GroupM is the world’s largest media investment company and are a part of WPP. In fact, we are responsible for one in every three ads you see globally. We are currently looking for a Financial Controller to join us. In this role, you will be responsible for leading the full spectrum of accounting and finance functions and also supporting the Business Leaders in client servicing, new businesses and resolving finance related issues.

Reporting of the role

This role reports to the Head of Finance – Hong Kong

3 best things about the job:

1. Being a leader and part of the biggest media services group in HK and the Globe
2. Working within a developed and systemic finance team, and in charge of the financial aspects of world class media agency and the group
3. Acting as the finance partner for Managing Directors and Business Leaders

Measures of success –

In three months:

Adapted to GroupM’s values and worked in a dynamic and fast paced environment

• Learnt the processes and key drivers of our business and fully understand how the business operates
• Built relationships with the leading professionals within the organization

In six months:

• Made comments on the agency’s financial performance and involve in the daily operation of the business and hands on in the supporting functions
• Identified key areas and opportunities for improvement and growth
• Fully managed the finance team and worked independently
• Started to drive process improvements and delivering meaningful financial analysis in support of the Group strategic planning process

In 12 months:

• Delivered the improvements that have resulted in cost savings and streamlined work flows.
• Contributed to the commercial aspects of our business and able to manage contract commitments and negotiations
• Advised the management team on the strategy and deployment of resources in order to facilitate the management of the business.

What your day job looks like at GroupM:

• Lead the full spectrum of accounting and finance functions which include operation, reporting, taxation, governance and compliance, budgeting and forecasting of its Media Agency and GroupM Hub
• Manage daily accounts operations including maintaining general ledger, periodic financial statements and management reports
• Provide input to Management from the monthly analysis of Income Statement, Balance Sheet and various KPI reports.
• Oversee the daily assignments performed by Finance, and continually motivate the team to meet the finance objectives
• Conduct Planning, Forecasting and Budgeting with Agency and Group Functions
• Maintain SOX compliance and internal control system
• Support MD and Business Leaders in management of the agency and departments
• Play a proactive role to work with different Department Heads during the Budgeting/ Forecasting/ Pitch/ Commercial Review exercises
• Assist in drawing up and following up client contracts/ commitments (eg. commercial terms, pitch exercise and pricing)
• Liaise with auditors (external/ internal/ SOX), tax consultants and statutory bodies, where applicable
• Manage in the development and execution of ad-hoc projects, as required by various stakeholders from time to time.

Minimum qualifications:

• University degree major in Accounting/Finance or related discipline
• Professional accreditation as CPA or equivalent
• Qualified accountant with at least 12 years relevant experience in auditing and commercial experiences, preferably some with an advertising/media/marketing company                                               
• Management reporting and FP&A experience is essential
• Experience in external/ internal/ SOX audit exposure
• Knowledge in scaled and systematic accounting system is preferred
• Proactive, meticulous and able to work independently, efficiently and under pressure in a demanding and fast pace environment
• Good leadership, planning skills with ambitious
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, good interpersonal & communication skills with ability and confidence to work with all levels
• Good command of both written and spoken English and Chinese

More about GroupM

GroupM is the leading global media investment management group serving as the parent to WPP media agencies including Mindshare, MediaCom, Wavemaker, Essence and m/SIX, as well as the programmatic digital media platform, Xaxis, each global operations in their own right with leading market positions. GroupM’s primary purpose is to maximize the performance of WPP’s media agencies by operating as leader and collaborator in trading, content creation, sports, digital, finance, and proprietary tool development. GroupM’s focus is to deliver unrivaled marketplace advantage to its clients, stakeholders and people, and is increasingly working closely for the benefit of clients with WPP’s data investment management group, Kantar. Together, GroupM and Kantar account for over 50% of WPP’s group revenues of more than $20 billion.

Discover more about GroupM at www.groupm.com
Follow @GroupMWorldwide on Twitter
Follow GroupM on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/groupm

About Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s small yet highly dynamic and efficient media market means it gets to operate with agility. Its internet and digital penetration continues to grow year-on-year, and has the highest smartphone penetration in Asia Pacific at 87%, while tablet ownership clocks in at 57%. Hong Kong’s digital market boasts a healthy mix of local, regional and global players, providing new opportunities in the media space.

If you want a future in media and communications, and believe in Hong Kong’s belief of “work hard, play hard”, there is clearly no place more vibrant, challenging and exciting than Hong Kong, where opportunities for you to innovate and grow are unparalleled.