Financial Controller

Role Summary:

The Finance Controller is responsible for overseeing the financial health of the advertising agency, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and effective cash-flow management. This role partners closely with account management, media, and leadership teams to support project profitability, client billing, and strategic decision-making in a fast-paced agency environment.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in line with accounting standards
• Manage general ledger, journal entries, accruals, and reconciliations
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis
• Provide financial insights and performance reports to senior management

Client Billing & Revenue Control

• Oversee client billing for retainers, projects, and media spend
• Ensure timely and accurate invoicing aligned with client contracts and scopes of work
• Monitor WIP (Work in Progress), revenue recognition, and project profitability
• Manage accounts receivable and follow up on overdue payments

Cost Control & Profitability

• Track job costing, utilization rates, and gross margins by client and project
• Partner with account teams to improve cost control and profitability
• Monitor operating expenses and recommend cost-optimization strategies

Media & Vendor Management

• Oversee financial controls related to media buying and third-party vendors
• Ensure timely payment of media vendors and suppliers
• Reconcile media costs against client billings and media reports

Cash Flow & Treasury

• Manage cash-flow forecasting and working capital
• Oversee bank accounts, payments, and fund transfers
• Ensure adequate liquidity to support agency operations

Compliance & Controls

• Ensure compliance with tax regulations, statutory filings, and audits
• Coordinate with external auditors, tax advisors, and banks
• Maintain and improve internal financial controls and processes

Team Leadership & Systems

• Manage and develop the finance and accounts team
• Oversee accounting systems, ERP, and finance tools used by the agency
• Drive process improvements and automation within finance operations

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of accounting, project costing, and billing
• Excellent analytical and financial modeling skills
• High attention to detail with strong organizational abilities
• Ability to communicate financial insights to non-finance stakeholders
• Proactive, hands-on, and comfortable in a fast-moving creative environment

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelors degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field
• Professional qualification (CA preferred)
• 1012 years of finance experience, preferably within an advertising, media, or professional services firm
• Experience managing teams and working with senior leadership