Finance Manager

About Innocean

Innocean are the biggest agency you’ve never heard of. With 31 offices and more than 3000 employees in 21 countries. We’re the fastest growing agency network in the world.

Opening doors in Australia in 2008 with two foundation clients; Hyundai and Kia. Since 2020 the Sydney business has been on a mission to diversify our roster which now includes FMCG, NGO, Medical, Tourism and Technology brands, not to mention our own Gender Equality our own Gender Equality not for profit division called Fck the Cupcakes.

We’re a proud and ambitious group of over 50 creatives, strategists, account people, technologists, analysts, and producers who work together in a flat and collaborative environment. Building creative solutions across all touchpoints on a consumer’s journey with a brand.We’re proudly Korean, uniquely Australian; striving to create a culture that embraces a Korean concept called ‘Jeong’. An ineffable but mutually warm feeling of attachment between people who share a relationship and common purpose.

This feeling of connection underpins everything we do. It’s how we create bonds between brands and consumers, and between us and our clients. Thinks of us as an extension of your marketing team. One with strategic, creative and CX capabilities to deliver work that connects across multipleplatforms, driving acquisition and retention.

About the Role

The purpose of this role is to oversee the financial operations, group reporting and compliance obligations of the business, so that short term and long term decisions are financially sound. The role owns the month end close, balance sheet integrity and overhead control, and prepares the consolidation reporting pack submitted to HQ. It is accountable for the company's tax and regulatory compliance, including company income tax, transfer pricing, BEPS Pillar Two, Country by Country reporting, BAS and FBT. The role partners with client account service and production teams on cost management and job profitability, and leads and develops the finance team.

Innocean offers flexible working, so it’s whatever works best for you. With that in mind, the below applies whether you’re in the office or WFH.

Leadership

• Manage the finance team, communicating key strategic priorities and allocating daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly tasks.
• Review and approve work prepared by the Financial Accountant and Junior Financial Accountant.
• Identify training and development needs and provide appropriate solutions.
• Maintain documented process notes so key finance processes are not dependent on a single person.
• Act as a point of escalation for the team and for the wider business on finance matters.

Month End & Financial Control

• Own and deliver the month end close to the agreed timetable, including completion of the General Ledger, balance sheet reconciliations and P&L statements.
• Process and review sales WIP and cost WIP, including recognition, release and ageing review.
• Reconcile time entry data and ensure recoverability is correctly reflected in WIP and revenue.
• Prepare and post manual journal entries on balance sheet WIP accounts, supported by workpapers and evidence of review.
• Review and substantiate all balance sheet accounts monthly, clearing aged and unreconciled items.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual management reporting, including performance commentary and variance analysis.
• Own cash flow forecasting, budgeting and reforecasting, and monitor working capital.
• Develop strategies that minimise financial risk and support long term business planning.

Overhead Control & Balance Sheet Integrity

• Own overhead control end to end, including budget to actual tracking, variance analysis and challenge of spend with budget holders.
• Maintain the fixed asset register, including additions, disposals, depreciation runs and annual verification.
• Maintain the prepayment schedule and ensure amortisation is complete and accurate each month.
• Prepare and own the overhead accrual breakdown, ensuring accruals are supported, current and released appropriately.
• Apply and maintain IFRS 16 lease accounting, including the lease register, modifications, remeasurement and disclosure inputs.
• Assess, implement and maintain compliance with new and amended IFRS standards applicable to the business, and prepare accounting position papers where required.

Group Reporting & Consolidation

• Own the Trial Balance and ensure mapping to the HQ chart of accounts is accurate and current.
• Prepare and submit the consolidation reporting pack to HQ to the group timetable, including monthly performance, monthly forecast and quarterly IFRS reporting.
• Identify, reconcile and confirm all related party and intercompany transactions and balances with subsidiary and affiliated companies.
• Prepare the cash flow report and supporting movement analysis for group reporting.
• Prepare and own the notes to the consolidation report, including all required disclosures.
• Provide analytical commentary on results, explaining the drivers of performance to HQ and local management.
• Manage the external audit process and act as the primary contact for auditors.

Tax & Compliance

• Prepare and lodge the monthly BAS and manage GST, PAYG and related obligations.
• Prepare the annual FBT return and manage FBT data collection through the year.
• Own the company income tax return process, including tax effect accounting and liaison with the external tax agent.
• Maintain transfer pricing documentation, including the local file, master file inputs and intercompany agreements, and monitor related party pricing outcomes.
• Manage BEPS Pillar Two obligations, including domestic minimum tax calculations, GloBE data collection and coordination with HQ.
• Prepare Country by Country reporting and Public Country by Country reporting submissions within statutory deadlines.
• Monitor changes to Australian tax and regulatory requirements and assess the impact on the business.
• Ensure the agency minimises risk arising from tax rules and the requirements of regulatory and government bodies.

Business Partnering & Cost Management

• Partner with client account service and production teams on job and campaign cost management, from estimate through to final reconciliation.
• Review job profitability and recoverability, and escalate jobs at risk of overservicing or margin erosion.
• Drive timely closure of completed jobs and release of the associated WIP.
• Provide finance guidance on scopes, contracts, purchase orders and supplier commitments.
• Educate non-finance teams on cost control, time recording and finance process requirements.
• Provide accurate advice on the financial impact of both short term and long term business decisions.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement improvements to finance processes, systems and reporting, including automation of manual tasks.
• Stay up to date on industry trends, accounting standards and advancements.
• Lead and actively participate in team meetings and share ideas and feedback.

About You

Qualifications

• CA / CPA qualified

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• 5+ years post qualification experience, including some leadership experience.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including IFRS 16, and the ability to interpret and apply new accounting standards.
• Experience preparing consolidation and group reporting packs for an overseas parent or head office.
• Hands on experience with Australian tax compliance, including BAS, FBT and company income tax.
• Exposure to transfer pricing, BEPS Pillar Two and Country by Country reporting, or the technical capability to take it on.
• Experience within a commercial role and using data analytics tools.
• Advanced Excel and confidence working with large data sets and finance systems.
• Agency, professional services or other project based WIP experience is an advantage.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build and maintain effective business relationships with non-finance stakeholders.

Values

• Fearless.
• Proactivity.
• Humility.
• Agility.
• Daring.

The Perks

There are a whole range of reasons you would consider working for us – check out the list below:

• Competitive salary.
• Individual Professional development.
• Regular appraisals and 360 feedback.
• Hybrid working.
• Client sponsored benefits.
• Progressive parental leave policies.
• Floating leave.
• Pet friendly environment.

We are committed to offering an equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. To express your interest in the role, please send your updated CV/resume and a cover letter to leah.evans@innocean.com.au.