Finance Manager

Role Overview

The Finance Manager, FP&A is responsible for leading financial planning, analysis, and operational finance for the Canadian business within a service-based advertising and technology-enabled agency environment. This role is the primary finance partner for Canada, ensuring strong financial governance, accurate reporting, and actionable insight to drive performance.

Reporting into the US-based Head of Network Finance for the Cheil Agency Network, this position works cross-functionally with Canadian leadership and global finance stakeholders, supports treasury and payroll operations, and ensures Canadian compliance
(tax, audit, and statutory requirements). The role provides financial analysis and deal support while escalating commercial terms and high-value approvals per established leadership thresholds.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual forecasting and budgeting processes for the Canadian business.
• Deliver executive-ready reporting packages with clear variance analysis, forward- looking insights, and performance commentary.
• Build and maintain financial models for revenue, resourcing, utilization, and profitability in a service-based delivery model.
• Partner with operational leaders and account teams to monitor margin performance,
  cost drivers, and delivery health.

Financial Reporting, Close, and Controls

• Oversee the monthly close process in Net Suite for the Canadian entity, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of the P&L and balance sheet.
• Maintain strong balance sheet discipline including reconciliations, accruals, and working capital oversight.
• Ensure alignment with network reporting requirements and support consolidation needs for US-based finance leadership.
• Maintain and enhance internal controls, policies, and documentation to support audit readiness and compliance.

Treasury & Cash Management

• Manage day-to-day treasury operations including cash forecasting and liquidity planning.
• Oversee foreign exchange exposure and related processes (e.g., FX monitoring, execution support, and reporting).
• Collaborate with AR/AP stakeholders to optimize cash flow, reduce aging, and mitigate financial risk.

Payroll & People

• Oversee payroll administration through ADP, ensuring accurate and compliant processing across provinces.
• Partner with HR on headcount planning, compensation forecasting, and benefits coordination as required.
• Ensure payroll practices align with applicable provincial requirements and internal policy.

Tax, Audit & Compliance

• Manage Canadian tax compliance, including GST/HST/QST filings and coordination of corporate tax requirements with external advisors.
• Ensure compliance with multi-province legal and regulatory considerations relevant to finance operations.
• Serve as the primary finance contact for both internal and external auditors and advisors for Canadian audits/reviews; coordinate PBC requests and drive timely completion.
• Support year-end statutory reporting and filings as needed.

Contracts, SOW/MSA Review & Commercial Support

• Review Statements of Work (SOWs) and certain Master Service Agreements (MSAs) for financial risk, operational feasibility, and margin implications.
• Provide deal economics analysis (e.g., staffing assumptions, cost-to-serve, margin expectations) and present recommendations to leadership.
• Escalation/Approvals:
  Anything over $500K must be escalated to Head of Network Finance and Cheil Agency Network General Counsel

Systems, Data & Process Improvement

• Act as a key Canadian finance systems owner/user for Net Suite and ADP, ensuring data integrity and reporting accuracy.
• Apply strong data analytics capabilities to improve insight, reporting quality, and forecasting accuracy.
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities across reporting, close, and planning cycles.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or Canadian equivalent in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field (CPA strongly preferred).
• 7+ years of progressive finance experience, ideally within an advertising agency, professional services, or tech-enabled services organization (service-based delivery model).
• Proven ability to manage and develop an integrated finance team, driving collaboration across FP&A, accounting, and operational finance.
• Demonstrated success working in an international / inter-country environment, including reporting into US-based leadership and operating in a matrixed organization.
• Strong understanding of financial statements with deep expertise across P&L and balance sheet drivers (and their impact on cash/working capital).
• Working knowledge of Canadian taxation (including GST/HST/QST) and experience coordinating tax compliance with external advisors.
• Experience supporting audit processes (internal and external), including strong documentation, control discipline, and PBC management.
• Experience reviewing/working with SOWs and MSAs in a client services environment.
• Systems proficiency:
  Net Suite and ADP, plus advanced Excel and…