Group Business Controller

Wunderman Thompson, North America

Location:  North America (Any primary office in the USA)

Who we are:

At Wunderman Thompson we exist to inspire growth for ambitious brands. Part creative agency, part consultancy and part technology company, our experts provide end-to-end capabilities at a global scale to deliver inspiration across the entire brand and customer experience.  

We are 20,000 strong in  90 markets around the world; our people bring together creative storytelling, diverse perspectives, inclusive thinking, and highly specialized vertical capabilities to drive growth for our clients. We offer deep expertise across the entire customer journey, including communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology.

Company Background:

Wunderman Thompson was created in 2019 through the WPP merger of creative agency, J. Walter Thompson, and data-driven marketing shop, Wunderman, as part of an effort to maximize the group’s ability to create genuinely integrate solutions for clients that drive growth and stand out in a complex world of rising consumer expectations and disruptive technology. Part creative agency, part consultancy and part technology company, the agency is made up of experts across a wide range of disciplines—including CX, data and insights, CRM, brand consulting, creative development and production, technology, XP, and commerce—that all work together to deliver truly groundbreaking and revolutionary work, driving the mission of Inspiring Growth for Ambitious Brands.

Globally, the group is 20,000 strong in 90 markets. As a team, they bring together creative storytelling diverse perspectives, inclusive thinking, and highly specialized vertical capabilities in service of making a meaningful impact on clients’ businesses. In the United States and Canada, the agency is made up of more 3,500 experts spread out across the continent, from Boston to Atlanta, New York to Seattle, Chicago to Dallas. They mix creative, data and technology to help clients—including Best Buy, T-Mobile. Con Ed, Amazon, Volkswagon & Audi, Samsung, Unilever, Nestle and Microsoft (to name just a few) to navigate the ever-changing digital and physical world. Wunderman Thompson was recently named Integrated Agency of the Year by Campaign in UK . In 2021, they won Innovation Grand Prix at Cannes for its work with Degree deodorant. The agency is led by Mel Edwards, Global CEO, and in the US, Audrey Melofchik, CEO US.

https://www.wundermanthompson.com/

The Role:

Wunderman Thompson is looking for a proven Group Business Controller to lead multiple business units as well as work closely with our Executive and North American Finance & Accounting leadership teams. The ideal candidate will focus their time on all strategic and top-level tactical accounting efforts for multiple regional and national client groups within Wunderman Thompson. This person will be ambitious, collaborative, and motivated to work with diverse teams to enhance, develop, train, and execute a world-class accounting and financial operating model.

The ideal candidate must be deeply curious about new methodologies, financial technologies and thinking. They will be a passionate problem solver and a critical analyst who values innovative ideas, creativity, and elegant solutions. They will work closely with leadership as well as be interested in working across teams and improving both Wunderman Thompson’s and our clients’ businesses and bottom lines. They will understand the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and while eschewing silos, this person will be part of a team that shares a passion for finding great experiences, challenges existing ones, and inspires the future for our business.

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of the Group Business Controller, include:

• Lead the daily accounting operations for your assigned units, (e.g., oversight ensuring vendors are paid, directing new client setup, approval of operating transactions, review of account reconciliations, variance analysis, and resolving intercompany mismatches)
• Own the timely submission of our various financial reporting packages to our North American National and Regional Leadership Teams
• Ensure accounting policies and procedures are applied correctly and consistently
• Provide advanced technical and operational accounting guidance as needed (e.g. the proper application of revenue recognition, software capitalization and leases)
• Respond to executive and leadership queries related to reported figures
• Be responsible for the resolution of a diverse array of operational and executional challenges between our business units and other business units in our organization
• Manage, grow, and develop a team of accounting and finance professionals and collaborate closely with business operations leadership and client finance teams
• Assist in the collection, creation and reporting of Budget and Forecast financial information for your units
• Perform the control activities assigned to them within the internal control framework
• Review the internal control work completed by your team
• Coordinate and manage internal audits and external audits of our business units
• Manage the accounting team responsible for large regional and North American business units
  • Monthly submission of various financial reporting packages
  • Preparation of P&L analysis and commentary
  • Analysis of Balance Sheet account reconciliations
  • Review of the forecast submissions for your business units
• Assist Tax Team by responding to queries and collecting information for tax filings, including BEAT tax reporting, transfer pricing matters and business operating taxes
• Assist business unit client finance teams and assist in ad hoc projects as needed

Requirements:

• Previous as a Controller with experience (minimum of 4+ years) in an advertising, media, Management Consulting or technology company is preferable.
• Overall, this role will require a Minimum 9+ years relevant work experience.
• Experience in both accounting operations, e.g., close the books, and technical accounting, e.g., respond to queries on the proper application of accounting principles.
• Experience in public company environment and internal controls over financial reporting.
• Motivated professional capable of completing multiple tasks and satisfying deadlines in an environment that is dynamic.
• Experience in both accounting operations, (e.g., close the books), and technical accounting, (e.g., debits and credits)
• Experience in public company environment and internal controls over financial reporting
• Experience using the Workday ERP is beneficial
• CPA and/or related advanced degree, or related certifications helpful

Our Behaviors:

We believe we are what we do, not just what we say. Our behaviors show how to bring the Wunderman Thompson culture to life through the actions we take every day.

• Listening – We see conversation as a chance to discover and understand, not get a point across.
• In It Together – We’re at our best when we work together: with our clients, with our colleagues and with our partners.
• Creative Bravery – We challenge convention in every aspect of our work. Creative describes how we act, not the department we sit in.
• Positivity – We seek solutions to problems and always find a way forward. We bring passion and energy to every situation we encounter.

Wunderman Thompson is a WPP agency. For more information, please visit our website and follow Wunderman Thompson on our social channels: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Wunderman Thompson is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting and retaining the most qualified employees regardless of race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age or disability. We rely on legitimate interest as a legal basis for processing personal information under the GDPR for purposes of recruitment and applications for employment.