Revenue Controller

About WPP Media

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WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

1786 - Revenue Controller - Finance

Role Summary and Impact

This role sits within the Controllership pillar of the WPP Media UK Finance team primarily supporting the Wavemaker operating unit.  The role has full responsibility of the controllership and reporting of revenue for the Wavemaker unit and leads a team of 3.   

The Role Objective

The role has full ownership of revenue reporting in an accurate and timely manner to both WPP Media management and WPP Media EMEA. This requires working closely with the Commercial and FP&A teams to understand client revenue and providing insightful analysis to support those teams. This role assumes full responsibility of the P&L and balance sheet for all revenue related items, for delivering on all audit and SOX requirements and providing detailed variance analysis and exception reporting.  To be successful in this role, engagement with various parts of the business is required, often at different levels of seniority as well as being fully immersed in the objectives and culture of the Agency team(s) that you and your direct team work alongside to support

To be successful in this role, collaboration, adaptability, drive and engagement is of the highest importance as well as maintaining efficient control processes and promoting process improvement.

Responsibilities

Month-end process/ year-end & variance analysis

• Full ownership of Balance Sheet and P&L for Wavemaker revenue items, ensuring accuracy and integrity.


• Lead the end-to-end month-end revenue reporting process, delivering timely results with clear variance analysis vs. forecast and pro forma.


• Provide timely management information to Commercial, FP&A Finance, FinOps Leads, and Senior Leadership.


• Manage data input, validation, and extraction for reporting systems including Cartesis, DDS, and Adaptive.


• Lead and develop a team of two, delegating effectively and supporting training and capability growth.


• Compile and report monthly revenue recognised by client, supporting Client Leads and the Commercial Team.


• Oversee monthly revenue postings, net sales, billing commentaries, and related analysis.


• Drive process efficiencies and implement improved procedures for financial reporting and balance sheet reconciliations.


• Maintain general ledger accuracy and fully reconciled Balance Sheets for revenue-related items (accrued and deferred income).


• Oversee revenue controls and ensure SOX compliance, implementing enhancements where required.


• Ensure all revenue recognition aligns with IFRS 15 standards.


• Act as primary point of contact for Group audit and Financial Statements audits on revenue-related matters.


• Manage relationships with key stakeholders across Agencies, WPP Media UK, WPP Media EMEA, and Finance Plus.


• Produce ad-hoc reporting for the WPP Media UK Market CFO, Group Finance Director, and Head of FP&A

Group / WPP reporting

• Liaise with EMEA to resolve reporting queries


• Submit commentaries to EMEA on a monthly basis


• Submit SOX controls on monthly basis


• Deal with EMEA’s new reporting requirements


• Prepare and submit quarterly packages


• Prepare and submit the year-end packages

Business Partnering

• Business partnering through engagement with business on a regular basis including face-to-face meetings


• Adding value to operational teams through analysis, reporting etc.

Other and periodic

• Ensuring compliance with company policies and SOX requirements


• Continuously reviewing current processes and making improvements to allow better control or improved efficiencies


• Ad hoc projects as directed by SFC/Head of Accounting


• Dealing with Finance Plus on ad hoc queries

Skills and Experience

• Experience working with DDS / Media Ocean


• Experience working with Cartesis / BFC


• Media industry experience


• Experience working with SOX controls


• Audit trained

Essential

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA and CIMA)


• Intermediate / advance level of Excel (knowledge of sumIFs, sumIF, Pivot tables, VLOOKUP is essential)


• Organized with good attention to detail


• Quick to learn and adaptable to changing work allocation and able to prioritise workload to meet challenging deadlines


• Team management experience


• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills


• Strong communication & relationship building skills


• Enthusiastic with a can do attitude


• Ability to work independently and as part of a team


• Experience in setting up and improving processes

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. 

We Create an Open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days. 

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. 

Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location

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While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. 

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