst role will operate as part of a switched on and vibrant team of commercially focused, creative thinking professionals. The role will suit a like-minded person with a Finance background now seeking a more Commercial role and will require the individual to form strong working relationships with the client-facing agency fee earners.

Reporting jointly to the Commercial Finance Manager and operationally to the Agency Commercial Director, the key purpose of the role is to take ownership of the accurate accounting of Work In Progress (WIP) , time recording, billing and client reporting across the agency.

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Project creation metrics at the outset of each new Client campaign..
• Project time-sheet and expenses reconciliation.
• Project reporting to both agency Management and Client.
• Support individual fee earners and project teams to understand their WIP positions/proper and accurate recording.
• Regular detailed meetings with the agency teams to provide a robust "commercial challenge" in order to ensure true and accurate income recognition/client billing.
• Continuously seeking ways to improve operational metrics.

The successful candidate will be either a part-qualified, Finalist or qualified accountant; but much more important than the specific level of qualification/experience is the "right" personality and approach to "fit" and thrive in this fast moving, people oriented "buzzy" advertising agency business culture.

You must therefore have a highly sociable, outgoing personality with strong communication and interpersonal skills as well as high attention to detail and intermediate to advanced Excel skills to perform strongly in this role.

Understanding and experience of accounting for billable time in a similar professional services environment would be an advantage but not essential.

My client is flexible to make this exciting and challenging position either a full time position or alternatively a more flexible part time role if preferred; this could mean either 3-4 days/wk or perhaps 4-5 days at reduced c 10am-3pm working hours for example to meet work/life balance.

My client also offers a comprehensive salary package including competitive starting salary, annual bonus  and strong pension and healthcare schemes.

In addition, this is a truly meritocratic culture with regular reviews and ongoing opportunities for promotion and to widen the scope of your role.

If you are interested and feel you have the "right" profile to succeed in this Advertising Agency environment, we want to hear from you now - please send your latest CV to Martin Morgan, the retained consultant. All strong, relevant candidates can expect a prompt, direct response.