Commercial Finance Analyst

About Us

IPG Mediabrands is the media and marketing solutions division of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). Mediabrands manages approximately $40 billion in marketing investment globally on behalf of its clients and provides strategic services and solutions across its award-winning, full-service agency networks UM, Initiative and Mediahub and through its innovative marketing specialist companies Kinesso, Magna, Orion, Rapport, Healix, Mediabrands Content Studio and the IPG Media Lab. Mediabrands clients include many of the world’s most recognizable and iconic brands from a broad portfolio of industry sectors. The company employs more than 13,000 marketing experts in more than 130 countries representing the full diversity of humanity. For more information, please visit our website: www.ipgmediabrands.com.

Role Description

Mediabrands is looking for a proactive Commercial Finance Analyst to work closely with the Commercial Manager, Commercial Business Partner and accompanying agencies. You will be supporting the Commercial team to prepare accurate, monthly and full-year P&L budgets, forecasts and Ad-Hoc project work as required.  Scope for an enthusiastic candidate to implement and improve existing reports / ways of working moving into 2025. Progression within the team and Mediabrands is encouraged and quickly achievable with the right mindset.

Responsibilities include:

• Support the team in the preparation of accurate full year P&L budgets
• Maintaining up to date forecast files for the P&L including monthly revenue, costings and salary files by client.
• Working with the UK&I Reporting Team to provide variance analysis, financial evidence and other adhoc information as required by EMEA FP&A/RCT.
• Attend monthly revenue meetings, supporting the Commercial Manager prepare, analyse and review information provided for input into various critical reports.
• Assist with maintaining an up-to-date detailed salary cost forecast by individual and working closely with HR to monitor headcount, new starts/leavers and intercompany roles.
• Assist the Commercial team with the preparation of a monthly management information pack including YTD P&L performance vs budget/forecast, a P&L flash update and a debtors/WIP/unbilled summary for escalation.
• Assist the Commercial team with preparing client profitability analysis
• Review and analyse timesheet submissions on a monthly basis and address any discrepancies between actual and contracted hours. Providing the agency teams with timesheet analysis on a monthly basis.
• Assist the Commercial team with new business FTE proposals
• Opportunities to support in commercial key projects, audit and legal compliance work.
• Lead on the upload of financial information into our reporting tool (Forecast Wise).
• Preparing internal documents (ISRs) required to transfer revenue and costs in compliance with internal processes.
• Review financial evidence provided by client teams, ensuring amounts, documentation and payment methods are in place for revenue recognition.
• Become proficient in using MX Stats and DDS Media tools to run writer reports such as ME51/ NV.

Skills/Experience:

• Studying for or a desire to study towards a professional qualification such as ACA/ACCA/CIMA
• Hyperion experience desirable but not essential.
• Media industry experience desirable but not essential.
• The role is heavily excel based, a strong excel ability is essential.
• Attention to detail/ good analytical skills
• Positive attitude

Critical Competencies:

• Must show a proactive approach to problem solving
• Desire for continuous improvement
• Trustworthy; you will be working with commercially sensitive information daily so a strong business acumen is a must.
• Teamwork

Innovation/Initiative required