Client Finance Manager

Who we are:

Burson, part of WPP, is the global communications leader built to create value for clients through reputation. With highly specialized teams, industry-leading technologies and breakthrough creative, we help brands and businesses redefine reputation as a competitive advantage so they can lead today and into the future. When you work at Burson, you are part of a global community of lifelong learners who thrive at the edge of innovation.

WPP (LSE/NYSE: 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. For more information, visit WPP.com 

For more information visit bursonglobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

More about the role:

Burson is seeking a Vice President, Client Finance to support key areas of our business. This role will join a collaborative finance team that partners closely with practice leadership and client leads to help manage the financial health of the business. Reporting to the EVP, Finance Director, this role will be primarily responsible for:

• Leading day-to-day client finance support across a portfolio of accounts.
• Managing core finance activities tied to revenue recognition, contract grid management, forecasting, billing coordination, and financial oversight.
• Partnering closely with client leads and practice leadership to understand account activity, anticipate changes in scope or pacing, and ensure accurate financial treatment.
• Working across finance systems and reporting tools, including Excel, Maconomy, and SAP, to maintain strong financial controls and support business decision-making.
• Bringing a highly detail-oriented, organized, and hands-on approach to the role while helping the team navigate a fast-moving and closely scrutinized financial environment.

What you'll do:

• Serve as a trusted finance partner to account and practice leaders, maintaining regular communication on account status, pacing, and upcoming activity
• Navigate Maconomy as a core day-to-day system and work within broader WPP finance processes as needed
• Use strong Excel skills to analyze data, work through finance files, and support accurate reporting and account management
• Review client contracts, scopes of work, amendments, and change orders to assess appropriate revenue treatment to prepare and maintain contract grid
• Prepare and maintain detailed revenue and percentage of completion trackers
• Apply revenue recognition principles to determine appropriate monthly revenue recognition on each client contract
• Review direct cost accruals with project managers to determine appropriate timing of expense recognition and alignment with revenue recognition
• Support the month-end close process, including preparing P&L and balance sheet schedules, journal entries, prepaids, revenue accruals/deferrals, and reconciliations
• Prepare and maintain month-end financial supporting documentation in accordance with internal controls and audit requirements

Experience that contributes to success:

• Proven experience supporting quarterly and year-end financial reporting.
• Significant experience in finance, client finance, accounting, or financial management within an agency, professional services, or similarly structured environment
• Strong understanding of client billing models, including fee-based work and the financial implications of account activity over time
• Experience supporting revenue recognition, contract management, forecasting, and account financial oversight
• Advanced or highly proficient Excel skills, including expertise with Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, INDEX & MATCH, SUMIF, and a solid understanding of formula nesting, with the ability to work comfortably in detailed financial files and support data-driven analysis
• Experience using finance or ERP platforms; familiarity with Maconomy, SAP, is a plus
• Ability to build effective working relationships with client leads, practice leaders, billing partners, and finance colleagues
• Experience with improving processes and reporting efficiencies
• Strong attention to detail and comfort operating in a highly scrutinized, control-focused environment
• Sound judgment and the ability to connect financial data with business context
• Organized, dependable, and able to manage multiple priorities across a varied portfolio of work
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and stepping into a role that supports immediate business needs

Burson 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.