Group Technical Accounting Director

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients, and communities.

Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 100,000 talented people dedicated to doing extraordinary work for our clients. We operate in over 100 countries, with corporate headquarters in New York, London and Singapore.

WPP is a world leader in marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent. Our clients include many of the biggest companies and advertisers in the world, including approximately 300 of the Fortune Global 500.

Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow. 

Why we're hiring:

We are seeking an experienced IFRS technical accounting expert to join our team in London as Group Technical Accounting Director. This is a pivotal role focused on ensuring WPP’s accounting policies are compliant with IFRS and providing compliant, commercial IFRS accounting advice in support of commercial, M&A and other business transactions.

Reporting directly to the Group Financial Controller, you will lead IFRS accounting compliance across WPP, heading a small, professional team. This is a fantastic opportunity to apply your IFRS technical accounting expertise within a leading global organisation. As our Group Technical Accounting Director, you will steer and oversee a diverse range of technical accounting needs across our global operations in over 100 countries.

What you'll be doing:

Drive excellence in technical accounting across WPP

As the Group Technical Accounting Director, your responsibilities will include:

• Ensuring IFRS Compliance: Monitor existing and new accounting standards and regulatory pronouncements to ensure WPP's full compliance with IFRS.
• Impact Assessment & Communication: Evaluate the impact of new accounting standards, communicating changes and updating policies for stakeholders promptly.
• Authoring Technical White Papers: Develop IFRS accounting white papers for complex transactions, ensuring Group accounting adheres to IFRS.
• Managing the Accounting Policy Manual: Maintain a compliant, usable, and relevant Group accounting policy manual for all WPP entities.
• Promoting Policy Consistency: Support networks and operating companies to ensure consistent application of accounting policies Group-wide.
• Advising on Complex Scenarios: Collaborate with internal departments (tax, treasury, legal, M&A) and operating companies to provide expert accounting advice for decision-making.
• Overseeing External Reporting Accuracy: Partner with the Group Reporting team to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant external financial reporting.
• Reviewing Key Financial Filings: Review the Group’s IFRS financial statements, UK Annual Report, and SEC 20-F filing, advising on technical disclosure matters.
• Managing Auditor Relations: Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors on all IFRS technical accounting issues.

What you'll need:

We are seeking a collaborative and impactful technical accounting leader to drive excellence within WPP. You will be a highly capable financial professional with a proven track record in IFRS technical accounting within complex, multinational settings.

Your qualifications and experience should include:

• ACA qualification (or equivalent) coupled with profound IFRS technical accounting experience, acquired either in a leading practice firm or a senior technical accounting role within industry.
• Demonstrated experience operating within a large multinational organisation, ideally with direct exposure to UK & US listing requirements.
• Extensive, well-established expertise in the practical application of IFRS accounting standards, complemented by working knowledge of SOX and robust internal control frameworks.
• Superior analytical and research acumen.
• Exceptional communication abilities (written, verbal, and presentation), allowing you to distil and articulate complex accounting matters with clarity and simplicity.
• A highly self-driven individual committed to delivering timely, high-quality results and adept at managing a dynamic workload of both immediate and strategic deliverables.
• A resilient and collaborative team player, skilled in engaging with multiple stakeholders and capable of embracing challenge and change constructively.

Who you are:

You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

What we'll give you:

Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work.

Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?

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We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

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.

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