Director, Accounting and Reporting, GBS Finance

WPP is the transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients, and communities.

Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 100,000 accomplished people in 110 countries. We create transformative ideas and outcomes for its clients through an integrated offer of communications, experience, commerce, and technology. WPP and our award-winning agencies work with most of the world's biggest companies and organisations – from Ford, Unilever and P&G to Google, HSBC, and the UN. Our clients include 61 of the FTSE 100, 325 of the Fortune Global 500, all 30 of the Dow Jones 30 and 62 of the NASDAQ 100.

WPP has headquarters in New York, London and Singapore and a corporate presence in major markets worldwide. We are quoted on the London Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. Key performance indicators for WPP (2020) include Billings of £46.9bn ad Revenue of £12bn.

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Reporting to the Managing Partner, GBS Finance as a highly valued member of the leadership team, you will lead the creation and operation of an Shared Service Center Accounting and Reporting function to service the North American WPP operating companies, bringing professionalism and systemization to the overall function.

You will help design the processes, systems and organization to align with the WPP Group target operating model, global process and organization design standards and chosen specialized tools as well as WPP policies.  You will manage and monitor the performance and delivery of processes from the WPP SSC Offshore Center in India, ensuring end to end quality of service in collaboration with the Functional Lead of the Offshore Center, and the WPP Shared Services Central Team and Leadership.

You will participate in bringing the vision of the WPP transformation program to life in the North American market, with a particular focus on the Accounting function across North America, as it evolves, and participate in the design and deployment of a new ERP, Workday, across WPP in North America. 

YOUR KEY AEAS of FOCUS:

• Design and build the North American Accounting and Reporting Onshore team to deliver standardized and streamlined processes, which will be delivered by process organized teams, in line with global standards and design concepts. Functions include General Ledger, Reporting, Reconciliations, Tax Compliance and Reporting, Treasury Operations and Master Data Management
• Migration of processing work to the center from current delivery models and locations which are highly fragmented, both in location and technology
• Provide high quality services at an appropriate cost level, based on a right-sized and skilled organization. Ensure shared services teams are appropriately trained and experienced to deliver and drive continuous process training
• Develop a strong service culture, providing measurable quality of service at all levels of the shared service center to WPP Operating Businesses, while ensuring compliance is at the heart of all shared service center operations
• Focus on continuous improvement, efficiencies and effectiveness monitoring with a keen eye on keeping cost down with no quality erosion. Identify and drive automation opportunities to accomplish process and cost improvement objectives
• Work with the program team to understand and develop the roadmap for the Workday Finance solution (including new releases) and the impact that this will have on Finance processes as a whole; Participate in the detailed design and deployment of this new ERP providing guidance on Accounting, Reporting and Master Data Management functional areas

ABOUT YOU:

• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing an Accounting and Reporting function within a finance shared service model. CPA required
• Operated within a large, complex organization, preferably with responsibility across multiple geographies
• Strong functional Finance background, with significant experience in controls and compliance and driving quality and cost-effective standardization and simplification
• Established people manager with demonstrable coaching and leadership experience, able to grow and develop a large high standard team and influence effectively
• Experience in ERP and Process design and deployment and appreciate the complexities of major program delivery
• Capable of inspiring people and holding senior peers accountable while maintaining strong internal relationships
• Strategic thinker with command of the details, with excellent issue resolution skills.
• A strong commercial and analytical approach, with a pragmatic style
• An exceptionally strong stakeholder manager and relationship builder, able to communicate, motivate and influence at all levels
• A positive attitude; willing to learn and challenge the status quo

We’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.

We’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 confidence: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

We’re extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we deliver extraordinary every day.

What we'll give you:

Passionate, inspired people – We promote a culture of people that 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?

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.

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