Financial Controller
Financial Controller + New York + Hybrid Flexible 2-3 days
Overall Objective
The successful candidate will have the ability and willingness to be the sole finance figure in a satellite office, with support from the UK Finance team. This is a hands-on role that provides exposure to a wide array of finance tasks, including business partnering, client/supplier management, management accounts preparation, and employer tax filings.
Job Purpose
- Manage the day-to-day activities of the finance department and ensure that appropriate systems and internal controls are in place to maintain the financial health of the entity.
- Partner with the Americas MD to provide timely and clear insights into portfolio financial performance, assisting in making informed, financially sound decisions to enhance business performance.
- Build financial awareness across Account Management teams, ensuring that financial literacy becomes a core skill within the business unit.
Experience, Qualifications, and Core Skills
- CPA/CFP/ACCA qualification (or international equivalent).
- Proven expertise in a similar working environment.
- Fluent in both written and spoken English.
- Strong understanding of financial accounting and commercial business operations.
- Prior experience in US payroll and employer filings.
- Familiarity with financial and operational systems.
- Proficient in all components of Microsoft Office.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and proactive in all aspects of work.
Additional Key Qualities
Essential
- Excellent communication skills for effective engagement with both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
- Strong sense of responsibility toward the organization’s reputation.
- Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively.
- Highly organized, with the ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
- Strong sense of pride in delivering high-quality work.
- Industry experience of 5+ years preferred.
- Ambitious and career-focused.
Specific Responsibilities
Business Partnering:
- Collaborate with the MD to optimize finance and business decisions that improve financial performance.
- Prepare monthly management reports and ensure the MD has a comprehensive understanding of the figures and KPIs, enabling them to present confidently to the CEO.
- Assist in preparing rolling forward-look forecasts to ensure robust visibility of future performance.
- Track time utilization and work with MD/BDs to rectify any deviations from targets.
Project Finance Management:
- Partner with project leads to manage project budgets, ensuring margins and third-party expenses are aligned with forecasts.
- Ensure the MD remains informed of the financial health of projects in their portfolio.
Cost and Revenue Forecasting:
- Own the cost forecasting process for staffing and overheads, ensuring budget adherence and communicating any variances to the MD/HoF.
- Oversee revenue forecasting and reporting.
Payments and Expenses:
- Oversee US Inc payment runs, ensuring supplier onboarding processes are followed and payments are made according to terms.
- Review and approve employee expenses and supplier invoices, ensuring accurate coding of costs.
Payroll and Tax Compliance:
- Review payroll, perform monthly payroll reconciliations, and ensure employer tax filings are completed.
- Support the Ops/HR team with payroll-related queries.
Cash Flow Management:
- Actively manage the cash flow of the business to ensure liquidity.
- Conduct the first review of supplier contracts.
Client Billing and Accounts Receivable:
- Ensure timely client billing and that payments are received according to agreed terms.
Tax and Regulatory Compliance:
- Oversee all employer tax matters and corporate filing requirements, in collaboration with the Tax Team.
RFP and Pricing Support:
- Assist project leads with RFPs for existing clients.
- Help define rate cards and develop commercial pricing for new tenders.
Ad Hoc Projects and Audit Support:
- Work on special projects and provide analysis to the HoF and FD.
- Assist with the annual audit process.
Process Improvement and Training:
- Develop and document robust processes, ensuring they are effectively communicated across the agency.
- Lead value-adding initiatives, including system enhancements, agency training, and KPI development.