Job description
The SVP, Controller is responsible for overseeing all accounting operations and financial reporting for the agency. This role ensures accuracy, compliance, and efficiency across financial processes while supporting leadership with clear insights into agency performance, client profitability, and cash flow. The ideal candidate understands the nuances of media and advertising finance, including client billing, media payables, and accounting for various types of revenue streams, including project-based, retainer, commission and technology fees. Reports to the CFO and will have direct reports.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Financial Management
· Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and month-end close
· Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP
· Partner with Legal and Client Finance to review client contractual terms and scopes of work to ensure appropriate accounting of revenue recognition methodology
· Ensure timely and accurate revenue recognition, including client retainers, project-based fees, and media commissions
· Responsible for managing the month-end closing activities, including variance analysis and monthly reconciliation of balance sheet accounts.
· Ensure accruals/reserves are sufficient and review of spend for correctness and appropriateness of classification.
· Oversee and manage the balance sheet, including account reconciliations. Monitor risks associated with ageing balances for A/R, A/P, unbilled media and other key accounts. Advise of provision requirements as necessary.
· Oversee client billing processes, including media billing, pass-through costs, and reconciliations
· Ensure compliance with match pay and sequential liability
· Manage and track cash balances, including reconciliation of client and agency cash balances on a monthly basis
· Work closely with Human Resources to ensure payroll and benefits are accurate and paid timely.
Compliance & Controls
· Develop and implement policies/procedures in support of and consistent with Company Objectives.
· Maintain and improve internal controls to safeguard company assets
· Ensure compliance with tax filings, audits, and regulatory requirements
· Manage relationships with external auditors, tax advisors, and banking partners
· Manage annual audit with external audit firm
· Responsible for maintaining a relationship with the Company’s lending bank, including the management and review quarterly bank covenant calculations
Systems & Process Improvement
· Own and optimize financial systems and tools (ERP, billing systems, time tracking, etc.)
· Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability of financial processes
· Support system implementations or upgrades as the agency grows
Leadership & Collaboration
· Manage and mentor accounting staff, fostering a high-performing finance team
· Collaborate closely with leadership, operations, media, and client service teams
· Act as a trusted financial advisor to senior leadership
Required Skills/Abilities
· Excellent verbal, and written communications skills
· Ability to work in a fast pace, high energy environment to support our growing business
· Experience scaling finance operations in a growing organization
· Possesses a strong work ethic and initiative with a mindset of accountability and ownership
· Ability to solve problems and handle complex details
· Independent judgment and takes initiative in absence of specific directions
· Proficient in various accounting, financial and MRP/ERP software use
· Familiarity with media buying platforms such as Mediaocean and Strata
Education and Experience
· Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration; Master’s or MBA preferred
· Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Accountant designations a plus
· 10+ years cost/managerial accounting experience in a manufacturing environment, with advertising experience preferable
BarkleyOKRP’s Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
- We believe being radically diverse and inclusive is the key to becoming one of the world’s great creative idea companies. By embracing everything that makes our partners who they are and what makes them unique to the world around them, we create the conditions and capacity to help creative, original thinking thrive.
- BarkleyOKRP is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging as part of our corporate strategic goals, supported by a formal DEI+B program, Employee Resource Groups, Director of Diversity leadership and agency commitment to The Brand Lab, Creative Accelerator, Fellowship, MAIP, and BLAC.
