ET Project Accountant - 6 month FTC

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. 

We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. 
 
We have been building the world's most valuable brands for 50 years and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.
 
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. 
 
For more information, visit WPP.com.
 

Why we're hiring:

To help drive our ongoing transformation, we are hiring a Project Accountant for a 6-month fixed-term contract. In this role, you will play a key part in securing our financial operations during this pivotal transition. We are looking for the right candidate to start as soon as possible.

What you'll be doing:

Project Management

• Deliver Key Projects: Drive the successful execution of ET Finance projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Track & Mitigate Risk: Maintain project plans, monitor progress, and proactively identify and mitigate potential risks.
• Data & Stakeholder Coordination: Partner with cross-functional teams (including Tax, Treasury, Technology, and Operations) to collect, cleanse, and model critical finance data.
• Strategic Support: Work closely with the ET Finance - Transformation Senior Manager to drive key initiatives and achieve strategic goals.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Modelling

• Modernise Budgeting: Help design and implement a newly revised budgeting process for ET.
• Financial Modelling: Build robust financial models using large, complex datasets to support strategic decision-making and investment planning.
• Analysis & Insight: Perform high-level financial analysis (including trends, variances, and profitability) to deliver actionable insights that improve business performance.
• Collaborate on Planning: Partner with stakeholders to gather requirements and ensure budgets and forecasts align with overall business objectives.

Communication & Collaboration

• Engage Stakeholders: Communicate clearly and effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Senior Management Reporting: Prepare high-quality, executive-ready presentations for senior leadership.
• Stay Agile: Adapt quickly to changing business priorities, tackling ad-hoc projects and requests with a flexible, problem-solving mindset.

Process Improvement

• Drive Efficiency: Identify opportunities to optimize and automate financial processes and systems.
• Standardise Workflows: Develop, implement, and document Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
• Stay Forward-Thinking: Keep up to date with industry best practices and emerging trends in finance and technology.

What you'll need :

Qualifications & Experience

• Fully Qualified: ACA, ACCA, or CA.
• Group Reporting: Experience in financial reporting for large, complex, multi-currency group consolidations (ideally UK/US listed) is desirable.
• Fast-Paced Delivery: Proven ability to deliver under pressure, particularly during change programmes and year-end close.
• Big 4 / Public Accounting: Prior experience (ideally Big 4) is highly desirable.
• Technical Standards: In-depth knowledge of IFRS is desirable.

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Systems: Advanced Excel skills; experience with ERPs (e.g. SAP, Oracle) is desirable.
• Data & Visualisation: Experience managing large datasets and using tools like Power BI or Tableau is highly preferred.
• Financial Modelling: Strong analytical skills with the ability to build accurate models and assumptions.
• IT Finance: Knowledge or experience of IT finance principles is preferred.

Project & Stakeholder Management

• Project Delivery: Excellent organisational skills with a track record of meeting tight deadlines.
• Communication: Ability to explain complex financial data clearly and tactfully to stakeholders at all levels.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive & Collaborative: A self-motivated team player who is delivery-focused and open to feedback.
• Detail-Oriented: Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.
• Adaptable: Flexible and resilient in a fast-changing environment.

 

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?

#LI-Hybrid 

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.

Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wpp.com/en/careers/wpp-privacy-policy-for-recruitment) for more information on how we process the information you provide.