Senior Manager – Technical Accounting: FTC

Senior Manager – Technical Accounting: 3 month FTC

London, England, United Kingdom

Why we’re hiring:

An opportunity to make an impact:
Join us as a Senior Manager to strengthen the WPP Group Technical Accounting team. This 3‑month Fixed‑Term Contract is designed to provide immediate impact while we search for a permanent hire. You’ll be instrumental in facilitating our ongoing growth and optimizing critical support for our global operating companies and other Group functions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Policy Analysis & Compliance:
  Proactively monitor, research, and interpret new and emerging accounting and regulatory policies to guarantee Group compliance with IFRS and other critical standards.
• Stakeholder Communication:
  Synthesize complex policy changes into clear, actionable insights and communicate implementation requirements to key stakeholders across the organization.
• Contract & Project Evaluation:
  Critically review and evaluate the accounting treatment for high‑value new or modified contracts and projects, ensuring alignment with current standards.
• Complex Transaction Documentation:
  Lead preparation of comprehensive technical accounting papers for complex transactions and business issues, explaining impacts on Group financial statements and ensuring full stakeholder understanding.
• Standardisation & Guidance:
  Champion consistent application of accounting policies Group‑wide, engaging operating companies to provide expert assistance and clarify complex scenarios.
• Cross‑Functional Advisory:
  Collaborate strategically with internal departments (Tax, Treasury, Legal, M&A) and operating companies, offering specialist accounting advice that underpins critical business decisions.
• Knowledge Sharing & Development:
  Elevate Group expertise by creating and delivering training programs and timely accounting updates to diverse audiences.
• Reporting Assurance:
  Partner with the Group Reporting team to safeguard accuracy, timeliness, and full compliance of all periodic financial reports with accounting standards and regulations.
• Financial Statement Input:
  Provide authoritative technical accounting input and review for Group financial statements, ensuring precision and adherence to standards.
• External Audit & Advisor Liaison:
  Facilitate smooth engagements with external auditors and advisors by providing comprehensive information, support, and expert responses.

Required Qualifications and

Experience:

• Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent) with significant experience in a dedicated technical accounting role, either in public practice or industry.
• Multinational experience within a large multinational organisation, ideally with exposure to UK and US public company reporting requirements (e.g., LSE, NYSE, NASDAQ).
• Deep subject matter expertise in IFRS, SOX, internal control frameworks, and SEC regulations.
• Exceptional analytical and research skills to determine appropriate accounting treatments for complex scenarios.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distil and articulate complex technical matters clearly to diverse audiences.
• Self‑motivated with proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver timely stakeholder support.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders and defend accounting conclusions robustly.
• Commitment to challenging existing processes and proactively identifying opportunities for continuous improvement of accounting policies.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel for complex financial modelling) and strong overall IT literacy.

What we’ll offer:

• Passionate, inspired people – a culture where people can do extraordinary work.
• Scale and opportunity – the chance to create, influence and complete projects at an unparalleled industry scale.
• Challenging and stimulating work – unique projects with a team of creative problem solvers.

Equal Opportunity

Employer:

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.