Finance Director

The Finance Director is responsible for overseeing the company’s overall financial operations, including project finance, expense and card management, accounting (SAP FI/CO), tax, payroll, financial closing, reporting, and compliance. The role ensures accurate financial data, timely statutory submissions, and supports management with strategic decision-making through robust financial analysis and reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Financial Management (Gate)
• Approve and monitor new project job creation and activation.
• Review and approve cost estimates, ensuring alignment with budgets.
• Oversee AP postings and AR invoicing related to project activities.
• Validate BQMS (Business Quality Management System) entries for compliance.
• Perform revenue checks, including recognition of project revenue in accordance with accounting standards.
• Expense Management
• Review and approve employee expense claims in line with company policy.
• Supervise posting of parked expense documents to ensure timely clearing.
• Provide training and guidance to staff on expense claim processes.
• Strengthen internal controls for expense reimbursement and policy compliance.
• Card Management
• Manage corporate card issuance, control, and monitoring processes.
• Review and approve card-related claims, ensuring proper documentation and authorization.
• Conduct regular audits of card usage to prevent misuse and ensure compliance with company policy.
• Financial Accounting (SAP – FI)
• Oversee Accounts Payable (AP), ensuring timely and accurate supplier payments.
• Monitor Accounts Receivable (AR), ensuring efficient collection of outstanding invoices.
• Manage intercompany transactions including recharge of RHQ costs, NTS billing, rent recharge, and interest billing.
• Ensure accurate posting and reconciliation of IT recharge transactions.
• Conduct monthly bank reconciliations to ensure proper cash flow management.
• Supervise calculation and communication of intercompany recharge processes.
• Financial Closing & Controlling (FI/CO)
• Manage month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial closing processes.
• Review foreign exchange (FX) transactions and temporary accounts for accuracy.
• Ensure timely recognition of period expenses.
• Monitor monthly and forecasted revenue, headcount-related costs, and other operating expenses.
• Lead CO (Controlling) closing activities, including cost allocations, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Provide variance analysis between forecast and actual results to management.
• Taxation & Payroll
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of VAT and corporate tax returns.
• Oversee payroll processing for all employees, including expatriate reporting (e.g., P11D).
• Manage compliance with local payroll laws and taxation requirements.
• Liaise with external auditors and tax advisors to ensure statutory compliance and optimize tax efficiency.
• Reporting & Compliance
• Prepare and review company cash flow statements for management visibility.
• Oversee balance reconciliations to ensure integrity of financial data.
• Prepare and consolidate monthly, quarterly, and annual group financial packages.
• Lead internal and external audit activities; prepare and review audit reports.
• Deliver management reports including forecast vs. actual variance analysis.
• Ensure compliance with national statistical reporting requirements.
• Conduct contract reviews from a financial risk perspective.
• Maintain and update supplier/client registers.
• Miscellaneous & Governance
• Oversee subscription-related financial checks and approvals.
• Drive continuous improvement of financial processes and controls.
• Support strategic decision-making by providing financial insights and risk assessments to senior management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline (CPA, ACCA, or equivalent preferred).
• Extensive experience in progressive finance and accounting, with significant leadership exposure.
• Strong proficiency in SAP FI/CO modules and financial closing processes.
• In-depth knowledge of IFRS/local GAAP, tax regulations, and payroll compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead audits, manage intercompany transactions, and deliver consolidated reporting.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to translate financial data into actionable insights.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-departmental collaboration skills.

About Cheil: Welcome to Cheil, based in London and Chertsey - a group of thinkers and doers who make things that move. We build campaigns. Shops. Robots. One-of-a-kind-experiences. Anything that transports people, brands and products rooted in digital innovation. It’s an approach that’s seen us partnering with the likes of Absolut, Coca-Cola, Samsung and Jaguar Land Rover, creating enduring ideas for any marker – and within any medium. As a full service agency we’ve got plenty of experience in shopper marketing, experiential, traditional advertising, social, retail design and sponsorship – awards to show for it, too. In the past few years we’ve earned our share of Cannes Lions, Clios, POPAIs and Kinsale Sharks. As part of Cheil Worldwide, Cheil UK plays its part in one of the world’s biggest agency networks – comprising 53 offices and eight affiliates in 42 countries globally.

The perks you can take advantage of in return…

• 25 days holiday
• 1 extra day off for moving house
• 3 extra days off for wedding or Civil Partnership
• Discounted Samsung products
• Discretionary company bonus scheme, subject to bonus scheme rules
• Money off gym membership
• Stakeholder pension
• Group Income Protection
• Private medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme